The furTher I pushed myself The beTTer I felT
Women like you
I love runnIng
‘I‘ used To be more InTeresTed In wIne Than exercIse’
Sarah Prescott, 45, is S an art editor in London.
As I cross the fnish line of the London Marathon this month, it will be a poignant reminder of how far I’ve come. When I was in my twenties and thirties, I was more interested in sharing a bottle of wine with friends than exercising – even though my best friend Colette was a prolifc runner. I’d support her fundraising events and cheer her on when she took part in races. But as much as I admired her, I was happy watching from the sidelines. Then, in 2009, a friend told me she was starting a runner’s club for beginners and asked if I wanted to come along. At frst I scoffed – I wasn’t a natural runner, and I’d always hated cross-country at school. But the more I thought about it, the more I came round. I was two months away from my 40th birthday and began to think, if I didn’t start taking my health and ftness seriously now, when would I? So I joined the class that week, starting with a light jog. Puffng my way around the park, I felt horribly out of shape. But the more I went along, the easier it
became, and before long I could run four miles without breaking a sweat.
Four marathons In 2010 I joined Colette in a half marathon, and the sense of achievement I felt crossing the fnish line after 13 miles was amazing. So, when a group of friends asked me if I wanted to take part in the Berlin Marathon in 2011, I agreed. Of course, 26 miles was unlike anything I’d done before. But I broke training up into a 16-week programme, increasing the distance I ran by one mile each week. And when I reached the end after four hours and 12 minutes, on a sunny afternoon in September 2011, I felt so proud of myself. After the marathon, returning to normal life in London left me restless – and I desperately craved a challenge. So I signed up for the Paris 2012 Marathon, followed by New York the next year, and this year, I’ll run London. If I’d told my 30-year-old self I’d run four marathons in four years, I would’ve laughed. But that makes it all the more special. ✱ Sarah is fundraising for Shelter. To donate, visit tinyurl.com/mw533pc
sarah prescott: pineapple top at debenhams, leggings at m&s, trainers at new look. sarah tye: t-shirt at m&s, jacket by madison and shorts by pearl, both at soho bikes, nike trainers. karen: t-shirt and leggings at m&s, trainers at next, sweater at h&m.
F From cycling l tto running i ffurther h th than mostt off us can dream, these three women have turned their lives around thanks to determination
‘‘The furTher I pushed myself The beTTer I felT’
S Sara Tye, 47, uses cycleft.co.uk. She lives in Swindon with her two daughters Sam, nine, and Amelia, eight.
This summer I’ll be plunging into a freezing cold lake, followed by a gruelling 56-mile bike ride – and I can’t wait. I was always a keen runner, even after becoming a mum. But in 2011, I injured my foot, and had to take
a break from running to recover. At the time I had a little shopper bike to pick up groceries. My cycle rides became more frequent and it slowly became my new ftness regime. So I bought a professional road bike, starting with short rides during the week, and 12-mile rides through the countryside on Sundays.
Exhilarating time Cycling through the rolling hills on a sunny day was so exhilarating, and within six months I was doing 56
‘I’m fInally In conTrol of my weIghT’ Karen Thomas, 49, lives in Newcastle with her husband Matthew and their children Lauren, 22, and Elli, 11
miles in one afternoon. The further I pushed myself the better I felt – so I decided to see just how far I could go. In 2014 I signed up for the Ironman Triathlon, a combination of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bicycle ride and a 13.4-mile run, with no break. Now the triathlon’s two months away and I’m training 12 hours a week. Sam and Amelia think I’m mad. But as the big day looms closer, I know that I’ll have my two biggest suppporters cheering me on. ✱ evanscycles.com
I love x speedfle
At 5ft 1in, I’ve always been lucky enough to hover comfortably around a size 12. But things started to change after I left my job in insurance at 40. I wanted to focus on my daughters Lauren, then 12, and Elli, one. Suddenly I’d gone from holding down a fast-paced corporate job to whiling away my days at home looking after the children. And I developed a taste for anything sweet – cream cakes, chocolate biscuits or sweets. By 45, I was 14st and a size 18. Desperately self-conscious, I became depressed about the way I looked. I rarely left the house and I’d refuse to pose for photos. I tried going to the gym but it was always a half-hearted effort. I lacked motivation and I’d fnd myself procrastinating.
The big turnaround Then in November 2013, at 48, I read a magazine article on Speedfex, a highintensity workout class where you do a mix of sit-ups, kettle bells, step-ups and squats in a 45-minute session. It sounded terrifying but curious, I gave it a try. There was a lot of panting and sweating. But I dragged myself along to four classes a week, and it wasn’t long before I started to see results on my stomach and thighs. By summer 2014, I was down to a size 12 and 10st 7lb – and I’ve kept the weight off. I’ll never be size 8, but I’m the perfect shape for me. I’ve never been happier or healthier. ✱ Try Karen’s regime, speedfex.com
weighing in at 14st was Karen’s turning point 36
woMANmagazine.co.uk
BLACK YELLOW MAGENTA CYAN
woMANmagazine.co.uk
37
93WMN15018131.pgs 08.04.2015 16:48
words: unity blott. styling: Vicki hillman. hair & make-up: sherrie warwick, Fiona moore @ terri manduca.
We’ref e fit and dfab fab in our 40s!
I love cyclIng
I love runnIng
‘I‘ used To be more InTeresTed In wIne Than exercIse’
Sarah Prescott, 45, is S an art editor in London.
As I cross the fnish line of the London Marathon this month, it will be a poignant reminder of how far I’ve come. When I was in my twenties and thirties, I was more interested in sharing a bottle of wine with friends than exercising – even though my best friend Colette was a prolifc runner. I’d support her fundraising events and cheer her on when she took part in races. But as much as I admired her, I was happy watching from the sidelines. Then, in 2009, a friend told me she was starting a runner’s club for beginners and asked if I wanted to come along. At frst I scoffed – I wasn’t a natural runner, and I’d always hated cross-country at school. But the more I thought about it, the more I came round. I was two months away from my 40th birthday and began to think, if I didn’t start taking my health and ftness seriously now, when would I? So I joined the class that week, starting with a light jog. Puffng my way around the park, I felt horribly out of shape. But the more I went along, the easier it
became, and before long I could run four miles without breaking a sweat.
Four marathons In 2010 I joined Colette in a half marathon, and the sense of achievement I felt crossing the fnish line after 13 miles was amazing. So, when a group of friends asked me if I wanted to take part in the Berlin Marathon in 2011, I agreed. Of course, 26 miles was unlike anything I’d done before. But I broke training up into a 16-week programme, increasing the distance I ran by one mile each week. And when I reached the end after four hours and 12 minutes, on a sunny afternoon in September 2011, I felt so proud of myself. After the marathon, returning to normal life in London left me restless – and I desperately craved a challenge. So I signed up for the Paris 2012 Marathon, followed by New York the next year, and this year, I’ll run London. If I’d told my 30-year-old self I’d run four marathons in four years, I would’ve laughed. But that makes it all the more special. ✱ Sarah is fundraising for Shelter. To donate, visit tinyurl.com/mw533pc
sarah prescott: pineapple top at debenhams, leggings at m&s, trainers at new look. sarah tye: t-shirt at m&s, jacket by madison and shorts by pearl, both at soho bikes, nike trainers. karen: t-shirt and leggings at m&s, trainers at next, sweater at h&m.
F From cycling l tto running i ffurther h th than mostt off us can dream, these three women have turned their lives around thanks to determination
‘‘The furTher I pushed myself The beTTer I felT’
S Sara Tye, 47, uses cycleft.co.uk. She lives in Swindon with her two daughters Sam, nine, and Amelia, eight.
This summer I’ll be plunging into a freezing cold lake, followed by a gruelling 56-mile bike ride – and I can’t wait. I was always a keen runner, even after becoming a mum. But in 2011, I injured my foot, and had to take
a break from running to recover. At the time I had a little shopper bike to pick up groceries. My cycle rides became more frequent and it slowly became my new ftness regime. So I bought a professional road bike, starting with short rides during the week, and 12-mile rides through the countryside on Sundays.
Exhilarating time Cycling through the rolling hills on a sunny day was so exhilarating, and within six months I was doing 56
‘I’m fInally In conTrol of my weIghT’ Karen Thomas, 49, lives in Newcastle with her husband Matthew and their children Lauren, 22, and Elli, 11
miles in one afternoon. The further I pushed myself the better I felt – so I decided to see just how far I could go. In 2014 I signed up for the Ironman Triathlon, a combination of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bicycle ride and a 13.4-mile run, with no break. Now the triathlon’s two months away and I’m training 12 hours a week. Sam and Amelia think I’m mad. But as the big day looms closer, I know that I’ll have my two biggest suppporters cheering me on. ✱ evanscycles.com
I love x speedfle
At 5ft 1in, I’ve always been lucky enough to hover comfortably around a size 12. But things started to change after I left my job in insurance at 40. I wanted to focus on my daughters Lauren, then 12, and Elli, one. Suddenly I’d gone from holding down a fast-paced corporate job to whiling away my days at home looking after the children. And I developed a taste for anything sweet – cream cakes, chocolate biscuits or sweets. By 45, I was 14st and a size 18. Desperately self-conscious, I became depressed about the way I looked. I rarely left the house and I’d refuse to pose for photos. I tried going to the gym but it was always a half-hearted effort. I lacked motivation and I’d fnd myself procrastinating.
The big turnaround Then in November 2013, at 48, I read a magazine article on Speedfex, a highintensity workout class where you do a mix of sit-ups, kettle bells, step-ups and squats in a 45-minute session. It sounded terrifying but curious, I gave it a try. There was a lot of panting and sweating. But I dragged myself along to four classes a week, and it wasn’t long before I started to see results on my stomach and thighs. By summer 2014, I was down to a size 12 and 10st 7lb – and I’ve kept the weight off. I’ll never be size 8, but I’m the perfect shape for me. I’ve never been happier or healthier. ✱ Try Karen’s regime, speedfex.com
weighing in at 14st was Karen’s turning point 36
woMANmagazine.co.uk
BLACK YELLOW MAGENTA CYAN
woMANmagazine.co.uk
37
93WMN15018131.pgs 08.04.2015 16:48
words: unity blott. styling: Vicki hillman. hair & make-up: sherrie warwick, Fiona moore @ terri manduca.
We’ref e fit and dfab fab in our 40s!
I love cyclIng
