Glenn before (left) and after he discovered running
I was into running when I was younger, and did the Great North Run when I was 17. During university, I stopped doing any exercise. After that, I started working in London, drinking lots and eating poorly as I didn’t have time to cook proper meals.
Over Christmas 2008, I was in the pub and one of the regulars put her hand on my belly and shouted, “Hey, Santa! When will I get my presents this year!” The jibbing got a bit intense that night, and I was a bit mortified.
I went on the internet and searched, ‘how to lose weight’. I joined Weight Watchers after reading their ‘science’ section, which put into perspective what I needed to do: reduce my calorie intake and increase my use of calories by exercising.
I found it hard to reduce my chocolate and beer intake. I’d always drunk ale and this was a heavy contributor to my weekly calorie intake. I moved to gin and slimline tonic and started eating less chocolate. I was hungry all the time, so I realised I needed to do something that would let me eat more. I started to run again.
My first run was a 5K run/walk, as advised by internet sources. It took 45 minutes and my belly was killing me, probably due to all the fat bouncing up and down. I used to eat a lot of takeaway Chinese, burgers and pizza, and drink a lot of ale. During the dieting phase I reduced this a lot, but now I’m eating bad stuff in moderation. I try to eat pasta with vegetables and other wholesome meals during the week, so I can pig out at the weekend.
I started running two to three times per week. My goal was to run 5K non-stop, then I upped it to 6K, 7K, and so on. I entered the Great Edinburgh Run 10K with my partner, which helped spur me on. The race helped me focus on my training, and I finished in 50 minutes.
I lost all the weight within seven months of starting running. Running my first marathon in Edinburgh in 2010 was a great moment; it nearly broke me, but crossing the finish line was a massive achievement and very emotional. Losing weight and running went hand in hand. The more weight I lost, the better at running I became, and the more I ran, the more weight I lost. It was a perfect relationship as running meant I could eat more, and drink more!
I’ve since done several marathons and half marathons. My marathon PB is 3:30:32, at Dublin in 2011. I’ve been doing triathlons and completed an Ironman this year, but I want to focus on running, as this is where I am happiest.
My health has improved massively; I used to get heartburn every night and catch colds regularly, but not anymore. I have so much energy now, which transfers to my job and general life satisfaction.
