Jenny Lin

Sports Award

Age:

18

Biography

I am a runner, rower and powerlifter from Leicestershire. My fitness journey began in lockdown during Covid-19, during which I first became interested in running and strength training. Before this, I had been generally inactive and had never really participated in any sports. I remember struggling to run the 800m race on sports day in secondary school, which seems crazy to me now as I am training for something over 50 times that distance. When I first started, my aim was simply to increase my fitness levels as I suffered from mild asthma throughout my childhood, and to pass some of the excess free time that came about due to the pandemic. I also started rowing and weightlifting at this time, and these have become full-time hobbies which I compete in regularly.

In April 2022, I decided that I loved running so much that I would try to run every day for a year, and I managed 241 consecutive days before falling ill at Christmas time. I completed two half-marathons and absolutely loved the challenge, hence why I signed up for the 2024 London Marathon.

Having volunteered at the British Heart Foundation for the last three years, I have seen how much positive impact they have had on people suffering from heart disease. I want to continue showing my support for the work that they do, which is why I have decided to run the 2024 London Marathon in support of the BHF. This way, I am able to create a positive impact whilst pushing myself physically more than I ever have before.

I am extremely grateful to the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust's Inspire Awards scheme for supporting me in my journey and helping me develop as a young athlete. With their help, I am able to level up my training and improve my sports performance!

I love all things movement and I think that being active is a key factor in staying happy and healthy. I was never any good at 'conventional sports' due to my poor hand-eye coordination, but I found my love for running three years ago and I think there is something out there for everyone.