Meet Joane and Alyas, our next pair of #MotivateAMate winners

Introducing our next pair of #MotivateAMate winners, Joanne and Alyas.

Sometimes all it takes is some encouragement to get you going again. Whether it’s to help push you through that final mile or to motivate you to get out of bed for an early training session.

That’s why we’ve relaunched this year’s #MotivateaMate competition, to celebrate the role that running buddies, friends and family play in making training and running a marathon that much easier.

Our lucky winners have been given VIP entries into the 2022 Yorkshire Marathon, entry into our marathon training day in July, as well as a load of other free goodies from our partners Erdinger Alkoholfrei. In return, they’ll be taking us on their marathon journey over the next few months, sharing the ups and downs as they prepare for this year’s Yorkshire Marathon.

Keep reading to find out more about Joanne and Alyas, their running journey so far, and why they decided to enter the competition.

We’d love to know more about why you both decided to enter?

Joanne: I decided to enter as I felt that it would give me a goal and focus to aim for. Having run regularly around 20 years ago to having sporadic bursts of running, I felt that it would motivate me to get back into running regularly. I have also put on weight and I am hoping that having a goal to work towards will help me with the weight loss. Alyas has also been talking about doing a marathon so I felt that it would give him the opportunity and motivation to achieve that.

Are you both seasoned runners or are you just starting out on your running journey?

Joanne: I ran regularly around 20 years ago and did a couple of half marathons but having a family resulted in my not running very much. I have been doing very small runs over the last couple of months. Alyas has been running regularly over the last couple of years around an hour most days in an effort to improve his fitness.

Have either of you taken part in a Marathon before?

Joanne: My longest run to date was the Great North Run about 15 years ago which I trained for and got through despite having a stitch most of the way. Prior to running it I increased my daily mileage. Alyas’ longest run is a 10k that he did a couple of weeks ago, his first run.

What are your top tips for motivation when you really don’t want to go out?

Joanne: My motivation is that I often do small runs with my dog and the fact that I have to walk her anyway means that I can do both jobs at once. I do enjoy the small runs off track though as it gets me out into the woods and amongst nature. However they are only around 5k in length so I have a lot of work to do. I also work in a stressful job as a nurse and the runs provide as a release from that.

How do you both feel about taking part in the Yorkshire Marathon?

Joanne: We are both excited but obviously apprehensive. Neither of us are spring chicken anymore but we are committed to putting the work in to what is a lifelong dream for both of us.

Do you have any running goals for this challenge/ this year?

Joanne: My running goal this year is to establish a regular running routine again with a view to running the marathon in October. 

For more Marathon updates from Joanne and Alyas, keep an eye out on here and our social channels over the next coming weeks and months.