Your Running Mate

I wanted to get back into running as I needed exercise with flexibility -excuse the pun! The first thing I loved was that Emma contacted me straight away. She was so bubbly and enthusiastic I couldn't help but book my first run there and then. It was great to be collected as it meant I couldn't chicken out. After a few runs I got my confidence back and my bug for running. Emma then suggested that I join the group runs. I was a bit nervous as I thought everyone would be well honed/ripped runners who would leave me standing ..... What I met was a group of wonderful ladies of all different levels just out for a weekend "trot" and a natter. Your Running Mate is a unique concept and run by an equally unique and amazing lady. If you haven't tried it yet - stop putting it off and give Emma a call. I promise you won't look back. � More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I'm 44, I had never run before and had always lacked confidence to start on my own. Evie arrived for our first session friendly and enthusiastic and put me at ease straight away.
She was very encouraging and gave me excellent tips on how to regulate my breathing, how to hold my arms and asked me what I wanted to achieve. At my first run I could only run for 2 minutes before being exhausted. I began my sessions with her at the beginning of July 2017 and today, I took part in my 1st 5km Parkrun and it felt great. I am so delighted with the level of fitness I have achieved in a relatively short space of time and found a new passion I can't recommend Evie and YourRunningMate highly enough. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I have always jokingly said that if I ever wrote a review for Your Running Mate, I would start it with "Fran makes me cry". And it's true, she does. On so many occasions, I have laughed so much I've cried. We've talked about anything & everything. We have sorted out the world's problems several times, we have puked and we have pretended to be dinosaurs changing a duvet cover (yes, really).....

Fran has always accepted me, never judged me and has never failed to keep pushing me in the right direction (literally & metaphorically). She has stuck up for me when strangers have been cruel, and she isn't uncomfortable if I cry because I've had a rubbish day.

And did I mention that we run together too? When she's not in front of me telling me to speed up, Fran has always been at my side to encourage me, reminding me to breathe & not fall over, because she doesn't want to do the paperwork (!).

Just under a year ago, I think I went into panic mode when I was told we would be running for an entire minute - without stopping. What followed was tears, snot and my own special version of jazz hands. This summer I completed my first ever 5k.

So now, not only am I the proud owner of a great pair of trainers, some funky running leggings and a jogging buggy for my toddler, I am also happy to say that I have regained much of the self-esteem & confidence I had lost a long time ago. And for me, that is the magic of Your Running Mate.

Fran is one of the most awesome people I have the privilege to know. Her kindness and enthusiasm are second to none, and her ability to wibble on about nothing in particular for ages is invaluable. I cannot recommend Fran & Your Running Mate highly enough xx More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I have just completed my first 5k, I have been running with Pam Hutchinson and she is inspiring. The way she got to know me was better than I knew myself, we switched to running in the morning, she got to know that if I didn’t know the route I was better. She taught me to breath as I run, and her motivation and enthusiasm was so genuine you felt she truly was on your side. If your thinking of doing this but aren’t sure you wave able to physically make it Pam is your woman. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Where on earth do I start? This morning I completed my first 5K with Emma. I've never run an entire 5K in my life so today I am over the moon. I started the couch to 5K plan with Emma in January and our first run was with snow on the ground and minus temperatures. Not once did I feel judged or intimidated just encouraged and like a best friend was running with me getting me through the tough times. Despite illness, injury and all the weather conditions you could possibly experience I went from zero levels of fitness to comfortably doing a 5K. Thank you Emma (and Pam who ran with me a couple of times) you are such an inspiration and your passion for just getting out there no matter how slow you are is infectious x More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Just done my first 5K with the lovely Emma. Wow! Thank you thank you thank you for getting me there and having a good laugh along the way! ☺️☺️

Reviewed on Facebook

I never thought in a million years that I would be able to run, let alone get the bug for it! Today Heidi Giffen helped me get to my first 5k which I ran in 37mins with only 8 weeks training. Massively recommend Your Running Mate and especially Heidi! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I started running with Heidi in October, today I just completed my first 5k in 38min and what surprised me most is I actually enjoyed it!
Heidi has not only improved my fitness, but also given me a real enjoyment for running. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

The way to be healthy makes for it to be a good thing. Being able to do any form of exercise must be great , especially after being so active .Diet alone is a poor substitute.

Reviewed on Facebook

Emma and I have been friends for years and she was always badgering me to start running. I really didn't want to. I could see how much weight she had lost through running, and how happy it had made her, but I really didn't think it was for me.

I had dabbled with exercise over the years but never really stuck at it - I'd tried exercise classes and fitness DVDs all of my adult life, but nothing had really grabbed me.

Emma & I still laugh today at the fact she claims I looked at her “with murder in my eyes” when she suggested last Autumn that a) I should give running a go and b) I would fall in love with it almost immediately. She was right.

Our runs were always challenging, but left me looking forward to the next one, believing that I could go a little bit further in our next session. She knew exactly what pace I needed to run at and although she encouraged me to push myself, not once did I feel pressurised or out of my depth.

I have been running now for 16 months, and love it. I completed my first 10k in November in 60 minutes and look forward to many more. My body shape has changed completely and I feel brighter, happier and have loads more energy.

If you're sitting at home feeling unfit, unhealthy and wanting to make a change - CALL EMMA. If she can make me fall in love with running she can do the same for you, and it will be the best call you ever make. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I am absolutely delighted I started running with Emma. She is so endearing and motivational - I would recommend her to others without hesitation .
I have just achieved my goal of 5k today and so impressed I did it as when I started I would struggle to run anywhere. I want to keep running with Emma as she is so nice and I don't want to lose the impetus she has generated . More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Yesssss! I have just completed my 5K with Emma in 35 mins and 52 secs. I am absolutely buzzing. In September I was a "I can't run" kinda girl! ! 4 months later I am running every other day at what appears to be a pretty respectable speed. I have lost weight, my clothes are starting to fit again, some even getting a little loose!! But the biggest change is that I LOVE running. I really do. And that is all thanks Your Running Mate and mine....Emma Al-Jumali . Thank you Emma. I keep laughing when I think I could not run for a minute to start with!! What a turn around. If you are thinking about giving it a go...don't think about it. Just do it !!! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I was looking at Facebook one weekend in September and YourRunningMate appeared on my newsfeed. Something about Emma's story and what she was offering really 'spoke' to me and I seized the moment and just emailed her.

That was a really good decision. Emma responded promptly and sounded fun, flexible and very relaxed. We made a plan which fitted perfectly around my already busy schedule and set a date to start.

Emma proved as lovely in person as she had sounded in her emails and in spite of feeling nervous about what I was letting myself in for, she quickly put me at ease. Initially the programme was tailored to someone very unfit - me!- and gave us a chance to chat during the walking sections and get to know each other. Later, as the distances we were running increased, the chatting on my part stopped!! Little by little the running did become more challenging but the programme of mixing running with walking and slowly shifting the balance between the two really helps and almost tricks you into running longer distances. Sneaky.

This morning I ran 5K without stopping, just as Emma had said I would , although I really hadn't believed her. I felt a huge sense of achievement because I had not felt capable of doing it and have never stuck consistently to any exercise programme before. Just as importantly, I feel as though I will continue running - because it makes me feel good!

What I can truly say is that I couldn't have done it without YourRunningMate. I would not have had the self-discipline to keep going at times, but having Emma running right alongside me - she really does do all the runs rather than stand around watching you do all the work- kept me focused and helped me continue when, in all honesty I felt like stopping. Working with such a supportive, down to earth and encouraging coach guiding me through the process just made all the difference.

Thank you so much Emma- you've been a fab running mate and I can't believe I'm actually looking forward to running into next year with you x More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I started running with Emma back in the Autumn term. I had never taken running seriously and could never get my pace or breathing right. I came across Emma on fb and thought sod it, let's give it a go and if I hate it then at least I've tried. After the first session, I never looked back. It has been hard but when every run is done, it is such a rewarding feeling. You feel like you can conquer the world!! I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety back in July and was determined to find a new hobby or form of exercise that could help me feel better. Running has been a god send. It gives me the chance to have a few hours a week to concentrate purely on my breathing and pace rather then my head feeling like it's going to explode from all my constant thoughts. Honestly, if you're unsure or think you hate running, I've been there. Push past that resistance and get in touch with Emma. Not only does she know her stuff but she is also great company! I will be forever grateful that she came into my life :) xxx More...

Reviewed on Facebook