Running for my life!

3 minute read

advice / stories

24th March 2021

Elouise Sylkie Pemberton

I took up running back in 2014 in an attempt to loose weight and get healthy. Little did I know that the benefits I would gain would far outweigh any numbers on a scale!

Before I started running, I went through a period in my life where I couldn’t stick at anything longer than a few months - jobs, hobbies and new ventures. I would start things and give up before I had chance to succeed, I did this over and over again. Never feeling good enough to chase my dreams and settling for work and relationships that made me unhappy.

It was a really difficult time in my life. I had been independent from the age of 18, trying my best to make a good life for myself, I had completed courses and an apprenticeship and was on my way to building the career I had always wanted. After loosing my Dad when I was 21, the years that followed where very hard. My confidence was at an all time low and I ended up in toxic relationships and just couldn’t break the cycle. I was a smoker, I worked in bars and had a really unhealthy lifestyle. Drinking way too much and not caring about my diet or my health. I would get out of breath just walking up the stairs. I put on weight and I hated myself. I hated the way looked, I felt uncomfortable in my clothes and I was going through waves of depression.

I sought help, I went through counselling and decided to take up running. I began making new friends in the running community, I started loosing weight and feeling fitter and my confidence grew. I began to realise my own worth and that I was capable and deserving of so much more.

Running gave me the confidence to know that I am capable of anything I put my mind to and helped me accept that the things you really want to achieve take time, dedication and patience.

My life has turned around in ways I could have never imagined. I passed my driving test, I progressed in my career to a point I feel like I have my dream job. I met the man of my dreams. I lost weight, I got fit, I joined a running club and recently a basketball team. My life is filled with amazing people and I am happy!

Over the past six years, I have been through difficulties and life changing events, relationship break downs, moving home multiple times, deaths and illness in the family and struggling with anxiety and depression but running has been a constant all the way through. It’s been my escape, my therapy, my strength and my hope. And despite all the difficulties life has thrown at me I have had the will and the strength to power through and succeed.

In this time of uncertainty, running is a lifeline more so now than ever. So I plan on taking on the Miles for Mind challenge, I pledge to run 100 miles in May and raise funds for Mind, a charity that I really feel a connection with because I have been in very dark places over the years and I know that it is possible to change things around, it is possible to find happiness. All it takes is to put one foot in front of the other and keep on moving.

Running has taught me…

Committing to something and really sticking by it for the long haul, even if there is no certainty or clear sense what you can achieve, if you just stick by your decision and follow it through, amazing things really do happen.

Running is not just about strengthening and conditioning your body. It’s not just about beating your times or weekly milage. It's about personal growth and realising your potential in every aspect of your life. It’s about the people you meet and the places you see. It’s about committing to yourself, counting all the small victories, getting to the starting lines and right through to celebrating your end results. Whether that be a racing event, a parkrun or even an interview for your dream job!I have since been delving into other sports too. Here’s one from an Aquathlon last year.

About me
Elouise Sylke Pemberton
Location: Blackburn, UK

Affiliations:
UKA runner for Trawden AC since 2015
Rossendale Raptors Ladies Basketball Team since 2019

Follow my journey:Instagram: @sylkiesports