Some of you may have been following Jackie (one of Therapy’s founders) and her running journey. Last year we even featured a little community run to celebrate a full year of Jackie running.

Well, we are now at 1000 days of running, and we are so proud of how resilient and inspiring Jackie is! We can back Jackie 100% that she has not missed a day, even when it’s been pouring down with rain or she’s battling a cold, that run, even if just a mile, has not been missed.

Jackie wasn’t so sure about this feature, as she’s so humble and doesn’t like the spotlight at all. But we asked very nicely for her to share some words of wisdom, because who knows, it might be this that inspires someone else to create a new habit or challenge, and the benefits of that can be incredible.

So here are Jackie’s words, a little about why she started and how it’s going now.

This all started on a camping trip to Anglesey with a little more time on my hands whilst on holiday meaning that I went for a gorgeous coastal path run each morning.

A few days in and knowing I was going into Autumn when my mood can dip and also wanting to lose a few pounds, I just thought I would carry on for a while. I used to be a keen runner but I’d started to find reasons not to go.

I set myself a goal to run daily for 100 days… and now here we are at 1000.

I know this all might seem a little (possibly a lot) crazy and not for one moment am I suggesting that this should be encouraged but what I want to share with you is that given a certain length of time, positive routines get so much easier to incorporate to the point that they don’t require deliberation or a ‘should I, shouldn’t I’ thought pattern. I’ve got to a point where I just get up and do it, a daily routine that is as simple as brushing my teeth.

When this all started, every single day was a conversation with myself…. It took organisation, discipline and a lot of visualisation of the benefits. Knowing the science of what exercise does for the body spurred me on. And as time went on, the less challenging it became… I know I’m writing this to mark a milestone, but I can honestly say in more recent times that it’s been easy and enjoyable…. I can’t tell you when it got to that point and don’t get me wrong, there is a tough day here and there if I have to fit it in earlier than the early train to London or work around a flight to go on holiday but it’s just part of my routine now.

Wanting to know how far I go or what is my proof of having completed this? Me too! As I don’t wear any ‘wearables’, you only have my word that this happened.

This started as a personal feel good challenge so I didn’t want to create a competition with myself to run faster or harder, the goal was to go out on the day, be in nature as much as possible and see how far my body wanted to go… no EMF, no wifi, no pressure, just appreciation. Saying that, I do take my phone on occasion when I’m on one of my favourite routes to capture a pic of the sunrise from the same spot.

The minimum distance is a mile, but I’ve taken on half marathons, long runs with friends, coastal path and beach routes, deep snow runs in Reykjavik, and of course, the many slogs around the pavements on a cold, rainy winter's morning from home.

Whilst I’m not advocating that daily running is good for everyone, it's clearly not. But my advice is to try and focus on daily habits that make YOU feel good. This will be a different thing for everyone and of course will change as habits change…. It might be a daily juice to nourish the body, taking 5 minutes out of your day to have a cup of tea without distraction to calm the nervous system, it might be a daily puzzle to train the brain, it might be turning up the volume to sing along your favourite song in the car or it might just be a few simple morning stretches.

We’re all different, and I think that’s what makes us beautiful. If this inspires you in any way to create a new positive daily habit, even if only for a few days when you have a little more self care time, I would love to hear what they are!

We all fuel differently, and our body requirements differ from person to person. But there are a few little helpers that are great to support hydration, recovery, and balance along the way.

Electrolyte Fix:

Honestly amazing for hydration for absolutely everyone, but especially for avid runners or anyone doing exercise. The difference between taking this and not is pretty huge.

Joint Complex:

A lovely blend of everything your body and joints love, from anti-inflammatory turmeric to bone supporting MSM and glucosamine, plus vitamin C for collagen support.

Kiki Health Living Superfood:

A greens superfood powder is a great way to get a hit of all those lovely energising B vitamins, super helpful for powering you through a run when your mind isn’t quite in it. Also great for all round energy and a nice gut lift too.

Magnesium, B6, Saffron:

A true favourite at Therapy Organics, amazing if you’re feeling a little low in mood and need encouragement or a motivational boost. Saffron is an incredible mood enhancer and pairs beautifully with magnesium and B6 for energy, relaxation, and nervous system support.

Scandinavian Rainbow Trout Oil:

A fabulous fish oil that includes not just the usual omega-3s but also omega-7, the often forgotten omega, which is amazing for hydrating the body and helping to lubricate joints that need a little loosening up.

Herbtender Perform and Recover:

From exhilarating red ginseng to energy and endurance boosting cordyceps, you know this one’s going to get you going and help with performance. It’s also really nurturing for the adrenal glands and nervous system, thanks to its extra adaptogens and medicinal mushrooms.

We hope you’ve enjoyed some words of wisdom from Jackie. We believe life is about balance and about creating those little habits that work for you.

We hope this has inspired you in some small way, to find that little piece of you that helps too. We would love to hear what you do everyday that is now a non-negotiable, and is just a simple part of your routine.

We all love to learn from each other, and you never know what could inspire others.