Hayley Teale is 37 and lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She is a personal trainer, and married with two children: Katelyn, 9, and Mitch, 4. She also has two dogs, nine chickens and lots of fish. Since completing this interview, Hayley has moved over to cycling and has joined a women’s cycling team. However, she has only temporarily hung up her running shoes!

1. At what age did you start running?

I was 33 when I started running.

2. Why did you start running?

I had post-natal depression with my first child, so after my second child was born, I found exercise helped keep me off the medication and I was able to cope with life so much better

3. How did you approach running when you first started?

I started on the treadmill at home as I was too scared to venture outside. Once I was comfortable with the treadmill, I decided to be brave and eventually began to run outside. It was just once a week but I loved it. Not long after, I found the Southern Running Group (SRG) and ran with them on a Saturday morning. That was the beginning of my real love for running… now, I run ultra marathons and have never looked back

4. What was hard about running when you first started?

Making the mind control the body and also controlling my breathing.

5. Why did you continue running in the beginning?

I like to push my boundaries, so whether that’s going farther, faster or hillier, I find I am always able to keep myself motivated by new self-goals.

6. When do you usually run? Why at this time/times?

It varies. I prefer to run in the morning, but often I have to fit running in around work and family.

7. What’s your weekly running schedule?

This varies as I cycle too, but I aim to get at least three quality sessions in per week. Long run, hills and speed— and recovery in between. This is in addition to two strength sessions in the gym and cycling

8. Do you run with a friend, in a group or solo? Why?

I run with friends and solo. It depends when I run and what my session is.

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9. Are you a member of any online running groups or forums? If so, what are the benefits of being involved?

No. I am part of the running community and have running friends. I do keep in touch with people on Facebook though, so that’s online in a sense, though not in a forum as such.

10. Where do you run? What’s your preference and why?

Preferably trails, they are much better for your body… and beautiful too!

11. What obstacles or challenges have you had to overcome with your running?

Injuries, for example, muscle tears and stress fractures. Working full-time and being a parent to two kids and finding time to train. The usual challenges!

12. What are your running goals over the next year or so?

I am cycling the Gran Fondo in September 2015. Then possibly Yurrebilla Ultra Marathon. More cycling in October with the Australian Masters Games. Possibly Heysen 105. Then the Alpine Challenge at the end of November before turning my training back to cycling ready for the 3 Peaks Challenge Cycling event in March next year.

13. Is there anyone in particular who inspires you to keep running, or inspires you as a runner?

No one particular person, but I have many lovely running friends who each inspire me in their own way.

14. What are your favourite two running items, or running items that you can’t do without? Why?

My running shoes. and my watch as I love to analyse my data.

15. What do you love about running?

Running is ‘me’ time. I am able to zone out for hours at a time and be out among nature at its best. I am happy to run alone or have a natter with friends as we go, so long as I am running or cycling, I am happy. It makes me a better person!

16. What advice would you give to anyone new to running, or thinking about taking it up?

Set small goals and keep a moving target. Prioritise yourself at times. Even if you don’t feel like running, get out of the door as 99.9% of the time, you will feel better after the first 10 minutes, so push on through and you will reap the benefits. Don’t be afraid—life is for living and we are only here once. Overcome those self-limiting obstacles and do what scares you—what is the worse that can happen?

Running with Sisters is a guest post series that provides running advice, inspiration and motivation to women of all running abilities, ages and weight. If you’d like to tell your story, just fill out the interview questions on this form and I’ll schedule you in.

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