A couple of weeks ago, the Sober Business Network Whatsapp group was filled with laughter as we enjoyed Michael Sargood's first foray into standup comedy.
I'm very much part of the "sober fitness fanatic" tribe too! I had always run but only to punish myself for drinking and eating too much before I got sober four years ago. I then started to actually enjoy running, but did so much I got injured. So I took up cycling and swimming and then when my injury healed, I strung it all together and took up triathlon. (I can't seem to do things by halves.)
I've met so many fantastic, positive people through my running, cycling and triathlon clubs, done my first marathon, and I've also inspired my stepdad, who also quit the booze two years ago, to take up triathlon. He's going for a Team GB place in the 75-79 year old category next summer! I'm also going to run the London Marathon for the Sober Butterfly Collective, a voluntary group that helps people socialise without alcohol, in April after getting a club plcae.
I think sober sleep is what really changed things for me - going to bed early to avoid the triggering experience of sitting on the sofa after work once the kids were in bed, and sleeping really well, meant that I was able to get up early and run before work. Once I noticed how much more energy I had if I exercised in the mornings I was hooked. I'm so glad you've found some solace in hiking and running - maybe we'll line up at the start of an event together one day.
It's a great tribe to be part of, isn't i used to do the exercise as punishment thing too, it's awful isn't it?
I've had the word "triathlon" hover dangerously near my brain too .. but I don't own a bike and am a pretty poor swimmer so luckily I've not been lured by that shiny thing too much 🤣🤣 although two half marathons when 6 months ago I didn't run at all is still pretty bonkers!
And how awesome is your stepdad!! What a guy! Is the London marathon going to be your first marathon? How exciting for you!
Sober sleep is a huge deal isn't it? When I was doing my yoga teacher training, I stopped drinking in the week so I could get up early for my daily practice. Sleep was really hard at first, but once I learned to relax I could sleep and woke up actually feeling refreshed, it was astonishing!
I'd love if we meet at the start line somewhere but in the meantime, hopefully we'll meet on a SBN zoom call sometime! 💜
If you ever do want to tick off a triathlon but very cheaply and in a low-key manner, check out Swim-Bike-Run events near you - they are taster events for people who just wnat to try triathlon but not get silly with it! You can swim breaststroke, they're often in a pool not open water, and you can do it on any old bike - many have hire available on the day.
It's my second marathon - I did the Rob Burrow marathon in Leeds last year and loved it (even the hill!) I just did run-walk-run for miles 2-20 and that felt totally manageable so I was able to run the last 6 as it was all downhill.
Sober sleep is life changing! It impacts your energy for the whole day so positively.
Let me know what races you're doing and maybe we can indeed meet on that start line sometime!
I'm very much part of the "sober fitness fanatic" tribe too! I had always run but only to punish myself for drinking and eating too much before I got sober four years ago. I then started to actually enjoy running, but did so much I got injured. So I took up cycling and swimming and then when my injury healed, I strung it all together and took up triathlon. (I can't seem to do things by halves.)
I've met so many fantastic, positive people through my running, cycling and triathlon clubs, done my first marathon, and I've also inspired my stepdad, who also quit the booze two years ago, to take up triathlon. He's going for a Team GB place in the 75-79 year old category next summer! I'm also going to run the London Marathon for the Sober Butterfly Collective, a voluntary group that helps people socialise without alcohol, in April after getting a club plcae.
I think sober sleep is what really changed things for me - going to bed early to avoid the triggering experience of sitting on the sofa after work once the kids were in bed, and sleeping really well, meant that I was able to get up early and run before work. Once I noticed how much more energy I had if I exercised in the mornings I was hooked. I'm so glad you've found some solace in hiking and running - maybe we'll line up at the start of an event together one day.
It's a great tribe to be part of, isn't i used to do the exercise as punishment thing too, it's awful isn't it?
I've had the word "triathlon" hover dangerously near my brain too .. but I don't own a bike and am a pretty poor swimmer so luckily I've not been lured by that shiny thing too much 🤣🤣 although two half marathons when 6 months ago I didn't run at all is still pretty bonkers!
And how awesome is your stepdad!! What a guy! Is the London marathon going to be your first marathon? How exciting for you!
Sober sleep is a huge deal isn't it? When I was doing my yoga teacher training, I stopped drinking in the week so I could get up early for my daily practice. Sleep was really hard at first, but once I learned to relax I could sleep and woke up actually feeling refreshed, it was astonishing!
I'd love if we meet at the start line somewhere but in the meantime, hopefully we'll meet on a SBN zoom call sometime! 💜
If you ever do want to tick off a triathlon but very cheaply and in a low-key manner, check out Swim-Bike-Run events near you - they are taster events for people who just wnat to try triathlon but not get silly with it! You can swim breaststroke, they're often in a pool not open water, and you can do it on any old bike - many have hire available on the day.
It's my second marathon - I did the Rob Burrow marathon in Leeds last year and loved it (even the hill!) I just did run-walk-run for miles 2-20 and that felt totally manageable so I was able to run the last 6 as it was all downhill.
Sober sleep is life changing! It impacts your energy for the whole day so positively.
Let me know what races you're doing and maybe we can indeed meet on that start line sometime!