This Girl is not for Quitting!

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Felicity Douglas is one very gutsy and determine lady! A mother of 4 x very active teens, a wife, a business owner, an  inspirational BEXI (Beauty of Exercise) runner… and also someone who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Her world was rocked 10yrs ago when she was diagnosed, but with the support of her family, friends and a fiercely ‘I-will-succeed’ attitude – Felicity has gone on to accomplish a huge number achievements in her life.

Below is Felicity’s recent account of her awesome PB at the SMH Half-Marathon:

Early Sunday morning I lined up for the SMH Half Marathon. The race had been a long time coming! I had commenced training with the Canberra Race-Fit crew in January but had not traveled to Canberra.

Training had been a mixed bag, full commitment is hard with 4 kids and work, but you need to accept that you can only do what you can. I love the Race-Fit training and was very inspired by the other BEXI Runners. I lined up in the Blue (fast) start – this was ambitious, but starting in the slower group the previous year proved frustratingly slow.

After a fast start… I was feeling fantastic and confident of a great time until I hit about the 12-14km mark. The quick start and the hills then caught up with me. I was hitting the wall – and literally had to repeat my mantra “one foot after another”. I didn’t give up… much as I wanted to. Other runners were very encouraging.

About 2km to the finish I was almost at a crawl. I stopped to ‘reset’ – stretching my arms in the air. A fellow runner called out “go on you can do it”… I took off to finish my race on my terms. Stumbling across the line into the arms of 2 first-aiders… but not before stopping my watch at the credible 1:52 time (7:30min PB!). The poor fellows were dumbstruck that I was more interested in my PB than being able to stand up!

I want to remind you all that so much of your race is in your head. I was aiming for a pleasant sub-2hr half-marathon but went all-out when I felt great on the day. Thank you Debbie and my fellow BEXI Runners for all the support and training. Love the BEXI support network!

Now bring on Gold Coast Half-Marathon! They tell me it’s flat and I now have a sub 1:45 to chase.

Felicity Douglas
1:52 Half-Marathoner
Inspirational BEXI Runner

SMH Half-Marathon

SMH Half-Marathon

 

My first Half-Marathon

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From nursing a broken fibula in 2014, to standing on the start-line for her first ever half-marathon on Sun 12 April. Amanda Green, our most humble and modest Beauty of Exercise (BEXI) runner, took to the start line of the half-marathon at the recent Australian Running Festival in Canberra. Forever shying away from races, Amanda was encouraged by her BEXI buddies to join them for the Canberra Half-Marathon. From the very start, Amanda committed 100% to her training program and soon started to shine as a star-runner. We proudly followed her every progress and could not wait to cheer her on come race day.

Below is Amanda’s account of her journey to the start-line of her first half-marathon:

As I awaited the sound of the horn to start this year’s Australian Running Festival, I could not help but wonder…. how did I end up here? This was my first ever half marathon, something I had never even considered doing this time last year, so how was it that I was standing at the start line and I actually felt good? The answer came easily, pure and simple, the support.

I recall the first training session Debbie organised for us. As always, she had brought together a lovely group of kind, funny, caring, supportive, interesting and entertaining people with whom it was a pleasure to spend time with.  From the moment I rocked up I felt welcome and at ease and knew the 12 week preparation would be comprehensive, professional and nurturing. Needless to say, as the weeks passed I was not disappointed with the level of commitment and support from the BEXI community.

Surprisingly, as the distances for the training increased so did the smiles, although they were more grimaces when it came to the interval training. Yes, how could we forget the gruelling interval sessions which challenged us each week yet somehow we all managed to dig deep and surpass what we thought were unachievable times. Despite having different goals the camaraderie grew stronger to the point we had to tone down our enthusiasm and vocal support for one another to avoid noise complaints.

Of course, injury did not escape us but was handled sensibly. Massage became a common word and the online discussions about nutrition, injury prevention and running accessories were both helpful and entertaining. Those in the group with previous experience in half marathons and marathons graciously gave their time to share their experiences, encourage others and manage anxiety.

So, by the time I found myself in Canberra enjoying dinner together as all of our families got to know one another more, I think we were all feeling good. Our families clapped and cheered as much as we did as Debbie showed the beautiful clip that she and Liza had so thoughtfully organised. The footage reinforced the important role our running buddies play, especially on the tougher days when we are challenged with injury, extreme weather conditions, illness, exhaustion and the myriad of daily life experiences that running lets us process.

So, as I awaited the start along with my BEXI buddies, I felt so grateful to be exactly where I was and thought of my BEXI buddies who were not able to race that day, but were with us in spirit and spurring us on from near and afar. Oh and who at that moment popped up in the crowded sideline, none other than the incredibly talented, supportive and stoical Liza. The woman is the epitome of BEXI!!!  I smile, wave and breathe as Debbie joins Liza to cheer us on and I think of all the BEXI community lining the streets today to cheer us Canberra BEXIs on, our families and of the marathoners already running. With a hoot of the horn the crowd surged forward and I smiled as I knew I could and I would.

Amanda Green
1:44 Half-Marathoner
(25th in age-group – top 8%)

 

Junior BEXI shines at Canberra

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It was indeed a family-affair at the recent Australian Running Festival on 11/12 April. Dad Shawn running the marathon; twin-sister Kristine running the half-marathon; and mum Suzanne & son Austin (6yrs) running the 5km. An awesome event to do as a family. Young Austin had the time of his life – proving that you’re never to young to follow in your parents’ footsteps. We’re so proud of our Junior BEXI superstar.

Here’s how Mum Suzanne captured the moment…

Austin chose to run the 5km to participate in Canberra alongside his dad … and also to get a well earned running medal!

Austin and I trained for a couple of months leading up to the event, gradually increasing our distance.  He complained a bit, but he didn’t give up…and he got better and better each run.

With race day upon us, our goal was to run as much of the race as possible and to keep positive.  My target was to cross the finish line under 45 mins. Austin was very excited and took off from the start.  He ran a very consistent first km in 6.45 – not a bad pace.

We walked up the hill to Parliament House and then sprinted down the hill, approaching the last km of the race.  A few tears came at this point, but with the promise of a Rainbow Paddle Pop at the finish line, Austin found his second wind and ran home strongly.  He sprinted the final straight to the finish line and was thrilled to collect his medal!

Shawn and I are both so proud of Austin.  Our Junior BEXI is already chasing that elusive PB – next stop is the 4km Mothers Day Classic in May.

Suzanne Elliott
Mum to Junior BEXI | BEXI Half-Marathoner, April 2015

Camaraderie at the Fore

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The Oxford English Dictionary defines Camaraderie as ‘the mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together’.

That is exactly what our community at Beauty of Exercise (BEXI) is all about. We support each other through the lo’s, celebrate the hi’s… or just have a good laugh with each other.  

A perfect example was at our interval training session earlier in the week. We had three groups training together – 1) Run-FIT; 2) Race-FIT half-marathoners; and  3) Race-FIT marathoners. It was a very tough session – 2km | 1.5km | 1km | 800m – all at fast tempo paces. The final 800m rep was intended for the marathon group only.  The other two groups were gloating that they had finished and didn’t have to do another rep… until they noticed their ‘buddies’ getting ready for the last rep. Not wanting to leave them unsupported, they jumped up and rallied around them for their final 800m rep.

This truly highlighted what an awesome Beauty of Exercise community we have fostered over the past 3yrs. One which is filled with a great sense of camaraderie, team support, motivation and inspiration. Our BEXI community are always there for each other – if someone needs a buddy to run with, we are there to support them. If someone is having a bad day, we are there to lift them up. If someone  is lacking motivation, we are there to inspire them. The true spirit of our BEXI community. That’s what makes us so special. That’s what we love so much!

Debbie Solms

Debbie Solms is an accredited Personal Trainer, Run Coach and founder of Beauty of Exercise – an inspiring women’s running group on Sydney’s Northern Beaches

 

The Road to Coastrek – friends, fitness and coffee!

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In just two weeks, at 7am on Friday the 6th of March 2015, a small group of our Beauty of Exercise (BEXI) community will begin the final phase of an incredible Coastrek adventure that started almost exactly six months ago.

In September 2014, the call was put out among the BEXI community for any brave souls who would be interested in walking 55 kilometres from Palm Beach to Balmoral – to raise awareness about our gorgeous coastline and raise money for the Fred Hollows Foundation. The BEXI-Trekkers was born.

With great excitement Lucia Hains, Liza Dukino, Lisa Bale and I (Kristin Prescott) signed up. We knew eachother, but with every kilometre of training it wasn’t only our fitness that grew, so did our friendship. The BEXI community rallied behind us, supporting us during walks and fundraising – but then came a crushing blow. An injury ended Liza’s walking journey. Gutted as she was, she embodied the BEXI spirit – shifting into the role of super support crew and we welcomed the lovely Kym Gray into the team.

Now with just one big training walk to go, The BEXI-Trekkers are nearing the end of this challenging but rewarding journey. But none of us will ever lose the bond that’s been forged along beaches, over headlands, boardwalks, ocean trails and through plenty of laughter … and coffee!