We catch up with actor Carrie Hope Fletcher
23 September 2020
The actor, author and vlogger Carrie Hope Fletcher is just one of the famous faces taking part in the virtual Vitality London 10,000 this autumn. We caught up with her to find out why she’s looking forward to running for her head and her heart, what the Celebrate You theme means to her, and why channelling her inner Usain Bolt was a mistake she will never repeat...
Vitality London 10,000: why did you start running?
My sister-in-law, Giovanna Fletcher [best-selling author of Happy Mum, Happy Baby], was running the Vitality London 10,000 last year and wanted a bit of support so she asked me if I’d run with her. That was in May 2019 and more than a year later I’m still at it!
What motivates you to run?
The challenge. Nothing has ever challenged me mentally and physically as much as running does.
How often do you go out running?
Three times a week. I’m slow, and I’d say it’s more like bouncy walking than running, but I try to get a few 5Ks in each week.
Celebrate You is all about running for your head and your heart. How has running helped improve your mental health and wellbeing?
I don’t think I have enough words to express how much running has helped. I suffer from anxiety and running helps me focus all that nervous, worried energy into something productive. Running allows me to focus on my body for a while and lets my mind wander.
What advice would you offer a first-time runner or someone considering taking up running?
Take it slow! I was a fool when I started running because I thought I could be Usain Bolt on my first run. I managed 600 metres and thought I was going to pass out. Slow and steady might not win the race, but it finishes the race, which is always my personal goal. I just need to cross the Finish Line and that’s a win for me!
You’re running the first-ever virtual Vitality London 10,000 in a few weeks – why should other people sign up to join you?
If you’re not someone who’s ever really run before – like I hadn’t before my first 10K– running a 10K will feel euphoric once you’re done. I couldn’t quite believe I’d done it; it was the best feeling ever. So good in fact I kept running and completed The Vitality Big Half in March this year too!