What is Up & Running? | Up & Running

Up & Running is more than a workout…

It’s a portal to amazing growth and transformation — the kind that happens when you get off the couch, out of your head, and back into your body. And it’s not just for the skinny, the svelte or the superhuman… it’s for YOU!

We offer e-courses for super-new and seasoned runners tackling 5K, 10K, and half-marathon runs — and training guides to keep the momentum rolling, between races. We coach marathoners and help exercise beginners get Up & Moving. We’ve got a vibrant members forum for our e-course rockstars. Plus free wisdom, on our blog.

Whether you’re in Australia or Antarctica — and whether you’re a size 2 or a size 26 — our practical and passionate programmes will get you on your feet, out the door, and into the world. Just trust us. You’ll see.

Meet your makers

Up & Running was created by expert Running Coach Julia Jones (an American in Italy) and Community Director Shauna Reid (an Australian in Scotland).

Our virtual friendship began in 2001 when Shauna posted her now-infamous Things To Do When I’m Skinny list on her blog, The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl. Her #1 wish? “RUN!”

Julia (a big-time reader and admirer) convinced Shauna that she didn’t need to be “skinny” to start running, and nudged a reluctant Shauna into her first 5K training programme.

Shauna said YES. Then what-the-eff-have-I-done. Then sweet-Jesus-I’ve-DONE-it!

A decade of emails later, Julia pitched Shauna a bold new idea: an online coaching website for women who want to transform their bodies, and take their lives to a new level. Long-distance running meets personal development, with e-courses and goodies and forums, galore!

Shauna said YES. Then no-thank-you-just-kidding. Then swung back, with a resounding LET’S DO THIS!

We met in person for the very first time in January of 2011. Up & Running was born a month later. Since then, we’ve helped hundreds of women run, walk, skip and sprint over all kinds of finish lines — building not only strong bodies, but self-worth and courage.

Not bad for two ladies, a pair of laptops, and a dream.

About Julia Jones

Running Coach. Wine lover. One-time Lady Universe crown-holder. (Long story.)

For over fifteen years, I’ve trained thousands of people to achieve their running goals, from 5K to marathon to Ironman to the famous Marathon des Sables.

I grew up in Marin County, California in an outdoorsy family. A visit to Italy at age seventeen opened my eyes to a new world — women who smoked, who wore pencil-thin heels, and rode on the back of their boyfriend’s Vespas. I wanted IN. And I found a way.

I spent the ‘80s living and working like a modern-day Renaissance woman — leaping into every opportunity. My degree in Italian Literature allowed me to work as a translator, as a VJ for the Italian equivalent of MTV, in the world of high-fashion textile sales, and as a plus-size model for Valentino, Versace, and other couture virtuosos. I even worked the Italian pageant circuit, earning the lofty title of Lady Universe — tiara and all.

Then, a fateful trip to NYC in ‘86 brought me to the finish line of the New York City Marathon. I stood, mesmerised, and watched the race for five hours. The runners filled me with a sense of electricity and power. And I thought, How would it feel to actually RUN?

Today, running is the love of my life — next to my husband and two children, of course. I’ve now run 35 marathons, numerous triathlons, six half Ironmans and an Ironman. I write a monthly column in Italy’s most popular running magazine, I’ve penned a bestselling book, and I’m the creator of a women’s running course with over 30,000 participants — and superstar sponsors like Nike and Avon.

Up & Running is a beautiful addition to the life and career I’ve created — a way to bring pleasure, power and a renewed sense of purpose to women of every nationality and fitness level. And that means more to me than all the Lady Universe tiaras in the world.

About Shauna Reid

Community Director. Dumbbell devotee. Author and online jibber-jabberer.

I’m living proof that exercise can change your life. And as Up & Running's Community Director, I’m here to keep you inspired and connected to your goals — big, small, and supersonic.

For the first 24 years of my life, I struggled with my weight — and more importantly, with my sense of self-worth. I lived in a tiny corner of my mind, disconnected from my body and the incredible world outside. When I embarked on a weight loss mission in 2001, I weighed 351 pounds. Forget running a 5K — I could barely walk down my driveway.

Julia came into my life at precisely the moment — and for years, she served as my fitness coach, mentor and friend.

Through running, I discovered I was capable of more than I ever dreamed possible — I soared on endorphins, and discovered new muscles. And when I crossed the finish line at my first 5K race, I bawled like a baby. It was that powerful — believe me, you’ll see.

Today, I’m a freelance writer and veteran blogger with 14 years of posts stashed in my archives. I’m also a published author — another one of those dreams I thought was impossible.

While walking, weight training and yoga are my current activities of choice, running was the portal to the life I always wanted — but didn’t think I deserved.

Now, I help other women to walk, run and radically re-invent themselves — physically, mentally and emotionally. Dream job? That’s putting it mildly.

I’m so chuffed you’ve found Up & Running, and hope to meet you inside one of our stellar e-courses.

Are you ready to get moving and grooving?

If you'd like, you can:

Have a stickybeak at our awesome e-courses and training plans, from walking all the way to marathon
Read some kickass success stories on our from our runners.
Befriend us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
Hop on our mailing list below, for monthly training tips and inspiration.

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