by Eliza Sterling

Many of us may entertain the daunting aspiration of completing a marathon sometime in our lives, but for an acclaimed radio host and podcast presenter, the feat is set to be celebrated for the ninth time! As we inch closer to April 23, the thrill and anticipation for the impending marathon run could not be higher for her, especially given the arduous journey of battling injuries and reclaiming her health she has had to undertake to get to the starting line.

The charm of the London Marathon lies in its iconic status and electric atmosphere, she asserts. Even for someone who has lived through this experience multiple times before, the event drawing thousands of ambitious runners never loses its charm. Indeed, the ever-growing camaraderie among the participants and the infectious energy of the vast crowds form a spectacular ambiance that lifts you and bolsters your determination. And the moment you cross that finish line? It’s a moment of unparalleled triumph and exhilaration, no matter how gruelling the run might have been.

However, the journey to the finish line is not without its bumps and hurdles. Our podcast presenter learned this profound truth the hard way when an intense training session resulted in damaging her IT band and being diagnosed with gluteal tendinopathy. This not only resulted in a halt to her running but also cast a looming shadow of fear about the implications it might have on her mental health.

Determined to not let this setback decimate her spirit, she started replacing running with walking. The everyday commute became her walking track. The fresh air and the continued maintenance of her step count filled the void left by her running sessions.

As she charted her recovery journey, she discovered the myriad benefits of collagen. Initially taken to counter the rigors of running, she realised its benefits extended beyond exercise recovery to improved skin and hair health. This realization led to the launch of her own liquid marine collagen supplement back in April 2020, which has shown promising results in not just slowing the ageing process but also aiding exercise recovery and promoting muscle growth.

The radio host had heeded the call of CrossFit but injury fears kept her from returning to it post-recovery. Beginning the journey anew, she engaged a personal trainer who customized strength and conditioning routines to accommodate her injury recovery. The pivotal role of strength training in not just improving performance but also preventing injury was a realization she stumbled upon during this recovery phase.

In December last year, she resumed running albeit tentatively so as to not risk injury again. Her previous marathon training had to be significantly moderated to correspond with her newfound caution.

14 years removed from her first marathon, she credits her continued participation in the event to her indefatigable resolve and unquenched passion for running. With the passage of time, her personal life, too, underwent vast changes that impressively never succeeded in dampening her marathon spirit. She plans on exploring other avenues of running, like trying her hand at fast 5Ks and 10Ks, vowing to never let go of her enduring love for running.

Our esteemed radio host’s fitness regimen is a well-rounded mix of running, gym sessions and golfing, tailored around her professional commitments. Whether commandeering the Early Breakfast on the radio at 4 am or completing her day with another job stint in the evening, exercise has been her lifeline. It was in these regimented schedules that the concept of running home came into existence. The act of running stimulated her enough to battle fatigue and gave her the boost she needed to continue through the day.

Making time for running and maintaining an active lifestyle have become harder to balance with her ever-evolving schedule. During such times, running assumes a cathartic quality that helps centre her, offering clarity of thought, tranquility and the energy to navigate through her packed day.

Throughout her arduous journey, she picked up valuable insights which she hopes will prove beneficial to her listeners. Be it pushing oneself to rise early for a run, seeking motivation by sharing your progress with a friend, or preserving the memory of the post-run euphoria through a photograph, each of these tips casts running in a more endearing light.

A good sports bra, cushioned running socks, collagen supplements, supportive shoes, and a favorite pair of shorts are on the list of her running-based essentials, reinforcing the importance of quality gear in enhancing and maintaining her performance levels.

From being a casual runner to becoming an inspirational figure in the running community through her popular podcast, this pioneering woman is truly an embodiment of strength, resilience and an unwavering passion for the sport she holds dear.

resilience, overcoming injury, injury recovery, strength training, collagen supplements, marathon training, motivation, running essentials, quality gear