The report below was written for us by Mark, one of the newer members of BMHH. We approached Mark to provide a short statement about his experience joining our club as his progression has been outstanding. Instead, Mark returned to us a detailed testimony that we are so proud to share:
Billingham Marsh House Harriers
Report by Mark Gibson, September 2024
My journey started about 3 months ago – when I finally came to terms with that fact that being inactive, along side my previous job of a coach driver, wasn’t doing my health very good.
I always had a passion for running. I used to compete locally and nationally for Jarrow and Hebburn AC. Here, I competed mainly in short distances, from 60m all the way through to 400m.
My competitive streak was always challenged. Competing against some of the best runners in the country at the U15,17 level and national English schools events. I teamed up with Durham into a Octathalon squad and we finished first down at Birmingham. Unfortunately, the real world took over, and with exams looming I slowly disappeared from the sport.
Fast forward 16 years of work and being lazy, I found myself at the heaviest and un-fittest I’ve been in my life. For a 6ft broad man weighing in at 19stone, running was a worry to me. I wondered whether my body could handle all that extra weight hitting the road, especially with my own wedding looming in a years time.
This is where Billingham Marsh House Harriers came into it.
I first contacted them regarding whether they would have suitable sessions for someone who had been out of the sport for so long – worrying that they wouldn’t cater to someone who would struggle to run a couple of miles non-stop.
This is where Adele came in (club treasurer). She got back in contact with me, explaining how they cater to anyone – nobody gets left behind. At first, I was a little unsure if she quite understood that it would be a walk/run for me, but after a couple of weeks of me bottling it at the last minute of training day, I finally plucked up the courage to turn up.
Adele met me in carpark of the club and was extremely friendly and approachable. She introduced me to the club Secretary and Chairman, and various other coaches and members of the club. They all made me feel very welcome very quickly.
My first training session was with a man named Roy, an absolute smashing bloke, and I explained that this was my first time running for many many years. So as we set out on my first run, it was exactly like I imagined. I was stopping and starting, struggling to get a pace and struggling to keep running. I instantly felt as if I was going to be a hindrance to Roy and the group, however, he stayed by me, constantly encouraging and constantly motivating me – not one ounce of negativity from him whatsoever.
We finished my first run in about 40 minutes, with a whopping 2.2 mile distance covered. Regardless, it was done, I was back, it was complete.
Two months further down the line, I was meeting with the club twice a week (Monday and Thursday) and doing park runs (5k) every Saturday.
The miles were getting faster and the distance was increasing – pulling in a park run (5k) at a time of 34 minutes. Within two months I could see the progress. I’d lost over half a stone in body weight and I was feeling fresh, fitter and more energetic every day.
Then, I was approached by one of the coaches (Mike), who leads the sessions for the faster group for the club, asking if I’d like to come along. I tried explaining that my mile times were not that fast, and that I wouldn’t want to slow the others down. Despite this, we set of, and they made me feel so welcome. Looping back and encouraging me on, whilst different members of the group took it in turns to run along side me, encouraging and pushing me on.
Just over a month later, after running with the faster group and having coaches encourage and push me on, I completed my first 5k race. I pulled in an amazing time of 30:21. I ran at a pace of 10mins per mile, a whole three and a half minutes per mile quicker than my first ever run for the club. I’d also lost a stone in weight in just over 3 months.
Billingham Marsh House Harriers have been fantastic in supporting me right from day one; any worries or questions I’ve had they have been there to answer.
Since joining, I’ve encouraged my wife to be to join, and also took my 9 year old autistic son along as well. Both of them have found it very welcoming and supportive – especially my son. They met his additional needs amazingly and Rachel (Junior Coach) was incredible with him.
To me they are more than just a club, they have become my running family. I look forward to seeing where I’ll be in a years time from now.
Whether your nervous about your very first run, or think your to unfit or overweight to run, give it ago. Come speak to the club – they really do cater to everyone and you’ll never be made to feel like you don’t belong.
