From hating running to becoming a full-on marathon ambassador, South Maclean’s Alexandria McClelland is a special kind of person.
Last year, Ms McClelland became a Marathon Ambassador for Atlas Events – a company that’s hosts marathons around Australia to raise funds for charities and local community groups – which is something she thought she would never say.
“I started running about two years ago and honestly I hated it,” she said.
“I grew up swimming and then got into the gym, so running was never really my thing.”
Ms McClelland – who is studying Exercise and Nutrition at the University of South Australia – said her running journey all started with a university assignment.
“It actually started through a university assignment where we had to run two 10km runs,” she said.
“Going from not running at all to doing that felt like being thrown straight in the deep end, but I remember finishing my first one in 1 hour and 7 minutes and thinking, okay maybe I can do this.”
Since then, Ms McClelland has done a range of half and full marathons, charity runs and park runs, with her most recent run being the Hobart Marathon in April where she finished the full 42km race.
“Out of the two full marathons I’ve done, that one meant the most,” she said.
“I ended up running a 30-minute personal best, which still feels surreal.”
“In my first marathon I cried a lot and I wanted to give up; it was tough mentally. This time, I didn’t cry at all. I felt stronger, calmer, and able to take it all in.”
Ms McClelland said her biggest inspiration is her dad.
“He’s one of the fittest and healthiest people I know, but more than that, his discipline is something I really look up to,” she said.
“A big part of why I push myself is because I want to make him proud.”
Ms McClelland said her family, partner and late grandfather also push her to stay motivated and “keep showing up”.
Although a lot of people don’t like running, Ms McClelland said she believes running is for everyone.
“There’s no runner type,” she said.
“Two years ago, I couldn’t stand it and now it’s such a big part of my life. That alone shows that anyone can do it if they’re willing to give it a go.”
“It does not matter how old you are, where you come from, what body type you are, if you want to do it, you can do it.”
If you are looking at starting running, Ms McClelland has some tips for you.
“Slow down, like really slow down,” she said.
“So many people go out way too fast, get out of breath, their heart rate spikes, and they think running just isn’t for them.”
“If you start at a conversational pace where you can still talk while running, it completely changes the experience. Your body adapts, your confidence builds, and suddenly it feels doable.”
Ms McClelland’s next run will be a half marathon in Brisbane in June, and then another full marathon on the Sunshine Coast in August.
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