Meet My BFF (That's Best Fitness Friend)

Starting a new fitness regime can be hard – but by working out with a friend, these women were able to succeed!

- Gillian Harvey

‘LOYALTY AND FRIENDSHIP GOT US THROUGH A MARATHON’

Mandy Rees, 45, lives in Birmingham with her husband Keri and daughters Grace, 14, and Neave, 10

‘I first met Helen when our daughters started a gym class together in 2010. I mentioned I wanted to shift my baby weight. ‘Come running with me!’ she suggested, explaining that she’d just taken it up in a bid to shed a few pounds.

At first I was daunted, but Helen encouraged me. ‘It’ll be fun doing it together!’ she said. Nervously, I met her after the school drop-off and we hit the streets. I found it tough, but I paced myself and my fitness began to improve.

Helen was a little fitter, having already started running, but she was very patient with me and never made me feel inadequate.

We soon began to run a 5km route come rain or shine, three times per week – and amazingly I started to look forward to it! We could chat as we ran. Putting the world to rights was therapeutic!

In 2011, Helen suggested we try running the London Marathon. It was a huge aim, but I decided it was my turn to support her after all she’d done for me in the early days.

During the marathon, loyalty and friendship kept us going. I’d have stopped at around mile 16 without Helen, then when she hit a low point just before the finish I found myself egging her on.