From Roundhouse Kicks to Running Kicks: Week 3

That Post Run Glow

Stronger Together: The Power of Fitness Community Support

Before anything else this week, a huge shoutout to Kirstin who ran the Glen Lyon Ultramarathon — 50 FULL kilometres!! What an achievement! She’s an inspiration and will hopefully be joining us for some future runs to share her knowledge (and her ultramarathon energy!). The definition of fitness community support in action.

Week 3: Back to Kickboxing (and New Gear!)

This week, I got my hands on a new armband — because we all know new kit automatically makes you faster… right?

I also finally got to train instead of just coaching! Monday’s session was tough but much-needed, and by Tuesday, the DOMS were real — but I wasn’t skipping another chance. That night’s session started with a brutal circuit, weights, and the air bike. If you know… you know .

So when Wednesday morning rolled around, my legs were cooked. But the plan is the plan…

Run 1: Reversed Route, Real Talk

Looking down on the long road ahead

It was a beautiful morning — a big change from last week’s rain. Maybe a little warm, but I wasn’t complaining.

This time, I decided to run my usual 4K in reverse, which made the usual friendly downhill into a cheeky little uphill surprise. My legs were still feeling the air bike punishment, so I had to take a quick walk break. But honestly? That’s OK. It’s still a run. I got it done.

Everyone out on the path was so cheerful — cyclists, walkers, dog owners all giving a “good morning.” That little human connection? It really lifts your spirits. It reminded me how the fitness community supports each other — even in tiny passing moments.

And then I remembered I had to teach spin on Thursday. No rest for the stubborn!

Bonus Cross-Training: Surprise Sessions

Hannah (daughter #2) reminded me I was joining her for pre-season training this week. Her suggestion? Hill sprints. Mine? “Absolutely not.”

So Thursday became a fartlek run and Friday a plyometric gym session. Ouch. But also — satisfaction levels:

That soreness? That’s progress. That’s consistency. And I still had my eye on Sunday’s big run….

Run 2: 5K Victory (and Solo Sync-Up)

5K CLUB!!

We had a logistics fail this week — Father’s Day got in the way of our normal plan. But we’d committed to hitting the 5K milestone, so we both ran it solo and separately.

I was mid-toast-pep-talk when Coral messaged to say she’d smashed the 5K, so I laced up and went. Headphones in, podcast on (because I need the chat), and I got it done.

Someone give a round of applause to “The Buckleys” podcast for keeping me company, even if the passersby were confused why I was grinning and occasionally muttering back to it.

That Unexpected Encouragement

In my first run this week, I hit a hill and slowed to a walk. My legs were still recovering from circuits and in particular the evil air bike, but I was out there trying. Just as I was debating how far I could realistically go, a lovely older gentleman walking past smiled and said, “Come on miss, don’t give up!”.

It was such a simple sentence - but it stuck. And it perfectly sums up what I love most about the fitness community: encouragement from people who don’t know you, who don’t need to say anything, but do anyway - because they get it.

There’s a genuine sense of lifting each other up. When we win, we want others to win too. It’s why Kirstin wants to join us, why Coral and I push each other, why I got up and ran that morning. Because in fitness, especially in places like Helensburgh, no one’s gatekeeping success. They’re passing it on.

That spirit is what makes the pain worth it — whether it’s spin, martial arts, circuits, or slogging out a solo 5K.

Closing Thoughts

Want to follow along with our journey? Stay Tuned, or better yet — message me if you fancy joining a local run!

In my natural habitat!