All Access Program.

I started on the program just before new years when I got back to work. Previous to this, I had no real running experience. I played a handful of social games of touch 12 months prior, and even decided to lace the boots back up and played rugby again for the first time in 14 years, albeit in a pretty social grade. My thoughts around running was there wasn’t much to running, apart from putting some shoes on and getting out on the road or treadmill, boy was I wrong!!

I have never loved running or understood why people loved it so much I actually hated it. I always thought it to be very boring. Or that’s at least what I told myself to stop myself from giving it a go. This whole mentality in itself is what brought me to where I am now, in training and wanting to complete a half marathon.

Previous to my decision to sign up to Arana’s program, I found myself kind of ‘stuck in a rut’ with my overall health and wellbeing and was just cruising through life. I felt I needed to change things up, so decided to get right out of my comfort zone (in search of growth) and do something I hated, or tried to avoid, which was running. So I signed up to do a half marathon knowing damn well I could hardly run 2kms 😂.

I reached out to the bro, who I had been following for months prior and reconnected with him which I hadn’t done since high school days. He set me up straight away and got me into the program which was full on, especially for a newbie, but it brought with it structure and accountability which I didn’t know I really needed at the time. The program had me building small habits right from the get go and working towards a goal I had set out to accomplish. I was a little worried about the amount of weekly training I needed to get through, especially while working offshore doing 13hr days for 21 days at a time. I thought I wouldn’t have the time or energy to get through this much training during that time.

As I started the training, the early morning sessions before work, and the occasional 2 sessions a day throughout the week. What surprised me the most, was that the more I actually got into the early morning trainings before work the more energised & focused I felt throughout the day. But the area that has had the biggest impact is the productivity and positivity it has brought to my work life. I work in an upper management position which brings with it challenges and certain levels of stress which I am now able to navigate stress free and clear headed which has had a positive impact on my team. These daily habits that I have learnt and implemented from AJs program have now become a way of life for me and have created a better version of me, not only for myself, but for my family, friends and work family offshore.

I never ever thought I would love running but the growth that I have experienced from diving head first into the uncomfortable has had such a positive impact on me, that it is hard not to love it and want to get after it every day.