I grew up in Milton Keynes and never got into any outdoor pursuits until I started running just before I went to university. During that time, I was lifeguarding at a gym where a lot of people did triathlons and iron man races, so I started getting into running through that and went all in, which led to me running a marathon. I ran a sub-4-hour marathon which was a big milestone for me – I'd gone from not running at all to getting really stuck into my training and making some amazing connections through that.                               

I have a group of friends who I meet up with for weekends in the outdoors – trail races, triathlons, or visiting a beautiful place where we’ll do something to challenge us. I met them at university through an outdoor club – I’d never had much experience of the outdoors and now I had a group of people to enjoy it with.

It was quite a competitive atmosphere, but I loved being challenged in that way. It's something I’ve taken into my life beyond university. When I go out and do these things, I show myself what I can do – I get such a boost from challenging myself in outdoor environments. 

I’ve struggled with self-confidence but showing myself what I can do has built my confidence a lot. I love to push myself and try new things. Even just doing a 5k parkrun on a Saturday, I really enjoy that. It helps me reset and gives me something to focus on when I’m stressed or have imposter syndrome. I sometimes doubt myself, but the outdoors is this symbolic place where I can prove what I’m capable of. I show myself that I can achieve what I set out to do.

I do a lot of research and look at reviews with the question of whether the kit serves the exact purpose I need it for. For example, I recently bought a watch for a triathlon so I focused on what features I need and how it will perform during that race. I seek guidance from brands and experts whose knowledge and expertise I can trust. I also see my friends or those I admire wearing certain brands or pieces and it does make me want to wear them or investigate that brand too.

Every purchase I make is very considered. I always think ‘is it going to last?’. Quality and function are big factors when buying running kit. I won’t buy something cheap that won’t last – I want to invest in a piece of kit if I think it’s the right piece of kit and I have sought advice from experts who attest to its quality.

Seeing and touching it in person is also helpful when looking for good quality kit – I will go to the store, chat with the kit specialists and make sure it’s something that will be functional and can be used for many years to come. I also take care of my kit – I fix things and make sure they last. I’ve still got some kit from my Duke of Edinburgh that I still use now for muddy trail runs. 

My first marathon in 2011 was a big moment – it sparked my passion for training and racing. I had a running buddy who was instrumental in me running a marathon – looking back on it now, I’d never had anything to work towards like that before, so it felt like a big achievement. In summer 2023, I did the Dart 10k (a 10km swim in the River Dart) which was an amazing experience with friends.   

Thanks for sharing your story and kit expertise with us Katie. If you’ve been inspired to find your happy place or take on your own run challenge, book an in-store appointment with one of our kit specialists, or stop by your nearest Runners Need store.