So we are almost in 2016, and while my mind is processing the years events I figured rather than run you through my favourite races of the year what better time to have a quick reminder of some of the years most controversial and provocative blog posts. Over the last month or so I seem to have gathered a few more hundred followers to my blog, so its only right to let you in on the year I’ve had.
So let me walk you through 2015, starting with my shocking revolution in January which explained why I wasn’t so keen on the traditional couch to 5k programme. At this time of year you literally have thousand of women downloading apps and posting on social media about their progress, and then by February there is an erie silence, so this blog post discussed why I thought this was the case.
What was also happening behind the scenes was I was in negotiations with ITV’s This Morning to showcase my 5 weeks to 5k programme where I would take 3 non runners and get them to the 5k distance with just 5 weeks of mindset and running training. I also published a book of the same name, and now run regular online coaching programmes which are proving invaluable to women who need a bit of support to get into the habit…the next one starts in January and we still have a few places if you are interested.
In February I got a lot of interest and a bit of backlash for my tongue in cheek post entitled 10 Reasons Why Fat Runners Walk, which went into a bit of detail about the physical and psychological reasons why you might see overweight runners walking during races…this is always a topical issue at this time of year as the club runners start moaning about how few London Marathon places actually go to “real runners”.
The spring months with its slightly brighter weather brought with it some practical advice about How to Simply Get Out the Door, which is often the biggest obstacle. Its like theres a force field preventing me from getting out, but once I get out I am fine…who knew a front door could have such power. Get out and then see what happens, thats what I say.
April was a busy old time for me. Let me think I was half way through my 5 weeks to 5k slot on national TV (Damn it feels good to say that), I ran the London Marathon with a team of 5 special TFTR ladies which also involved being featured in the BBCs coverage and having the pleasure of being interviewed on Tower Bridge by the beautiful Denise Lewis. Oh and then the small matter of winning Best Blog in the Running Awards 2015…what a night, what an achievement…and from little ole me…OK not so little, but in terms of my position in the traditional running landscape.
I got a bit political in May, around the time of the general election which was quite ironic, as I posted the article Don’t Give Up Your Right to Run all about the negative messaging which often puts women off playing sport. 2 million fewer women than men play sport in this country, now why the hell is that? and what the hell can we do about it?
No let up in June…oh and it was my birthday on the 5th (take a note for 2016 peeps, I accept flowers, chocolates and fully funded transatlantic holidays to partake in exciting city half marathons). This month I wrote Is Walking Part of Your Race plan, promoting our new kit slogan but also making a point that some runners purposely walk as part of their plan, not just because we are knackered or lazy.
July was an important month for plus size runners, as the american Runner World publication was the first to put a fat runner on the font of their cover. My response was I don’t look like Erica Schenk when I run and thats OK, making reference to the fact that most plus size runners are not that attractive when we train, well I’m not thats for sure.
In August I realised I had a bit of a problem with signing up to too many races each year, but then noticed some of my followers suffer from the opposite disorder Sign-up-A-phobia, so I gave my top 10 tips for picking a race.
I took a bit of a break in September and flew out to Pefkos in Greece to meet a fellow TFTRer and check out a possible location for a TFTR health and happiness retreat…yep thats right in May next year I will be leading an exclusive running retreat specifically designed for plus sized runners…we only have 8 places left so you had better get in quick if you are interested.
I did manage to blog too though, and I focussed on a public health message that really grates on me, asking if We Can Please Stop Blaming the Sofa…inactivity is of course a massive problem in the UK, but using shame tactics doesn’t help…and I just so happen to love my sofa, for the rare occasions I actually get to lay like broccoli on it.
Sticking with the public health messaging, an area where the TFTR campaign seems to be heading of late in October I wrote the blog post “Is The Sugar Tax Shaming” off the back of the controversy over whether to bring in a UK wide Sugar Tax. I featured on Sky News giving my 2pence worth, my main point asking why the media were using images of Fat people in their coverage when Sugar consumption is an issue for everyone. I also ran the Race for Life Half Marathon as their Ambassador for the first time…looking forward to getting more involved in their important work next year.
As we rushed towards the end of the year I stumbled across a lot of media interest in November over a new report showing evidence that you cant be fit and fat. A flawed piece of evidence in my opinion, which was used by the media to bash women, despite being a study that only focussed on 18 year old men. My blog post Stop Telling Fat Women They Can’t be Fit and Fat was read by thousands of women and gave me just the right level of determination to launch my latest book NewYear, Same You which is getting incredible feedback and reviews at the moment.
I didn’t really mean to write a book this year, well I did actually, but it was supposed to be called “Scream if you want to go faster” however I promised I would only release that one after getting my 5k time down to 30 minutes…30.06 is my fastest to date and that was some months back. So I put my efforts into writing a book that was less about running and more about how to find balance in terms of health and happiness as an overweight women…it was the best decision I made all year.
Decembers most provocative post, came off the back of a pretty shocking global news story where a well respected nutritionist thought it was a good idea to launch a diet programme called “Stop Being A Fat Bitch” career suicide some said, PR success said others…whatever the opinion I simply say No its not OK to call me a Fat Bitch this was a close second to the shocking headline that said “Obesity is a greater thjreat to the Uk than terrorism, and I made that the theme of my legendary Xmas Day Speech Video
2015 has been one hell of a year. Wow. Looking back at how much I achieved in just 12 months, and how much coverage the campaign has had it scares me to think about where we might be in another 12 months time…but as I always say if your goals don’t scare you they are not big enough.
Make 2016 the year for Big Fat Stupid Goals, and stick around for the ride next year to help me get more women running and smiling, although not at the same time cos that sometimes looks a bit scary!!
Happy New Year…for later of course, I may well be too incoherent by then to remember to post this.