I walked off a training run in tears.

Not because the run was hard, but because my sciatica was so bad I could barely put weight on my leg.  And I knew I'd done it to myself.

I'd been ignoring the warning signs for months. Tight calves. Stiff hips. A back that kept going. But I kept running anyway, because that's what runners do.  And honestly, I needed it. Because running is my refuge. My peace and quiet amongst a busy life.

And if you're reading this, you probably know the feeling.

We don't run for fitness. We run for headspace.

For the hour where we're not somebody's mum, somebody's partner, somebody's employee. And the thought of losing that isn't an inconvenience, it's a small grief.

That's why we ignore the niggles. That's why we end up at the physio for the fifth time.

The running world hands you a foam roller and points you to some random "fix it" exercises on YouTube. 

But here's what changed everything.

In 2022 I ruptured my ACL skiing and tore my meniscus in two places. The consultant called it a "catastrophic knee injury".

But where I had adapted my Pilates practice to rebuild myself after the sciatica. I was able to come back faster than anyone expected from that knee injury.  Even after 2 knee operations. My physio couldn't believe it, he told me to "Just keep doing what you're doing with the Pilates".

That same foundation is what keeps the runners in my membership running.

What I believe...

Getting older doesn't mean accepting the aches. More miles won't fix what more recovery would. The goal isn't just to be fitter at 50 than you were at 30. The goal is to still be doing this at 70 and beyond.

And you absolutely do not need to break to get strong.

What you'll get from me.

Short, targeted sessions you can actually fit into a busy schedule. A real runner who's still rehabbing a knee and always will be, still chasing PBs, still working it out. Definitely not a polished influencer. My cat sometimes joins. My hair is often a mess.

But what I take seriously is this: you've trusted me with the thing that keeps you sane. I'm not going to waste that.

If you've been nodding through any of this, the first week is free. Come and join the team with the 7 day free trial HERE.

Liz x

admin@pilatesforrunners.co.uk