My running story: Doncaster Athletic Club members explain why they started running and what they love about it

So this week we feature the personal running stories of four members of Doncaster Athletic Club – revealing how and why they took the plunge.

Neil Blair

It is coming up to my second year of being a Pacer.

With work stress and high blood pressure it was time to lose some weight and I decided to start running. How my mates laughed and promptly opened a book on how long I would last! No one predicted this long for sure.

I was never sporty at school – always picked last and or always on the subs bench.

My running journey started when I met Rose at Doncaster Parkrun. I only went to see what it was all about and she mentioned the Couch to 5K programme. A week later and after a rousing talk I was signed up and ready to go.

After the nine weeks, and on completing the Doncaster 5k at the end of the course, I knew I would continue running because I had met a fantastic group of people who took me under their wing.

Dee Schade

I’m the slowest Pacer but I keep turning up and smile, dance and sing a lot (very badly but I dont care!).

I hated running for as long as I can remember. When I was at school I thought anything longer than 100 metres belonged in the Olympics!

But in 2015 I joined a group and did the beginners course which I really enjoyed. However, the group didn't have a graduate option and I struggled and eventually gave up.

I missed running and so I joined Doncaster’s Pacers in January 2018 and despite it being a really cold beginners course I loved it.

I did the LiRF (run leader) course last year which I really enjoyed and learned lots. I really enjoy seeing people who have never run and can’t ever imagine running for 30 minutes.

As for my running I have done 48 Parkruns, several 10k and, amazingly, a half marathon!

I love the social aspect of the Pacers and the amazing support and encouragement. I have made so many good friends through the club and have loved the many socials.

Michael Reynolds

I have been in Doncaster since I was about seven years old, I’m 35 now, having moved from nearby Newark.

I was active growing up, playing in the school’s rugby team. We won numerous trophies.

I don’t have the patience to go to the gym, I’ve been a few times and not lasted long. It was only when my wife started to run, I thought I could give it a go. Who knew that first mile would be so hard and horrible?

I bought my first pair of running shoes but without anything to aim for I got bored and wasn’t enjoying it.

One day my wife told me she had booked me a race. It turned out to be the 2016 Great North Run! That gave me a kick-start to train and put the miles in that I needed to complete the race.

I’ve covered various distances but wanted to push myself a little further so I entered the 2017 Yorkshire Marathon and last year I completed my first 50k Ultra.

I joined the club in August 2018 and it has been one of the best decisions of my life. Everyone has different reasons to be there but it is the friendliness and the willingness to help others which makes its an amazing club to be a part of.

I have learnt a lot of useful tips which I wouldn’t have considered if I was running out there alone and being a part of the club has helped me push myself further and helped me achieve many PBs over the last couple of years.

I was asked once where my happy place was and without thinking I said when I am running. Previously I have been stressed, tired with work, taking it out on the wrong people but to go out for a short period of time in the glorious sunshine or even pouring rain to clear it all away is amazing.

Becky HB

I’m a proud Yorkshire woman and in my youth represented my county in swimming, cross country, athletics, orienteering and cycling. I’ve pretty much always taken part in some form of sport and I do have a competitive streak but I’m equally happy as a team member.

I started training in Barnsley but a spontaneous rupture of my Achilles tendon put paid to middle distances for me.

I began running again around 1994. I was fortunate to run the London Marathon three times as it was never as hard to get in. My first attempt was based on zero training. It was a painful experience, I finished in bits but vowed to train and give it the respect it deserved.

My road running continued in fits and starts but ill health put a sudden end to it.

I moved to Doncaster around 2010 and although I worked in the area I didn’t know it. My running was a way to get to know the locality.

My comeback year was 2016. I entered the weird and wackiest events ranging from The World Coal Carrying Championships to a central London 10k dressed in a full gorilla suit. Edinburgh Marathon proved to myself I was back to full strength. Following the Cotswold 24-hour event I decided after much badgering from my partner to join a club. The rest is history! New York Marathon followed.

I’ve learnt I may not be fast and the high pressure of road events is not for me, I used to be physically sick with nerves or unable to leave the loo before the start. Escape, night time, self navigation and multi-day events are what I strive to do best. I’ve competed in events from 5k to 100+ miles.

I get equally as much pleasure from supporting others through nurturing or leading trips and adventures. The Becky Bonus miles are now well known.