Find out how Gabby discovered a love for athletics
I’m Gabby, I’m 16 years old, and from South Yorkshire. I discovered the Big Sister project through my school and, with my huge love for sport, I decided to get involved and become an ambassador.
Sport has always been a big part of my life from a very young age. I went to a very encouraging primary school which helped me to join in with lots of different sports. I did everything from football to netball, until I found my passion in athletics.
When I was 9 years old, my headteacher encouraged me to take part in a Sheffield Primary Schools cross country race and I found my love for running from there. After that, I joined a local running club and I now take part in middle distance athletics. Which consists of mainly 800m and 1500m track races, which is a mix of aerobic and anaerobic exercise.
There are so many things that I love about middle distance running. As running is a very sociable sport, I’ve formed great friendships with so many people in my training group, I’m able to go on runs with my friends and talk about anything that may be bothering me, which helps to get any problems off my mind. As well as training and going on runs, I also compete at a high level. I travel all around the country and take part in competitions. This has helped me gain confidence and perseverance and has helped me become a more outgoing person.
Even if you choose not to race in competitions, you can still get all these benefits without the need to compete. I’d advise setting yourself realistic goals to get the sense of achievement when you complete that goal. Exercise also releases endorphins such as serotonin, which is a ‘feel good’ hormone. I always feel so much happier after going on a run or competing in a race. If I’ve had a stressful day, or I’m not in a great mood, getting out and going for a run changes my mood and will always improve how I feel. Running is also a great way to achieve fitness goals.
Getting involved in running for the first time might feel nerve racking as it’s a new experience but it’s also easier to begin if you go with a friend. Although running is amazing, there can be some setbacks, and you always want to be the best you can be, so if you don’t perform to the level you would have liked to, then it can feel frustrating. But I take this frustration and use it to motivate me to perform better on my next run. Overall, I find that running is a great way to stay fit and improve your mood!
It's really easy to get involved in running! If you are interested in running for a club, you could search for local athletics or community clubs in your area and go from there.
Events such as local Park Runs are great too, or grab a friend and go for a jog in your local area or nearby park at a time of day that suits you!
Gabby 🙃
Find out more about getting involved in running:
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