This is Helen, Helen runs up mountains for fun.This is how someone at work described me to a customer.
Running Happiness used to be Run All the Miles. A simple name change because my best friend left me ‘Running Happiness’ when she sadly passed away in June 2019. She left a list of a few precious things written on a little bit of lined paper. ‘For Helen….’ it read. The last thing on that list were two beautiful words, so simple yet so effective, ‘Running Happiness’.
I am also the proud owner of her black and white running cap which will go with me on my runs.
I, therefore, changed my website name and redesigned it to ‘Running Happiness’ in happy memory of my best friend of 25 years and an awesome running buddy.
So, running Happiness is simply my happy journey of running, from running my first 5km in London many years ago with cheap £10 trainers and cotton Primark tee’s to running the Tarawera Ultramarathon in New Zealand part of the Ultra-Trail World Series, and to date just one 100 miler the Pennine Barrier 100. I am not big, I am not clever, I’m not fast, I am not slow I’m not good, I am not bad, I just like to run.
I am just like you, I am human, I have days when I am flying and I have days where I feel like I am moving slower than a slug in mud, but overall I love running, and I run happy regardless of time or pace or distance or terrain. It’s just a hobby after all.
I am a qualified England Athletics Run Coach and have my own coaching business. If you are interested head over to my Coaching Website – Ultractive Run Coaching.
I am also a Sports Massage Therapist if you are in need of a Sports Massage, head over to my Ultractive Sports Massage Website.
In 2019 I was an ambassador for Tailwind Nutrition UK. I used to run for Sheffield Running Club and held a number of positions on their committee including Web Media co-ordinator and coaching secretary.
I also like Swimming, am a qualified ASA Swim Teacher and Open Water Swim Coach (STA), there are a few odd swimming entries too, including my stupid 28 miles at the 24 hour solstice swim at Hathersage Swimming Pool in the gorgeous Peak District.
COVID has left me with new adventures, adventures on my new (ish) Gravel Bike, from Helensborough to Sheffield 6 weeks after buying the bike, Way of the Roses over 2 days (200 miles-ish), Sheffield to Sheffield (Sheffield Penzance to Sheffield South Yorkshire) over 8 days, another coast to coast trip, a not so planned Helen St to Helen’s Rd – Glasgow to Sheffield, and a trip around Northern and the Republic of Ireland. Lots of wild camping, wild swimming and having lots of adventures. Perhaps I should rename this Ultractive Adventures but my friend will always remain in my heart for that it remains as Running Happiness and the memories of my running days will always be close to my heart. But at the moment I ride, I swim and I am into stand up paddleboarding.
If you run, run happy.
