”RUNNING CAN EMPOWER YOU”

44-year old Jeni Mendes from Cumbria believes running has helped her be the best version of herself

“I started following a Couch to 5K training plan in 2018 to try and get back to pre-pregnancy levels of fitness. Once I finished, I found a local running club and although fitness was still a priority, running became an opportunity to make new friends and allowed me to rediscover my own sense of identity outside of being a mum.

“I don’t feel there are any obstacles to being a female runner in your 40s except those we put on ourselves. I’m a mum to two young boys and work full-time so I can find it difficult at times to put myself first instead of everyone else.

“The event I am most proud of is completing a 100-mile race across the North Downs Way. In 2018, I crossed paths with some runners competing in the event and was blown away by the thought of such an epic feat. Four years later, I had gone from following a Couch to 5K training plan to finishing the event myself.

“In 2023, a friend and I decided to run the Paris Marathon to raise money for charity. As an added twist, we started at the London Eye and ran to the start line in Paris! It was an incredible adventure; just us, our backpacks and running shoes with a few hurdles (like our ferry being cancelled due to rioting in France) thrown in for good measure.

“Running can empower you to take control of one aspect of your life and use it to improve your health and wellbeing. My words of wisdom for anyone starting out running would be to find what works for you and to embrace it. You don’t need to eat the same way or train the same way as the latest running influencer. Just give yourself the chance to be the best version of yourself and enjoy the journey.”