Jenni Falconer on her disastrous first run, and what motivated her to keep going
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Jenni Falconer is a born runner.
She’s completed the London Marathon nine times, spoken to scores of stars about their love for the sport on her weekly podcast, RunPod, which she started back in 2019, and her Instagram feed is full of pics and videos of her grinning from ear to ear as she clocks up some serious miles.
And now the Scottish-born Smooth Breakfast presenter has released a book, Runner's High, which is packed with research and stories from real runners - including herself. She tells Women’s Health that she wrote it 'to inspire anyone who has fallen off the running wagon to get back on track and get out there…running has so many brilliant benefits - for the body and mind.'
But, Jenni, 48, hasn’t always found running so simple. Speaking to WH as she runs from the Global Radio studios to the gym - very on brand - she explains that her first running experience wasn't 'glamourous or good' - and in fact she finished red faced and very sore.
'I wore men's tracksuit bottoms, terrible trainers, I didn't have a sports bra, so instead, I just wore a normal bra,' she says, recalling her first-ever attempt at running. And it gets worse: 'I had a CD Discman, which jumped when you ran - I tried to shove in my bra, with my house keys in the other cup of my bra - so I of course cut myself. When I got back my face was so red and my legs were like corned beef.’
Highs and lows
That’s not to say that since that initial run that she’s not faced any setbacks. Like any of us who have racked up the miles pounding the pavements, she’s enjoyed some high moments, but also experienced crushing lows. 'I've had it all - injuries, PBs. But I've got more positive memories than I have negative ones because even the times when I've been hugely disappointed, because I've had to pull out of a marathon or a race, you're back running before you know it,’ she adds.
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Mum-of-one Jenni adds that all you need to become a ‘runner’ is motivation.
'I love that you don't need very much at all to get started with your running journey,’ she says. ‘All you need to do is find the motivation to get out the door. And once you get started, well, you learn your lessons as you go along.
'I love the fact that running releases endorphins and makes you feel happy. When I go out it feels like the weight is lifted off my shoulders and suddenly I can see all those things that I was unnecessarily stressing about really don't matter.'
Jenni’s husband, the actor James Midgely, who she wed in 2010, isn't as much of a running convert as she is, and her daughter, Ella, 12, prefers athletics, gymnastics and netball. Despite her passion for running not being a family affair, that hasn't stopped her building up a running community.
'I've made so many friends through running. I've met members of the public on runs, people I run past all the time, and we end up stopping to chat. Also on Instagram, you find that runners like other runners' posts and then when you meet in reality, it's amazing,' she adds.
On the days when she really doesn't want to go for a run, and let's admit it, we've all been there, Jenni has a very simple way of mustering up some motivation. She simply makes herself run to the end of the road and 'normally' she keeps on running, hitting her distance goal for the day.
She also reminds herself that in the time she has spent making excuses to not to go out in the rain, she could have been out for the run and got back again!
'It's too easy, isn't it? You sit there and it's raining, it’s cold. It doesn't look nice. One more cup of tea. Here's the thing though. By the time you've had that third cup of tea, you could have done the exercise, be back and have had a shower,' she says.
She’s also motivated by the thought of seeing a good sunset or sunrise, with runs in Queensland and New South Wales being particularly memorable, taking in the views with scores of other running fanatics.
Closer to home, she also says the thought of a Spanish promenade sees her pulling her trainers on. 'They have these beautiful wide promenades where all the Spanish walk in the evenings. But they are also brilliant in the mornings for running. Running by the sea - it's gorgeous.'
Marathon super-fan
Jenni's a familiar face at the starting line of the London Marathon (2024 was her ninth time competing), what is it about the 26.2 mile race that she loves so much?
'Marathon days are like my Christmas day,' she admits, beaming. In this year's event, Jenni didn't quite hit a PB, but loved it all the same: 'I didn't get the time I was hoping for because I foolishly didn't listen to my own constant advice about wearing the right trainers.
'But I still had the greatest day because it's not about the time, it's not winning the race. This year the crowds were amazing and the camaraderie was just wonderful. The medal was extra special too.'
The presenter, who made her TV debut, back in 1995, when she appeared on the much loved Saturday night show Blind Date also said working towards a marathon gives you focus during those dark months of January and February.
'It gets you out on rainy, cold, snowy days; when you would never ordinarily think about getting up off the sofa - it gives you purpose and loads to look forward to. '
If you’re thinking about running a marathon, Jenni says that consistent training is key, and it's not wise to think you can just 'rock up on the day without any training.'
One piece of advice she wishes she could tell her younger self, however, is that strength training will aid her running experience: 'It's really important, especially as we get older. I didn't do strength training for a couple of years and this is when I picked up quite a lot of injuries, especially in my glutes and hips.'
RUNNER’S HIGH by Jenni Falconer published by Orion Spring is available now in Paperback, eBook and audio £16.99
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