Sometimes the hardest part of exercise isn’t knowing that it’s good for us. It’s actually making the time to do something for ourselves.
For our September Runner of the Month, Pia, that was exactly what prompted her to join Reigate Ladies Joggers.
A neuro-physiotherapist, mum and busy family woman, Pia spends much of her working life encouraging other people to keep moving, stay active and do their exercises.
“I always tell my patients that they need to be doing their exercises,” she says. “So I need to make sure I do my exercises too!”
Pia joined RLJ in February after spotting our First Month Free offer.
“I felt I needed to start doing something for me.”
And that one decision has quietly turned into something much bigger.
From occasional runs to a regular routine
Before joining RLJ, Pia was already doing Parkrun and heading out for the occasional run on her own. But she wanted running to become a more regular part of her week.
That’s where RLJ made the difference.
Running alongside other women gave Pia the routine, encouragement and company she needed to get out more often, without taking the fun out of it.
“I really enjoy running with RLJ as we chat and go on running adventures.”
And all those ordinary weekly runs have added up.
A new 10K achievement
Pia’s proudest running moment so far came at Run Reigate, where she completed the 10K in an incredible 55:20.
“All my running with RLJ definitely helped me achieve this,” she says. “I feel happier and healthier.”
It’s exactly why we love celebrating our Runners of the Month. Progress isn’t always about chasing PBs or entering bigger races. Sometimes it’s simply about showing up consistently, finding people you enjoy running with and discovering just how much you’re capable of along the way.
Although, in Pia’s case, there are definitely a few bigger adventures on the horizon.
What’s next?
For now, Pia’s main goal is beautifully simple:
“To just keep running.”
But she would also love to take on the Run Reigate Half Marathon next year and there’s one dream sitting a little further down the road too.
“I would really love to do the London Marathon one day.”
We wouldn’t bet against her.
For anyone sitting at home wondering whether they’re “enough of a runner” to join RLJ, Pia’s advice is simple:
“I would definitely recommend anyone wanting to run while having fun to join RLJ.”
And really, that sums it up perfectly.
You don’t need an ambitious race goal. You don’t need to be fast. You don’t even need to know exactly where running will take you.
Sometimes you just need to decide to do something for yourself, turn up for that first run and see where the adventure goes.
Congratulations Pia, our very deserving September Runner of the Month.
Could this be your turn?
Pia didn’t join RLJ because she had a huge race goal or because she already saw herself as a serious runner.
She joined because she wanted to do something for herself, run a little more regularly, and enjoy it along the way.
Since then, she’s built a routine, found a community, run a brilliant 10K PB and started dreaming about a half marathon and even the London Marathon one day.
Your reason for starting might be completely different.
Maybe you want to get fitter. Maybe you need some headspace. Maybe you’d simply love to meet more women and make running feel less lonely.
Whatever brings you to us, you don’t need to be fast, fit or experienced to start.
Come and explore Reigate Ladies Joggers and see what running with us could look like for you.
