If you happen to live in Italy and also happen to run, you may know who I am. I’ve been a columnist in a national running magazine for over 17 years. I’m well known for a best selling book I wrote (in Italian) on women’s running and creating a women’s running movement with free running clinics.

But if you don’t live in Italy you might just be thinking… “Who the heck has a race named after them?”

Starting line

I know, it’s crazy and I have to say that last year when the organizing committee added my name onto “Running Festival” I cringed a little. But this year it felt right. There were so many women there that I personally knew, in the end it just felt like a big party that I had invited 1000 of my best buddies to.

In countries such as the UK, France and Germany women’s participation in running events ranks somewhere around 35 to 40%. In the USA there’s actually more women runners than men. In Italy we’re somewhere around 12%. So Running Festival is just another instrument to try and inspire women to take care of their health, starting with physical activity.

Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink

Shauna (a.k.a. my partner in crime) wrote a lovely blog post about our Up & Running LIVE retreat. It was so incredible to meet with women we’d been training online for almost a year. Connecting an avatar to an actual face takes about ten seconds. The live version of Up & Running was so much better than we could have ever hoped for. I am truly grateful for how wonderful this entire adventure turned out and I can’t wait to create more events like it.

All week people had been asking which Running Festival race I’d be running – the 1.5k, 6k or the 10k. My decision was made when my son Evan asked me to run with him in the kid’s race. Evan follows me on his bike when I go on long runs so I was really happy to be able finally run with him. I told him to line up at the back and to start out slow. It was so wonderful watching the stream of pink shirts go through the park…

Finish line thoughts…

Evan and I exited the park and onto the streets of Bologna and his first words were “I smell pizza”.

While the main field of runners went straight we turned right onto a cobblestone street. I told him we could walk a little, and we did so for a few minutes then he announced, “I’m really hungry”. Youth and fast metabolisms.

We turned another corner and were already back at the park so we decided to run the rest of the way, straight to the finish line. He was really happy about being “first”. I gave him a big hug and went back onto the race course.

Can never get enough hugs from this guy…

While I was running I had noticed that they’d put the water station in an awkward position for the runners and since I’m bossy like that I had them move it to the left side of the street. Much better!

run!

I stayed around to say hello to runners on the course and then went back up to the finish line. Sonia Ruffini had already come in first and second was the lovely Laura Ricci. I didn’t leave the finish line until the very last runner came in.

I'm positive I high fived just about everyone!

I still get asked why I run. It’s never a simple answer and depending on when it’s asked the answer is going to be different. Today I can say that I run because it gets me high. It’s a mix of adrenaline and endorphins, but it’s mostly the wonderful people I get to meet through my running endeavors. And that’s a high that’s good for your health and won’t ever fade away. I’m still on it!

Sonia Ruffini 2012 Winner

The awesome 2012 JJ Running Festival "medal"

Get 20% off all our e-courses,training guide downloads and gift certificates this weekend only – simply enter the code MAMA at checkout to receive your discount.

With our Summer 5K course starting on June 11 and Summer 10K starting on June 14, now’s a great time to register… or perhaps get your Mum up and running too?

Wishing a happy Mother’s Day to all the Mums out there! Here in the UK we already celebrated back in March, but I reckon all you Mum’s should pat yourselves on the back again and/or get the kids to make you a cuppa all the same!

Alas, only from spectating!

I was there with my pal Philippa “Skinny Latte” Moore to cheer on our brave warrior Cilla, who’d come all the way from Melbourne to run her first marathon.

After cheering ourselves hoarse at random strangers for hours, we completely missed Cilla running past us. Luckily some other friends of hers were watching just down the road and we caught their “GO CILLA!” screams.

Phil and I sprinted down the road in the pouring rain to catch up with her. I don’t recommend running in slightly too-big boots. My feet were already protesting from standing around, so our trot down the river bank really did them in.

But seriously now. After years of watching the London Marathon on telly (and blubbing at the tales of human triumph) it was so inspiring and exciting to cheer people on in person. I was in awe of every athlete who went by, whether they were speedy or slow or trapped in an elaborate costume. It takes such courage and dedication to train for a marathon, and I can only imagine how dig you’d have to deep, both physically and mentally, to get to the finish line.

We caught up with Cilla afterwards as she counted her blisters and enjoyed a well-earned champers and bowl of curly fries. I don’t think she’d had time to fully take in all that she’d achieved, but I bet she’ll party hard on the plane back to Oz. Well done comrade!

My rainy running route…

The last few weeks have been crazy busy, like working 7 days a week and feeling behind schedule every minute of the day. The problem is that I’m not going to have a break from the pressure for another month! I know that a lot of people would give up the exercise and fitness part of their lives to fit it all in, but running is part of my stress release. I get more nervous if I don’t exercise so I always make the time for it.

After nine hours at the computer today I called it quits… until the evening. There’s just a point during monster work hours where I’m just not productive and that’s when it’s time to step away.

First I went swimming for an hour. A nice “no pressure” session. While I was swimming I thought maybe I could go running afterwards. I still had time before I picked up my son from basketball (and multi-task by grocery shopping on the way).

I walked out from the pool center into pouring rain. I got in my car and waited five minutes until it let up a bit and then started driving home. I really had it in my head that I wanted to go running… but now I had the perfect excuse not to go.

What to do, what to do… I went back and forth in my mind about how I could go home and have some hot tea and work again. On the other hand I could just bite the bullet and run in the rain. It wasn’t cold out; just miserable…

Then this cheesy Hallmark card phrase popped into my mind that turned the tables for me. It’s such a corny analogy I’m sort of embarrassed to share it here with you, but here it goes…

I said to myself, “If this were your last day here, would you like to remember it with a hot cup of tea at home or outside running in the rain down a muddy path?”

There was just no contemplating that question. When I got home I laced my running shoes up and got out the door as fast as I could. It didn’t rain that hard after all and the best thing was dodging all the mud puddles. And now, back to work!

It’s the end of week three on the Up and Running 10k course. That’s nine whole workouts closer to my 10k race on 13 May.

And I’m actually enjoying running.

The course is structured so we get three workouts a week, which take around an hour each. We get our workouts for the following week on a Thursday, giving me just enough time to freak out, panic I can’t do it and then get my head round it. For me, the best thing is having a proper structure to my runs. Rather than sticking my trainers on and seeing how long I can go for, there’s an actual plan. It’s pushing me hard, but not making me never want to go running again.

And the course is interesting. We don’t just run! There’s skipping, striding, and this week a whole circuits session. And interspersed with the workouts are blog posts on technique, anatomy and inspiring stories from other runners. It’s as much about your technique and getting fit, as actually running.

The other fab thing is the other girls on the course with me, We’re from all over the world, but on this 10k journey together. Coach Julia encourages everyone to keep a running diary, and I love reading how everyone got on, and the encouraging responses I get to my posts. They’re a friendly bunch and happy to help with any questions, or just offer support if you’ve had a bad run.

So what have I achieved so far? Well on my final workout of week three, I clocked up just over 8km. Suddenly the mythical 10k is only two numbers away. And it feels good. My average pace has got faster too. I’ve gone from wanting to complete the 10k, to wanting to complete it in a good time!I’ve overtaken another runner! I’ve even whispered the words – ‘what next? – a half marathon?’ to myself… I’m fitter and my jeans are looser. I feel great.

Yesterday I spent the entire day in the car traveling back home after Easter celebrations in the south of Italy. I knew there’d be extra traffic thus taking the 800 km ride more than the usual seven hours, so I packed extra magazines and books to read while my husband drove. Somewhere after lunch I really got into a book called Switch by Chip and Dan Heath. It explains how to make change and how to make the process go smoother. One concept I loved was to concentrate on what you do right rather than what you do wrong. The authors call it finding the bright spots.

Since I had to entertain my husband while he was driving I gave a mini summary of every chapter and then wanted to put into action what I had just learned.

“So honey, what are three positive things you can affirm about me, athletically speaking?”

My husband is one of the most talented technical running coaches, training his athletes all the way to the Olympic Games and International events. But he sometimes forgets to slap a little praise on, especially when it comes to helping out his not so naturally talented wife.

I waited a few minutes… I guess he had to dig deep down. Then he came up with these three gems:

• “You’re well toned.” (adding, “in some parts of your body!”)
• “You have incredible mental powers, once you set your mind on something you go for it”.
• “You were born for endurance events”

That last comment is what turned everything around for me. I was born for endurance events! There are fast twitch and slow twitch muscles, I have definitely always been slow twitch. I warm up after 10km into a marathon, same thing for the swim portion of a triathlon. I’d just never thought of this particular definition as positive… until now.

Yesterday I swam with this idea in mind. When I started getting tired I repeated to myself, “Baby, you were BORN for endurance events!”. I forgot all about my defective high arm stroke. I can work on that in the next training session..

So, tell me what are your bright spots? Are you consistent in your workouts? Do you have super mental powers? Are you a demon in the gym or awesome on the golf course? Do you feel like you were born to run? Write it down, affirm it, share it with us here.

It’s a fact. I can’t run. I’ve tried, but I’ve never got beyond the magical pain barrier. That point which runners tell me exists. When it stops hurting and becomes fun. My last attempt ended after a three-mile walk/run with a friend. I did it… then I quite literally couldn’t move for three days. I gave up.

And this is frustrating! See, I like sport. I’m good at it. I like keeping fit and I like that exercise makes me feel good. OK, I’m the steady member of the team – never the star, but all teams need one of them. I’m a good all rounder. Over the last few years I’ve tried all sorts – kickboxing, Zumba, Body Pump, spinning, road cycling – I’ve even walked two marathons. I’ll give anything a go once, and I’m quite likely to go back for more. But running somehow eludes me.

My husband on the other hand LOVES running – he’ll nip out every weekend (and most week nights) for a quick ten miler. I go along to races with him. I cheer him over the finish line. I felt really proud when he finished the London marathon in 4 hours 34mins. The frustrating thing is at these events there are always people who just look like they shouldn’t be able to run. I shouldn’t be judgemental, but they fly past, all shapes and sizes, doing what I can’t.

I know my issues are in my head. I’m fitter than average, I’ve got a runners physique. I’ve just got a mental block that says a big fat ‘NO’ when running is mentioned.

Recently though, something has changed. I’ve started doing a Marine Commando boot camp. And this involves running. To my surprise, I’ve found that I can run a bit – it’s mostly short distances, and up hills, but I can do it*. And it feels good. And even more to my surprise, I like it.

So I started going out for a run with Dave (the marathon running hubby) a couple of nights a week. It didn’t feel especially fast, but there I was, running. Under gentle persuasion from the lovely Shauna (who I work and exercise with) I signed up for the 5k Course. It turned out I’m already better than I thought, because I can run 5k in 31 minutes, which qualifies me for the 10k course. Eek.

In our courses we talk about our motivations for wanting to complete the 8 weeks… this is Claire's list!

So here I am. It feels like the right time to try running properly. And to spur me on even more, I’ve signed up for the Black Rock ’5′ and the Glasgow Womens 10k in May.

No more excuses from me. From now on, I CAN RUN.

(*I’ll be honest, it’s amazing what you can do when you’re being shouted at by a man with a husky voice who’s wearing army fatigues!)

Caretera Donna 2012

Three years ago on a snowy january morning 62 women showed up to begin their training and personal  journey. Six weeks later  one hundred and twenty-two women raced 6km. At the second edition in 2011 the number of entries doubled. This year a hundred more women signed up for a total of 344 finishers. Aside from the wonderful friendships I’ve gained from this small circle of ladies, a  women’s running movement has spread to neighboring cities and sports groups.  It seems as if everybody wants to get in on the excitement and I couldn’t be more pleased. I am so happy I finally said “yes” to a small plan. You know, those ideas tend to grow…

Ever since we launched our 5K course last February we’ve been asked, but when’s the Half Marathon coming? Well, the big day has finally arrived! We’ve got 12 weeks of kickarse training and inspiring course content to get you all the way to 21k. This course is self-paced, which means you can dive in and start training at any time that suits you and your race date, but of course you still get our trademark unlimited coaching support via our Forum. We even have a fancy calendar gadget where you input your race date and it will tell you when you need to start your training!

You can find out more about the Half Marathon course here »

So a makeover was in order, and wielding the paintbrush was the gobsmackingly talented Alessandro Locatelli and Sara Lando of Papermoustache. Thank you for all your hard work and patience! Huge thanks also to amazing Alexandra Franzen for adding sparkle to our words and Jennette Fulda for her ongoing technical life support.

Now, I must go compulsively click on all the navigation items so I can gaze at that groovy squiggly font. Simple pleasures, people! Simple pleasures.