Today's 'Lou
Lou Chats' feature is slightly off-topic for my blog, but I really wanted to
share it with my readers. I recently agreed to take part in the Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge, to raise funds for a local children's hospice, Ty Hafan . The challenge involves climbing the three highest mountains in Wales in under 15 hours! It is fair to say that my fitness levels are not quite at
their peak, therefore I knew that if I am going to complete the 3 Peaks, I am
going to have to put in some serious fitness work beforehand. A number of my
friends on Twitter had been raving about a book which had motivated them to get
off their backsides and start running. I was intrigued, so decided to buy it.
It was definitely a wise purchase on my part. The book in question? 'Run Fat Bitch Run' by Ruth Field. In the book, Ruth, and her alter-ego 'The Grit Doctor' provide no-nonsense advice that
was just what I needed to get up off the sofa and start running. I have started
running 3/4 times a week, and am really enjoying it. If you had told me a few
months ago that I would be enjoying getting up an hour earlier to run 5k before
work, I would not have believed you. I am definitely not a natural 'morning
person' and running in public was not in my natural comfort zone. But I have
surprised myself by how much I am enjoying it. As I have found the book really
motivating, I was delighted when Ruth agreed to answer some questions for my
blog.
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Describe
your attitude to fitness in three words.
Essential.
Empowering. Invigorating.
Please tell
us more about yourself.
I'm a mother of
twins who runs.
Why did you
decide to write the book?
My pregnancy
hormones were raging and I was trying to persuade my husband to take up running
and so the book was born!
It has a sense
of humour.
Do you have
any pet peeves about the fitness industry?
It has become
overly complicated and the emphasis is too much on spending money and looking
to other people/trainers/classes which can take responsibility away from the
individual trying to get fit.
Is running
really for everyone?
I think so - as
generalisations go - but there are always going to be exceptions and there is
no one perfect exercise.
What has
running done for you?
It really helps
me live my life much more effectively.
What do you
see as the main benefit of running?
I'm convinced
it makes me happier which is huge.
Have there
been any particular highlights for you since the book was published?
Getting
requests like this, signing books, hearing inspiring stories from readers who
have taken it all on. The whole experience has been a pleasure and
continues to be so, I just had an email saying I'm number 1 again in Ireland
which has put an enormous smile on my face.
What has
been your favourite review of the book?
Oh that’s
difficult to say, I have enjoyed them all. I loved that Emma Thompson
read it and approved as I've always really admired her and I really thought
Helen Rumbelow did a brilliant job serialising it in The Times just before it
came out.
Have you had
any negative feedback to the book? What was your response?
Very little
actually, I have been surprised as I thought more people would take offence to
the title. Each time there has been some negative feedback I try to see it from
their point of view, accept the criticism and then try to find some common
ground. Everyone is allowed to express their opinion and I welcome any
debate.
You are
always very active on Twitter, responding to your readers. Was this a conscious
decision from the start, or just something that happened over time?
My editor and
the team at Little,Brown who are so professional were very encouraging about using
social media, and taught me how to use it as I was hopeless, but to be honest
I've just really enjoyed hearing from people and responding to them has been a
joy and very inspiring for me.
Where is
your favourite place to go running?
Highgate Woods
at the moment.
If you could
run anywhere, where would it be?
Barefoot on a
beach at sunrise in South Africa's Nature's Valley.
What next
for the ‘Grit Doctor’?
Another book or
two!
What is your
top tip for motivation?
Don’t think
about motivation too much. I rarely 'feel' like running. Get into
good habits and you no longer need motivating in order to practise them
regularly.
What
motivates you?
Everything I
get out of running.
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You can find Ruth on Twitter as @gritdoctor or on her blog .
Have you read the book? What did you think?
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