I want to run like a young deer over the fields and hills, till I’m 90!” 

This was one of the first things she said to us. 

Meet Fleur Joyce

  Running & Happiness

Fleur loves the feeling of strength, body confidence, and the freedom that comes with running. 

Some days I feel like a lumpy great hippo, some like a young gazelle, but never regret getting out to run!”

Her first attempts at running as an adult came as she stopped smoking when she was 30… Trying to run reminded her of why she needed to quit and helped the cravings for cigarettes melt away better than anything. 

Fleur has done other sports, but none have been so flexible and easy to get on with than running, nor so quick to get improved fitness. 

Following the CP training program has brought me massive improvements and resolution of injury niggles, and I still think there are PBs ahead of me at my great age!” 

Recent Achievements

I just did my 5k TT with a fair bit of trepidation and not much feeling of oomph after an injury and quite a long break from training.”

Fleur did it in an incredible 26.59. 

She says that the numbers don’t matter too much to her. She thinks it’s great to see PBs happening and over the last 12 months she’s improved a lot, especially over her 5km and 10k’s which have always felt a bit too short for her strengths… but of course, they are nice to get. 

My favorite moment of last season was winning my age category in my home town’s half marathon – I so didn’t expect that I nearly left without hearing about my prize! That’s my first ever running trophy and really fun to get.”

Fleur joined Coach Parry in April 2021 after seeing the introductory video. She told us that she tends to rebel when she …’ has to do something, but that she really wanted to try a training program and give it her best shot.

I liked the idea of a system for older runners as I was struggling with plantar fasciitis that wouldn’t go. I liked the friendliness of the team which creates a feeling you can be any kind of runner and still get loads out of it.”

Strong female runner

Join us for a free online presentation of the…

The Running Through Menopause Masterclass

…and discover how you can run well (and faster) as you get olderwithout training more or harder than you currently are, all while avoiding injury. 

If it feels like you’re training harder than ever but not running the paces you’d like to be running or if you’re constantly tired, fatigued or running in some sort of pain, then this is specifically for you.

Save Your Seat In This Training Now…

Bigger Contributor To Her Success

Fleur says that following the program pretty much to the letter. So being consistent, and trusting the process is what has helped with her running success. 

I love the live strength sessions, I’d never have stuck to the program without those.”

When she was 12 or so, her games teacher said that she wasn’t at all sporty…

In the words of Fleur: “Ha Ha Ha”.

Motivation Whackers

Fleur has experienced some niggly injuries lately coupled with the cold, short days, which have whacked motivation for a while, but she says that it’s coming back. 

I think those psychological elements can be the hardest, when ‘can’t be bothered’ creeps in.”

The Hardest Part Of Reaching PB’s

The hardest part of reaching her goals and PB’s was balancing training against all the other demands of life… And the pain of running hard up hills!

I would still like to beat my half marathon PB from Amsterdam in 2005. But really I’ll be happy to keep the running going into the future at whatever level, just for strength and mobility.”

Keep up the amazing work Fleur, We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!

See you in the strength sessions. 🙂

Author

Shona is the former Head of Sport Science at the High-Performance Centre, University of Pretoria. She returned from Madrid, Spain, in 2013 where she completed her MBA in Sport Management with Universidad Europea de Madrid (Real Madrid FC). Shona’s current work and interest lies in endurance sport (running/triathlon) conditioning and sport science working with elite ultra-endurance athletes such as Caroline Wostmann (2015 Comrades & 2Oceans winner). Aside from football strength & conditioning, Shona’s other passion and expertise lies in endurance sport (running/triathlon) as well as Women in Sport. She has competed in 4 Half IronMan distance events and three 2Oceans Ultramarathons herself. She has also worked with other elite female athletes such as London 2012 bronze medallist in canoeing, Bridgitte Hartley.

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