Running for First-Timers

Can't run to save your life? Run to save the life of another.

At the age of 68, Margaret-Anne Hayes took up running. With determination and training support from charity Can Too, she runs half marathons and raises vital funds for cancer research. Here, this 69-year-old dynamo shares her advice on getting into running:

1. You don't need to be an athlete

Before starting with Can Too, I'd never run in my life. As a child, I was an unhappy little fat girl—one of those little round butterballs. I was always the last person chosen for sports' teams and had very little confidence. It was miserable! Then, when I had children, there was never any time for exercise. I never thought I'd become a runner.

2. You're never too old

A dear friend, whom I called my 'adopted Aunt Thea' was a brilliant lady—intelligent, witty, compassionate. One day, after a hip replacement, she asked me "How do I look?" But before I could answer, she added, "Not that it matters, for when you're old, you're invisible." I vowed then that I would do what I could to change this idea in our society. When I’m running in my Skins, my orange Can Too shirt and orange cap, I’m certainly not invisible.

3. You can achieve more than you think

The first night of Can Too training was the coldest July night in 35 years—absolutely freezing. I had no idea of what was ahead and was a little anxious. Our coach said, "To warm up I want you to 'just' run three laps of the oval." I couldn't believe my ears: we couldn't even see the other side of the oval through the freezing mist. I thought, there's no way I can run even one lap of the oval, so I began fast walking, did the three laps, did another seven after that, and my "running career" had begun.

4. It's okay to start small

The old saying 'don't run before you can walk' is true. You can't just suddenly start to run; you have to set a small goal and increase in small increments. I started off just walking up to the shops to have a coffee. Then I'd walk further and get the train back; and then I'd walk the return and go further again. Give your body the chance to sink into it. If you set small goals, you're so thrilled with yourself when you achieve them that you think, I've done well! Perhaps tomorrow I can do a tiny bit more. Then, after a while, you'll hear your body saying Oh, this is fantastic, and it'll want to push itself.

5. You're not on your own

There's no way I could have done this alone. Can Too offers such support, from Annie Crawford who began the charity, through to the coaches, mentors, office staff, volunteers and my brilliant fellow runners—I would never have had a chance to meet any of these gorgeous young people if I hadn’t started running. If you want your own group, put a little note on the local noticeboard at Woolies or Coles asking if anyone’s interested in an early morning or afternoon walk and go from there.

6. You can make a difference

I firmly believe that every single person can make a difference in this life. You might be young or old, you might not be able to run half marathons, or even for that matter 9 kilometres. You may struggle a little financially or physically, but you can still make a difference. A telephone call to a sick friend, a smile to the grumpy shopkeeper, a willingness to listen to someone who drives you crazy—everything counts.

7. You Can Too

In Can Too, everybody has a different reason for running or swimming. Some people are runners, some want to raise money; some just go in it for fun and a challenge, others because someone they love has been touched by cancer. And some are dragged into it by friends and fall in love with it. I’m the oldest runner in Can Too, and the youngest is 19! My message to anyone who's interested? Give it a go. As the coaches say at training when I’m shuffling around the oval: "Have a look at Margaret-Anne; if she can do it, you can too."

Donate

Get behind Margaret-Anne's push to raise $70,000 by her 70th birthday. Follow the Sponsor a Participant link at www.cantoo.org.au.

More workouts to try

Start a swimming program

Go bushwalking

Try these outdoor workouts

To read more about Margaret-Anne, pick up the January issue of Prevention--on sale now