Lisa’s running journey began just over 11 years ago, with an aim to regain fitness. She had just welcomed her son Alex into the world and was living in England with her partner Andy. She had travelled as a student to the UK for 12 months placement as part of her Hospitality degree, and that’s how she met Andy. Seven years later in 2010, Lisa, Andy and Alex returned to her hometown of Cohuna and moved to Moama in 2012.
Lisa is an active person, she goes to the gym a few times a week in her lunch break, and in usual times always looks forward to parkrun. Lisa and her family have embraced parkrun and particularly enjoy special theme days where they can dress up. Parkrun has become so much of a routine that they have planned holidays around parkrun destinations. In fact in 2020 they had planned to be in Las Vegas for Lisa’s 100th parkrun on their honeymoon – but COVID has postponed wedding and honeymoon plans for now.
An overseas trip involving running was a highlight of 2019. Andy’s sister was turning 50 so a family celebration in San Francisco was planned – specifically the United Airlines Rock n Roll Half Marathon. As Lisa generally only runs 5km once a week she embarked on a training plan, put together by her sister Sarah, a triathlon coach. The plan included 3 runs a week, gradually increasing the distance each week.
Lisa loves running events, and was especially excited to be travelling to San Fran and meeting up with Andy’s 2 siblings and their partners. The event started in the dark at 5.30am and was a scenic, hilly course. A highlight was the sunrise with a beautiful view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Lisa approached the 21 kms as 3 segments – first the 10km and once completed she caught her breath and in her mind she then just had the equivalent of 2 parkruns to do, which she knew was achievable. She completed the half marathon in 2 hrs 28 minutes and was rightly proud of her achievements.
Running with Alex is also something that Lisa cherishes. Although he might whinge and moan occasionally he really does enjoying running with his mum. In May this year Alex and Lisa completed Run with the World, a virtual marathon. Between the two of them they ran 42.2km over three days. This event was put together at the beginning of the pandemic, just as events were being cancelled.
Running has had a positive impact on Lisa’s life. She’s achieved her initial aim of increasing fitness, and has experienced so much happiness through running.
Congratulations Lisa! It’s wonderful that running is such an enjoyable part of family life.
