Kelly M.

I came across SHIFT on social media and decided to give it a go as a fairly new runner looking to challenge myself and, if I’m honest, be held accountable! I can struggle with a bit of social anxiety, so turning up on my own without knowing anyone was a huge step for me. But from the moment I arrived, everyone was so friendly and welcoming that those nerves disappeared pretty quickly. I’m definitely one of the slower runners, but I’ve never once been made to feel like I don’t belong. There are always people happy to hang back with me, whether it’s to chat and distract me from the miles or to encourage me and cheer me on. Both approaches have worked brilliantly, and with everyone’s support this “slow runner” has smashed a few PBs! It’s not just the running either. The social side is fantastic - pub runs, pancake runs and loads of other events that make running feel fun rather than a chore. If you’re ever struggling to find motivation, this is exactly the kind of community you need. One of my favourite things is the WhatsApp and Strava communities. Being held accountable really works for me, and seeing everyone else’s achievements genuinely inspires me to keep going and push myself a little further. I’m so grateful I found SHIFT and genuinely recommend it to anyone, whatever your pace or experience. Taylor has created something really special, and it’s made such a positive difference to my running journey.