Caroline Hastie

What made you join FM?

Weighing in at almost 22 stone I knew I needed to do something about it. I began running around the block (well if you could call it that!) so with eating healthy and joining a gym I managed to shed the weight (8 stone). I ran the Humber Bridge Half Marathon twice and the Hull Marathon. My intention was to prove that I could do it then NEVER run again. But all the way around the marathon course I heard an Army of pink and blue supporters cheering me on. It felt amazing and I wanted to be a part of that! So on a cold dark October evening I walked through the doors of Cottingham Pavillion and to this day I have never looked back. I was welcomed with open arms. in my first official week as a Fitmum I took part in the 5 in 5 challenge getting to experience the Fitmums on a larger scale and what an amazing organisation it truly is!

What was your original goal?

To learn more about becoming a better runner, to meet like minded people and be part of the Fitmums Army.

What else have you done?

This past year I have become a leader in running fitness, became a Visually impaired Guide Runner, ran the Humber half and the Hull Marathon (supported by the Fitmums race angels) done the Normanby Hall adventure race, which included climbing over all manner of obstacles and getting covered in mud. I also took part in a 6 hour endurance race @Ellie on the Humber’ dressed as Ursula from The Little Mermaid…and NO having 8 legs does not make you run any faster!!

I was also successful in becoming the Club Coordinator for the Cottingham branch which is something I am very proud and passionate about!

What are you planning for next year?

I’m not really one for competitive races so will just be doing the same as last year really. On the other hand I can always be persuaded to get involved in more.

What would you tell someone who was thinking about joining FM?

Two words…Do It!!

We are a club like no other, with a fantastic support network we offer something for all abilities. We have walkers, runners (both pacey and steady) Cycle Squad, Coached sessions, Buggy sessions, mini challenges (5 in 5) epic challenges (Coast to coast/tour de Yorkshire) and even a yearlong challenge (365 challenge). There is simply something for everyone! 

Fiona Griffths

What made you join Fitmums & Friends?  

I joined as one of the originals! meeting on Sams drive, just to get out of the Bath Time Routine once a week!

What was your original goal?   

To get fitter and meet people, and to be able to talk and run at the same time.

What else have you done?

Trained to be a Leader, an Assistant Coach and now a Coach. And Sung with the Choir

What are you planning for the year ahead?

I have particularly enjoyed the Total Warrior event recently, and am hoping to do more of these running/obstacle events in the future

What would you tell someone who was thinking about joining FM?  

Just come along, you’ll get so much more out of it than just getting fitter.  

Melanie Boughen

What made you join FM?

I was already running -although not far or fast - when Fitmums came along. As you may be aware there were 5 people who met one night on Sam's drive way, I was one of those 5. I have been involved with Fitmums from the very start, I trained to be a run leader in 2010 and I am a committee member for Cottingham, as well as a Session Coordinator of the Monday morning sessions at Blue Kangaroo & the Friday night sessions.

What else have you done?

Since attending that very first run, I have achieved more then I could ever have imagined. My P.E teacher would be shocked !! I used to walk the cross country runs at school !! I have completed numerous 10k's, Hornsea 1/3 Marathon, 2 Half Marathons

(Benidorm & Bridlington) & this year I completed the Manchester Marathon. I was very please to have gained a huge PB at the Beverley 10k this year -knocking 6min 19 secs off my previous time. Roll on next year for another chunk to be taken off.

What are you planning for next year?

I have entered the London Marathon for next year, fingers crossed I gain a place - if I don't, I hope to do Manchester again. I'm looking forward to knocking off more minutes from my current PB's and increasing the list of races I enter.

What would you tell someone who was thinking about joining fitmums?

What would I say to someone who doesn't know wether to give us a try .......

Why not ?? What's the harm in trying something different ? Just come along and see if we're the club for you. We as a club have such a lot to offer,from our Walking group to Buggy Burn & Running sections we cater for all. We'll see you on your first session and you will wonder, why didn't I get there sooner !! 

Jan Nolan 

What made you join FM?

I was brought membership to Fitmums as part of a Christmas present in 2013 and what a great present it turned out to be! 

What was your original goal?

My goal was to get a better level of fitness, be able to walk faster, meet new people and feel a part of a walking/running group. Fitmums has lived up to all these expectations and more besides.

What else have you done?

In the Spring of 2014 I successfully completed a UK Athletics Leaders in Running & Fitness course to become a Walk Leader. I now share the responsibility of Leading the Cottingham Fitness walking group on Wednesday evening with Amanda. I also joined the Fitmums Choir which has been great for team building, socialising, raising money for charity and hopefully becoming slightly more melodic in the process. I was recently elected Chair of Cottingham Fitmums.

What are you planning for next year?

For this September I have organised relay teams of walkers/runners who will take part in the Hull Marathon. For next year, who knows we may do something similar in other events. 

What would you tell someone who was thinking about joining Fitmums?

Just do it! Everyone is made to feel so welcome, there is a great team atmosphere, excellent opportunities for continuous learning and development, lots of expertise & support in the Club. Fitmums promotes Best Practice as demonstrated by the many local, regional and national awards its Founder Sam Barlow and Fitmums have won.   

Debbie Gronow 

What made you join FM?

I joined Fitmums as I has heard through a friend it was a very supportive running group that embraced everyone's level of fitness , I had attempted running before , but would give in a little too quick and got bored on my own.

What was your original goal?

The first goal I set myself, was quite simply at first to run a mile without stopping.

What else have you done?

I have also done lots of 10k races (now without stopping) , made some great friends, had adventures in the Lake District, sang in the Fitmums choir, supported the Fitmums cycle squad to Oxford and proudly became a run leader.

What are you planning for next year?

My plans for next year are to continue with all the fun activities both fitness orientated and social, continue to be a run leader hopefully participate in the cycle squad and enjoy at Fitmums trip to Portugal!

What would you tell someone who was thinking about joining Fitmums?

I would tell someone thinking of joining not to hesitate, it truly is one of the nicest clubs to be a part of. Everyone is so supportive of each

other, regardless of their ability. You can meet new people, have fun, boost your self-esteem and of course get fit along the way!

Helen Collins

What made you join FM?

 I was encouraged to come along to Fitmums by another run leader and I have never looked back. Before joining I was full of self doubt - I felt I was too slow, too fat and that running and being in a running club was not for me. For my first session I wore joggy bottoms and fashion trainers - I had no kit - why would anyone where Lycra?!! It was the support of both the run leader and fellow runners that I managed to gently plod around 1 mile. The feeling of achieving this was amazing. There were high 5's and a round of applause. I ached for days after but told everyone with pride what I had managed to do. 

What was your original goal?

My original goal was to run a mile and I achieved this in my first session. The goal was then to stick to running - soon I became a regular attender at the club - pounding the pavements in proper running trainers and Lycra. 

What else have you done?

Wow where do I start ........10ks half marathons, assistant coach for fmjs, Lyke wake where I ran 29 miles on one day, choir, total warrior and a marathon!!!! To name but a few.

What are your plans for next year?

No plans for the next year ......yet!!!

What would you tell someone who was thinking about joining Fitmums?

I would explain to others about the positive impact running has had on my life. I have lost weight, I can run and most importantly I have the energy to run around after my two energetic boys. My running has been mentioned in show and tell at school as well as featured in stories and mentioned in maths!!! My boys regularly attend fmj's and have been inspired to compete in funruns. My husband has been motivated to run too!!! I have made some fantastic friends, talked through highs and lows in life, put the world to rights and laughed loads!!!!!!! If I can run then anyone can .....just try it.

Neil Thompson.

What made you join FM?

I joined because Mary finally managed to convince me to join a club called Fitmums! 

What was your original goal?

My original goal was to support Mary and to improve my fitness/lose weight. 

What else have you done?

When I first joined Fitmums running 4 miles was a daunting prospect. I still remember being out on a run one night and Sam saying 'why don't you try a five!' Since then I have completed numerous marathons and other races as well as doing a coaching and leaders course through the club!

What are your plans for next year?

Next year I have various races in the pipeline as well as an October marathon (possibly abroad) to celebrate my 40th birthday. 

What would you tell someone who was thinking about joining Fitmums?

If you are thinking about joining, just do it, you won't look back!

Lindi Day

What made you join FM?

I’d seen the ‘Pink Ladies” around the village and read bits about Fitmums in the local papers, but took a while to pluck up the courage to go. I finally got my nerve up after talking to a Fitmum at an open day held at the Pavillion one weekend. I went the following Wednesday and I’ve never looked back.

What was your original goal?

To run a couple of miles a couple of times a week, maybe get a little bit fitter and hopefully make a couple of friends

What have you done since?

I seem to have become a running junkie. After being persuaded by Fiona that I should try to run a 10k that first summer I got the racing bug. Since then I’ve run 10k, 10 mile, half marathon and full marathon distances. I’m also joint Social Secretary with Helen, we try to make sure that there’s more to Fitmums that ‘just’ running. I organize the annual Lyke Wake relay with coach Neil, where we run across the North York Moors as a team, we now do this in memory of Colin Watson a member who originally suggested this challenge. I’m also an Assistant Coach, involved with delivering the FMJ’s sessions. I’ve no idea what I did with my time before I joined Fitmums to be totally honest!

What are your plans for next year?

The biggest thing in my running year is the fact I qualified for the 2016 London Marathon with a Good for Age time, thanks to an amazing training plan and support from our coaching team, especially coach Neil. My main goal is to continue enjoying my running. 

What would you tell someone who was thinking about joining Fitmums?

Do it! But be prepared for things you hadn’t expected to happen – giant butterfly in Freedom Festival springs to mind! You will meet some fantastic people and do things that surprise you more often than you’d think possible. You’ll also get fitter and go for some great runs into the bargain.

Vicky Moore

What made you join FM?

I joined to keep fit after having to give up horse riding.

What was your original goal?

My goal was to run 6 miles.

What else have you done?

I've done the 7 mile major series. I have also become a voluntary leader for Cottingham and Beverley Fitmums, I am a PND support worker, and helped set up Fitmums Juniors which makes me feel very proud.

What are you planning for next year?

Next year I want to do total warrior.

What would you tell someone who was thinking about joining FM?

Its a really fun and easy way to keep fit and I've made some really good friends. The social side is great...I won rear of the year this year at Fitmums Awards night... so I would also say running gives you a shapely bum ...honest!

Sam Barlow

What made you join FM?

I seemed to have invented it!

What was your original goal?

To make some friends. That worked! I’ve made the best friends that have helped me through the hardest bits of my life.

What else have you done? 

I became a run leader, assistant coach and I am now training to be a full athletics coach. I have had too many ideas and I am strongly encouraged not to have any more but they just keep on bursting out of me!

What are you planning for next year?

I hope to qualify in May 2015 as an Athletics Coach (fingers crossed). I am SO excited about starting our new Ten to Teens athletics session in January. I am also excited about launching a new scheme to support people who need a Fitmums helping hand to get active. I am hoping to make it to the start line of THOR (cycling 210 miles from Hull to Oxford) and I can’t wait for the Fitmums Choir to start again in January. I think I’d also better do a bit of running – starting with Ferriby 10. Quiet year ahead then!

What would you tell someone who was thinking about joining FM?

Don’t think anymore..just go and try it – you will get the best welcome and support to achieve whatever you want.

Alex Abel

What made you join FM? 

What was your original goal?

What else have you done?

I have ran the Hull Marathon twice and did the  Loch Ness Marathon. I have also competed in the National and Northern Cross Country Championships. 

What are you planning for next year?   

I am planning to do lots

What would you tell someone who was thinking about joining FM?

Dave Sunman

What made you join FM?

My wife and I did the couch to 5k then started on the 5k to 10k but then Linda joined FM’s and not being keen running on my own I joined a few weeks later on the promise that there other blokes there, honest.

It was just to be able to run 10k, having been put off running at school, clearly a long time ago, and it seemed a good way to lose weight. I might not have lost much weight but I have made some great friends.

I joined in 2012 and did my first 10k, Beverly in 2013. Since then I have done quite a few 10k’s, a few half Marathons and a couple of Marathons. The Marathons are generally as a weekend a way with a group of friends with a bit of a run thrown in.

I also joined the cycle group when that was formed and have done several of the multi day challenges. Although I enjoy the cycling, I prefer the running.

What are you planning for next year?

Nothing exciting, just to continue with my running and cycling, I am hopefully running the delayed London Marathon in October, so training for that will resume shortly.

What would you tell someone who was thinking about joining Fitmums?

It may be a little daunting walking into a room full of people who all know each other, but you will be made more than welcome.

I have not run with any other running club, but I can’t believe any are as supporting as FM’s is. Give it a try, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.