To mark International Women’s Day Run England spoke to three inspirational women who have shown the remarkable things that can be achieved through running. One of the ladies featured was our very own Cat Terry !
These profiles tell stories of transformation, overcoming the odds, happiness, friendship, encouragement, leadership and much more.
Cat Terry, 37, Gloucestershire – Tewkesbury Allrunners
Cat (right) only took up running in September last year, but has already come so far thanks to the incredible and supportive Group Leaders at Tewkesbury Allrunners. Cat suffered with ankle pain from the age of 11 so never thought running would be something she could do. A corrective operation in 2003 saw the pain subside but it was having her second child that really made her want to get into running: “Childcare meant I needed an alternative to the gym that would take up less time. I needed to do something active that would allow me to kick back and have some me time.”
In the last six months, Cat has gone from the ‘Reds’ group which steadily progresses members up to completing a 5K, to the ‘Ambers’ who run for three to five miles, and is now in the ‘Greens’ group, running around five miles in each session. She even ran her first race just before Christmas, dressed as a Christmas tree! She said: “I never dreamt I could do this and run as far as I can – or even more than 100m!”
Around 60 people turn up to Tewkesbury Runners each week and Cat has a trip to Majorca planned for the summer, where she and some friends from the running group will run in a 10K event as part of a running holiday! “Throughout my short time running, the Group Leaders Kathy and Kerry at Tewkesbury Allrunners have been there to support and push me when I needed it, I am blown away by how far I have come – it would appear that this girl really can!”
Read the other inspirational stories on the Run England Web site.