The Blog

Let’s Get Moving a little more each day

I’m delighted to have become a Let’s Get Moving Champion to help encourage people in Melton to move a little more each day for all the benefits being active brings. The Active Together campaign chimes with our ‘for beginners to winners’ ethos at Melton Sports.

I’ve run since I was 11 and I’ve never been more than a distinctly average club runner which really is my point. I go out three or four times a week primarily for fitness, fresh air and to feel good.

To keep myself motivated I enter a road or trail race every six weeks or so, while my current personal goal is a virtual Olympic challenge of 250km from the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens to the Ancient Olympia Stadium in Olympia. Every run chips away at the distance. 

To prevent niggly injuries and improve my flexibility and balance I attend a stretch / pilates class (with Laura at 360-fitness-health-wellbeing.com). But my main challenge as a runner, beyond advancing age and a dodgy hip, has been with my breathing post Covid.

I was diagnosed with asthma in my 20s and running regularly always helped me with the condition. When running, I can get into a good rhythm and breathe more deeply. Covid set me right back, however, and it took a good 18 months to get back in control of my breathing with the help of inhalers and, of course, running.

I am a big believer in the power of sport to improve both physical health and mental well-being, and at Melton Sports we love nothing more than helping people of all ages and abilities and hearing about their goals and challenges.

I’m also proud to work as a fundraiser for local sports and education charity the Belvoir Cricket & Countryside Trust. We open up sporting opportunities and access to the countryside to primary age children and youngsters with Special Education Needs & Disability (SEND) to get them up and active from an early age and inspire them to lead healthy, happy, active lives. We reached nearly 5,000 children this year.

In Melton we recently celebrated Let’s Get Moving Week with 71 activities at venues across the borough, and 1,156 participants including 188 newcomers. The Let’s Get Moving Awards are due to return for a second year later this autumn, so watch this space.

• For ideas and inspiration to get active and improve your health go to www.active-together.org/letsgetmoving and follow ActiveLLR on social media #LetsGetMovingLLR