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“I’m not a real runner” – but why?
How many of us have whispered those words to ourselves, doubting our own abilities because we don’t fit the certain stereotype of what a “real runner” looks like?
Meet Maddi, AKA @healthymumma101 – an incredible Kic community member, mum of two and the face of our Real Runners Challenge.
For Maddi, this self-doubt has been a recurring thought, until she found Kicrun.
Maddi’s running story is deeply relatable and truly inspiring. From battling her own inner critic to finding strength through unimaginable heartbreak, like coping with a miscarriage, she’s discovered how running is more than just physical movement. It’s therapy. It’s clarity. It’s a way to keep moving forward – literally and figuratively – even on the toughest days. For Maddi, running has been about setting small goals, showing up step by step, and finding joy and pride in progress, no matter how slow the pace.
Maddi’s story reminds us that being a runner isn’t defined by your speed, body, or experience. It’s about putting one foot in front of the other, no matter where you’re starting from. Our Real Runners Challenge starts on Monday, 24th March, Whether you’re just starting out or your run on the reg – sprint, jog, stroll – this challenge is made for you.
1. “I’m not a real runner”, is that ever something you’ve told yourself? And if yes, where do you think this self-limiting belief comes from?
I still often say this “I’m not really a runner my pace is so slow’ I feel it Comes from looking at other people running, people who can run a 4/5min km and when your running an 8km pace you feel like you aren’t a real runner like them.
2. How did you overcome this mindset, and when did you start feeling like a real runner?
I wouldn’t even say I have over come it, it still bugs me haha but showing up every day even Tho I am not as fast or as fit as some I am still running and doing the best I can, that’s what makes me feel like a real runner.
3. Sometimes, life can throw us unfair curveballs, like the miscarriage that we are so sorry you had to experience, how has running helped you through tough times?
Honestly it helps my mind, it mentally clears a fog. At the time it might not feel like it but setting myself a challange and sticking to it gave me something else to think about and strive for. The time on my own to just worry about me and putting one foot in front of the other.
4. How did you build up your endurance and confidence in the early days?
I started running guide post to guide post one week, and the next week I would try to run 2 guide posts and then walk 1. If I walked on my run 10 times the next week I would try and walk 9 and I just slowly worked up from there. Once I discovered Kicrun it was amazing! To have a program to follow that was achievable really helped with my confidence. To know that I could actually do it and I was completing something.
6. What advice would you give to someone who is feeling nervous to start?
START SLOW!!!! I always thought you had to go like Kathy freeman and I would be heaving after about 10m! But once I heard ‘ if you want to be able to run the distance you should be able to hold a conversation’ it really changed my running, I was able to run a lot further. I would sing along to the song playing for the first few minutes to set a pace, and yes it was like walking pace but it will still a run.
7. How has the online running community supported you?
It has been amazing! I never I’m a million years would have expected to get the amount of support that I do! And to be able to support and help others is so amazing to me! Because really, if I can do it fucking anyone can! And that’s what I love about the community. We aren’t all size 6 marathon runners, but we are all real runners in our own way x
