Shropshire Star

What it's like to lose six stone in a year - West Bromwich man gears up for Birmingham 10k race

This time last year Aidan Haibiker weighed 16st 8lbs and struggled to jog even 100 yards.

Published
Aidan Haibiker taking part in the Stourbridge Stagger

But after looking in the mirror one night and realising he no longer recognised himself he decided to take up running to help shed some pounds.

Fast forward 12 months and he is now getting ready to line-up for the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10k after losing almost six stone.

“Running’s given me so much. I’ve lost loads of weight and I feel so much better and mentally sharper," says Aidan, who lives in West Bromwich.

A desk job and poor eating habits had caused the 41-year-old's weight to balloon.

“When I was younger, I was always pretty slim. But when I was in my late 30s, I started an office job. I got into bad dietary habits and put on quite a bit of weight.

“People are often too polite when they see you ballooning up. They don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.

“But everything came to a climax when I looked in the mirror last Spring. I remember it clearly.

“I was getting ready for a night out. I was trying to pull on some jeans but my thighs were saying no. I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognise the person I saw. I thought there and then something had to change," explains Aidan.

Straight away he ditched the junk food and hit the streets in his trainers but it wasn't all smooth sailing

“From that moment, my mind set altered. I cut out the junk and convenience food. A week or so later, I tried to take up running. It was very difficult at first because of the weight I was carrying. I set out to jog one mile. I couldn’t even jog 100 yards. I had to walk the rest of it. But I stuck at it. I slowly got stronger and started running longer distances. Before I knew it, I was taking part in a Park Run and completing 5K. I can’t believe the change in me, ” says Aidan who now weighs less than 11st and has dropped 10 inches in trouser size

He believes he is on course to complete the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10K on May 6 in less than 40 minutes, which would be a staggering achievement considering he could barely jog for 40 seconds a year ago.

Aidan, who will be wearing 30-inch waist shorts at the start-line, will join more than 7,000 other people of all running and walking abilities at the music-loving event.

The 6.2-mile course, which starts in Birmingham city centre, features start waves tuned to the sounds of the 80s, 90s, Noughties – which has almost reached capacity – and today’s tracks.

Starting on Jennens Road, next to Aston University, the route heads downhill past Selfridges and the Bullring Shopping Centre and into Digbeth. It then heads out along Pershore Road to the furthest turn point at Cannon Hill Park.

The course winds through the park and then crosses the road outside of Edgbaston Cricket Ground. Runners will then pass Calthorpe Park before returning back through Digbeth and up a short hill, back to Jennens Road where they will cross the finish-line by the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

After completing the course, the participants will be able to relax and meet up with friends and family in the event village.

Aidan, who has also signed up for the annual Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run half marathon, taking place on Sunday, October 14, says he is feeling confident about the 10k event. “I came first in a recent Park Run at Sandwell Valley and have run 10K in less than 42 minutes in training, so I think a sub 40-minute time is achievable,"he adds.

“I didn’t know how big or inclusive the running community is. For example, there is even a walking wave at the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10K. All abilities are welcome and before I lost my weight, I received lots of encouragement," explains Aidan, who is a member of two running clubs.

He also has lots of encouragement for other people who may be considering taking up running in the future.

“I won’t forget how heavy I was and I hope anyone who reads this, who is thinking about making a change, gets their trainers on.

“Running can be difficult at first, especially if you’re carrying excess weight like I was. But if you stick at it and remain patient with yourself, step by step it gets easier and you’ll be amazed by the benefits.

“I’m now training with both Birchfield Harriers and Tipton Harriers. If I keep progressing, I would love to represent one of them at cross country events in the future,” explains Aidan, who also took part in the Stourbridge Stagger and the six-mile trail run Suicide Six.

And more runners can follow in his footsteps as there is a limited number of places still available for the 10k event. Organisers The Great Run Company have confirmed the last date and time to enter online and collect your running pack in person is 4pm on Friday, May 4.

The Simplyheath Great Birmingham 10K Customer Services desk will open at the Up and Running store on Colmore Row in the city centre between 10am-4pm on Saturday, May 5, from where participants can collect running packs.

The 10k is described as a great training run for those planning on taking on the half-marathon in October.

To enter the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10K go online to www.greatrun.org/great-

birmingham-10k and to enter the half-marathon visit www.greatrun.org/great-birmingham-run