Member Inspiring Story – Jayden Halliday – Adapting Fitness for a Marathon Challenge…

Our latest inspiring story is a familiar face and another of our brilliant instructor team, Jayden Halliday.  For those that don’t know, Jayden teaches five classes with us every week; Les Mills Body Pump, Attack* and Balance.  It goes without saying that he’s a fit guy, but he will readily admit he is not a natural runner! Yet, he has set himself a challenge outside of his fitness comfort zone… a marathon! 

Those that do know Jayden will know he’s tall and solidly built! At 6ft 1 he admits he’s not built for running, a very different discipline from the cardio and core class workouts he is used to. Having participated in Les Mills classes from the early age of 16 (they helped him lose over 20kgs!), Jayden prefers the structure and accountability of classes across his week and is now proud to be on the other side, teaching and inspiring people to get fitter and healthier. Running was a distant memory until he found out in May that he had secured a place in the London Marathon with the children’s charity Barnardo’s.

This is not his first marathon, however, as he completed the Paris Marathon in 2018 (in 4 hours and 35 minutes) and he always hoped to one day get the chance to do London. Then along came that opportunity earlier this year but with less than 5 months to get marathon ready!  Speaking to Jayden this didn’t put him off. As his base fitness level was high, he felt he could adapt his training, introduce running and work on his endurance to get him through. 

And through his membership and commitment that is what he’s done!  As well as his own five taught classes, he’s been going to GRIT Cardio and Les Mills Core to really work on that core strength.  He knows that as well as mental strength that will be what sees him through on the day.  He’s also been running 5k’s on the treadmills in the gym, doing road runs and resting and relaxing those muscles in the pool and hydropool.  To aid his training efforts he has also stopped drinking – those that know Jayden will realise that has been a challenge in itself! He really believes it’s making a difference, but does admit he’s looking forward to celebrating with a glass or two after the marathon.  We think that will be well deserved!  Everything in moderation…

Jayden has set himself an impressive target of getting under 4 hours and 30 minutes shaving a little off that Paris time. However, our bodies can often send a curve ball when we push them and we pick up little injuries here and there, which Jayden unfortunately has, making this time target an even greater challenge for him.  He has developed something called Plantar Fasciitis, which is a pain on the bottom of your foot, around your heel and arch and the doctor prescribes rest!  Not easy to do when you teach and are training so he’s doing brilliantly to get the balance of rest and exercise right to be ready for London on October 2^nd.  An inspiration to us all!

Jayden has already hit his fundraising target, with an excellent fundraising effort, but we are sure that Barnardo’s could do with every extra penny, so if you would like to donate you can find his page here.

Everyone at the Club wishes Jayden the very best of luck. We can’t wait to hear the time you complete it in and hope that the heel is ok!

If you are considering taking on a fitness challenge and would like some advice on adapting (or starting!) your training, do get in touch with our Fitness Manager Katy, on [email protected] and she will be happy to help.

*If you can’t catch Jayden in the Club for one of his classes, we do live stream his Sunday morning 10am Body Attack on Club Towers Live (www.clubtowerslive.com) which all members get access to as part of membership.  His enthusiasm and energy is infectious, give it a go! If you don’t have your access code, do email [email protected] and we will happily send you one.