Episode 340 - Running the World: Milly Clark’s Journey from Little Athletics to the Olympics

In this episode of the FitMIND FitBODY podcast, I interview the talented and inspiring Milly Clark. Milly shares her story of growing up in St. Leonard’s, near a track that sparked her love for running. From a young age, she was always active, playing various sports and participating in little athletics every Saturday.

Milly talks about her early years and how she loved the excitement of collecting patches and setting personal goals in athletics. She admits she hated cross country because of the long-distance pain, but she loved the quick, intense effort of shorter events.

As Milly grew older, she continued to pursue her passion for running, even as her family moved around the world. She ran in Germany, Indonesia, and the USA, adapting to new places and using running as a way to cope with homesickness and stress.

Milly’s dedication to running led her to compete in various marathons and even qualify for the Olympics. She shares the thrill of her first marathon in Amsterdam, where she exceeded her own expectations and realised her potential to compete at the highest levels.

Throughout our interview, Milly emphasises the importance of setting goals, staying motivated, and enjoying the process of running. She also highlights the significance of having a balanced life, with interests and careers outside of running, which helped her stay grounded and resilient.

Tune in to hear Milly’s incredible journey, her insights on running, and how she balances her passion for the sport with her career as a teacher. Whether you’re an aspiring runner or simply looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and motivating stories.

Milly’s Running tips:

1. Start Slow: Milly emphasises the importance of starting slow and steady. Just like the story of the tortoise and the hare, she believes slow and steady wins the race. It’s important not to try to do too much too soon because your body needs time to adapt.

2. Be Patient: Understand that adapting to running takes time. Don’t get frustrated if progress seems slow; patience is key to preventing injuries and staying motivated.

3. Don’t Stress About Missing Runs: If you miss a run, it’s not the end of the world. Milly shares that missing one run won’t ruin your progress, so it’s okay to be flexible with your schedule.

4. Enjoy Running: The most important thing for beginners is to enjoy running. Make it a fun and enjoyable activity rather than a chore.

5. Avoid Comparisons: Milly advises against comparing yourself to others. Everyone is on their own journey, so focus on your own progress and goals.

6. Set Small Goals: Setting small, achievable goals can help keep you motivated. Whether it’s improving your park run time or participating in a running festival, these goals can give you something to strive for.

7. Control What You Can: Focus on what you can control, such as your own training and effort, rather than worrying about others’ performances.

8. Be Organised: Milly mentions the importance of being organised. For example, laying out your running clothes the night before and having your meals prepped can make it easier to stick to your routine.

9. Stay Consistent: Consistency is crucial. Even if you run every day or have a regular training schedule, it’s important to keep up with it to see progress.

10. Embrace Variety: While Milly prefers road running, she acknowledges the benefits of trying different types of runs, like trails or cross-country, to add variety and challenge to your routine.

**A couple of BIG favours:
1) please like and review this podcast so more people will discover it :)
2) come on the podcast and talk about your running journey and/or refer someone you’d love me to interview (whether you know them or not :) )  Lets not keep the power of running a secret any more!  Hit me up on Facebook/Instagram (FitMIND FitBODY) or send me an email - Michelle @ FitMINDFitBODY .co 

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