Episode 3 of 'Conversations About the Mind and Body', featuring Abbey - a 23-year-old competitive runner, who's been running since she was 13, competing in races across the UK and Europe, and has built lasting friendships along the way.
On our run together around Hackney, Abbey shares her personal connection to running, focusing on what balance means to her, the mental aspects of competing and the importance of showing up.
Do you find a connection between your mental health and running?
Yeah definitely, after morning training the endorphins of surrounding yourself with like-minded people and moving your body sets yourself up positively for a great day! Evening runs always put your day into perspective to allow time to reflect in a clear space, improving mental health.
What's your biggest obstacle with running?
The biggest obstacle within running is the mindset it takes to perform at a top level. To compete requires the capacity to constantly push yourself to the limit involving high mileage and intensive training whilst studying and now working full time. However, surrounding yourself with the right set up can offset these obstacles.
How do you maintain a balance?
I do the sport for the love of it and with that I find a balance. What’s the point in rushing a process when you can do it frequently for the rest of your life? I believe with balance comes improvement and to create a steady training pattern.
What's the biggest "objection" that you've had to overcome, internally or externally, to keep going in your sport?
The biggest objection for me is during periods of injury. I suffered with a stress fracture in my femur a few years ago which put me out of the sport for over a year. This came with both internal objections of my body saying no to the training load and external to not qualifying for races due to my PB’s not being eligible to enter races.
What do you find most difficult about running?
Personally it’s a mind game. It’s fighting against those moments when your body says no and for me that’s the challenge but it’s the reason I keep coming back for more, to see each day what my body can handle and it’s the beauty of that which makes it the sport it is.
How would you describe your relationship with running today, compared to when you started?
I have a stronger relationship with running today than when I started, as I've got through those hard periods to come out stronger. I run for the love of it, to meet likeminded people and to maintain a positive mental health.
How do you come through on days when your body and mind doesn't show up?
These are the most important days, the ones which count. You've got to channel your inner self to keep pushing and remember the reason why you do it, for the outcome.
What does "resilience" mean to you now, compared to when you first started?
When I started, resilience meant you could battle through the hard times. Now it means so much more. Resilience is a key life pillar and can't be taught- it's developed through experiences that make us stronger.
What lessons from your training or racing have bled into your everyday life?
It’s the discipline that training has instilled which has bled into my everyday life especially throughout my time at university and making decisions for the long run. Racing has made me aware of others and has given me the ability to push through times where my body has never been before instilling the drive I have in life to keep showing up.
What does success look like for you now? Has that changed over time?
Success for me is being happy, which has definitely changed over time. It used to be about time and positions in a race. If i'm enjoying training with my friends, exploring a new place through a race, or simply helping others to develop a passion for running - that brings me joy!
Thank you so much Abbey for taking the time to speak with us!