At the heart of the Shit Runners Club are the people who turn up, give it a go, and support each other along the way. Diane has been with us since day one and is now a key member of our volunteer team. Her story is exactly what this club is all about.
Towards the end of last year, Diane found herself feeling a bit fed up with her fitness – or lack of it. Like many of us, life had got busy and exercise had slipped down the list of priorities. But reaching what she calls “a certain age” made her realise it was time to start taking her health more seriously. As the saying goes, better late than never.
A gym wasn’t appealing, and while Couch to 5k seemed like a possibility, motivation was a challenge. Diane jokes that she had the “couch” part mastered, but the “5k” part felt like another story entirely.
Then something changed.
While scrolling Facebook one day, Diane saw a post advertising a 10k charity run for Motor Neurone Disease. The date caught her attention – it was just four days before what would have been her mum Betty’s birthday. Betty sadly passed away from MND in 2015, and Diane realised this could be the push she needed. Running the event would honour her mum’s memory and raise money for a cause close to her heart.
So she started Couch to 5k. It wasn’t easy. Stamina was a struggle and motivation wobbled at times, but she knew she wouldn’t give up.
Fortunately, she wasn’t doing it alone.
Her friend Liz agreed to join her, and having that support made all the difference. A running buddy meant encouragement, accountability, and someone to laugh with along the way.
Then Diane spotted Shaun’s Facebook post about something called the “Shit Runners Club.”
Her reaction?
“Hooray, that’s me!”
She told Liz, and the two of them decided to go along.
The first meet pushed Diane well outside her comfort zone. Meeting new people can be daunting at the best of times, and she hadn’t expected quite how many runners would turn up. But what she quickly realised was that everyone was in the same boat – just normal people trying their best.
And the post-run gatherings at @The New Union Kendal soon helped break the ice.
In those early weeks there were moments of doubt. Heading out into cold, wet, dark evenings didn’t always feel appealing, and Diane admits she questioned her sanity more than once.
But showing up – again and again – started to change things.
It made her realise what she was capable of if she simply kept going.
Now she genuinely looks forward to the runs and the community around them. Watching the club grow so quickly has been amazing, and being part of it has become something she’s truly proud of.
Liz has remained by her side throughout the journey. Diane describes her as an incredible friend whose encouragement and support have meant the world.
Together they’ve laughed their way through the miles, started doing @parkrun, and Liz will be joining Diane in that 10k race this June.
And perhaps the most incredible part of the story?
At 47 years old, Diane can now run 5k without stopping – something she never imagined possible not long ago.
She’s already set her next goals:
A half marathon next year, and a full marathon within two years.
Her stamina is steadily improving, but more importantly, she’s discovered something unexpected along the way.
She loves running.
Or more specifically…
She loves being a Shit Runner.
And we’re incredibly lucky to have her as part of the club.