Turning 50 and becoming more active than ever

When Miranda developed post-natal depression after the birth of her first child, she unexpectedly found running was a way to lift her mood. From there she discovered other new ways to make physical activity social and enjoyable.

Miranda is a mum to two girls and the founder of an award-winning PR agency. At 50 years old, she is now more active than she ever thought she would be. Miranda tells us about her journey into running.

I’ve never been sporty looking, and I think I’ve been on a diet since I was 13 years old. Exercise used to be my last resort in terms of trying to lose weight for big birthdays, holidays and trying to get pregnant. I played hockey as a child and swam competitively, but neither were offered at the secondary school I went to. My experience of comprehensive school sport was that if you weren’t in the netball team, you didn’t get chosen for anything else. I did no physical activity at university and then went to work in London where I suffered from the “London bum”; where my only form of exercise was the walk to/from the tube station each day.

I suffered from post-natal depression after the birth of my first daughter and the best advice I was given was to put on my running shoes. I’d never been a runner before but found it was the only thing that really helped lift my mood and clear my head. It was at this point that I really discovered my “tribe” and I joined a running group and took part in boot camps. For the first time in my adult life, physical activity became social and enjoyable, which it had never been before.

I met my amazing friend Tina in 2014. She was a prolific marathon runner and she encouraged me to apply with her for a place in the London Marathon in 2018. I never expected to get a ballot place, but we both did! Unfortunately, Tina was diagnosed with breast cancer before the ballot was announced and a full schedule of treatment meant she was not going to be able to run with me. But she was there for me on the day as I ran and completed the hottest London Marathon on record.

Tina also introduced me to Marcothon challenge to run 5km every day in December, whatever the weather. Devastatingly Tina died in August last year. As a tribute to my wonderful friend we set up the Tinathon and got 140 people outside getting their hearts pumping for half an hour every day in December. Friends from all over the world took part and I plan to organise it again this December.

I turned 50 in lockdown and amongst many things I missed was my regular sessions at Orange Theory Fitness. I really enjoy their scientific approach to physical activity and the welcoming atmosphere and the way the instructors look after you. I still run and I play badminton every week and I take part in Winchester Fit Club with my two daughters who are 12 and 14. I really want to encourage them both to have a better relationship with physical activity and I’m aware they are at pivotal ages where they might drop out.

What I love about physical activity is the way it clears my head, gets my heart pumping and releases all those fabulous endorphins! I never thought I would be this active; me being sporty still feels a weird thing to say!