Shona (on the right) and Harry
About Shona
I started running to get back into shape when my children went to school, and though I didn't find it easy at first, I stuck with it and - rather to my own surprise - learned to love it. I found it really helped me to cope with stress and anxiety, and gave me a boost when I was feeling low.
I really wanted to share this experience with others, so eight years ago I qualified as a UK Athletics Level 2 coach and have been coaching ever since, specialising in beginners and intermediate runners. When Harriet and I got talking about the importance of running for mental health it became clear that it was something we both felt very strongly about, so I was delighted to set up Up and Running with her. I know our ladies appreciate her calm, reassuring presence and support – and so do I!
As the years have gone by we’ve seen a lot of women benefit from the group and form strong, supportive bonds with each other. In 2012 we were awarded Most Inspirational Group Leader by Women’s Running magazine for our work with the group, and in turn we are often inspired by our runners.
I aim to be a supportive and sympathetic coach, and to make the course a positive and achievable experience for all. And very importantly, we have a laugh and a chat as we go – it’s a lot of fun!
I really wanted to share this experience with others, so eight years ago I qualified as a UK Athletics Level 2 coach and have been coaching ever since, specialising in beginners and intermediate runners. When Harriet and I got talking about the importance of running for mental health it became clear that it was something we both felt very strongly about, so I was delighted to set up Up and Running with her. I know our ladies appreciate her calm, reassuring presence and support – and so do I!
As the years have gone by we’ve seen a lot of women benefit from the group and form strong, supportive bonds with each other. In 2012 we were awarded Most Inspirational Group Leader by Women’s Running magazine for our work with the group, and in turn we are often inspired by our runners.
I aim to be a supportive and sympathetic coach, and to make the course a positive and achievable experience for all. And very importantly, we have a laugh and a chat as we go – it’s a lot of fun!
About Harriet
I am a clinical psychologist, and I have worked for many years with people with varied mental health problems - both in the NHS and now in private practise. I had always thought that I 'couldn't run', but I completed a beginners course with Shona about five years ago and with her encouragement and guidance I discovered to my great delight and surprise that I could. I have been running regularly ever since, both on my own and in groups, where I have made some really strong friendships.
I have been so amazed by the power of going for a run to change my mood and help me to manage my stress levels and keep myself level and steady, and particularly to counter my terrible PMS which can often make me feel very low for a week or two each month. It felt like an astonishing gift, and I wanted to encourage other women to discover this too. So I was delighted when Shona suggested we should set up a group specifically aimed at women with mental health problems who might feel anxious about starting out, or struggle with their motivation.
My role in the group is very much a supporting one - Shona is the coach and leads every run, but I am there to offer support and encouragement, and to talk with our runners about their mental health if that's what they want. But I always stress that we are a running group not a therapy group and there's absolutely no pressure to discuss it at all if people don't want to. The aim is just to learn to run and enjoy doing so in company of others who understand where you're coming from.
I am a clinical psychologist, and I have worked for many years with people with varied mental health problems - both in the NHS and now in private practise. I had always thought that I 'couldn't run', but I completed a beginners course with Shona about five years ago and with her encouragement and guidance I discovered to my great delight and surprise that I could. I have been running regularly ever since, both on my own and in groups, where I have made some really strong friendships.
I have been so amazed by the power of going for a run to change my mood and help me to manage my stress levels and keep myself level and steady, and particularly to counter my terrible PMS which can often make me feel very low for a week or two each month. It felt like an astonishing gift, and I wanted to encourage other women to discover this too. So I was delighted when Shona suggested we should set up a group specifically aimed at women with mental health problems who might feel anxious about starting out, or struggle with their motivation.
My role in the group is very much a supporting one - Shona is the coach and leads every run, but I am there to offer support and encouragement, and to talk with our runners about their mental health if that's what they want. But I always stress that we are a running group not a therapy group and there's absolutely no pressure to discuss it at all if people don't want to. The aim is just to learn to run and enjoy doing so in company of others who understand where you're coming from.
