Helen Skelton added yet another accolade to her stacked fitness CV over the weekend, completing the Great North Run in an impressive time of 2:03:39.
At 43, that half marathon time puts her in the ‘intermediate’ category for her age, according to data from Running Level. However, as she recently told Press Association (PA), the times aren’t her primary concern.
‘I do it to get through it and say I can do it,’ she said of her approach to running the Great North Run, which she’s done numerous times over the years. ‘I can’t nag the kids about doing stuff if I don’t do it myself. So well-being-wise, I always have something to train for.’
Running is just one part of Skelton’s fitness routine, but she’s not a keen gym-goer. For her, the key is enjoyment – and while the gym might be a source of joy for some people, Skelton says she finds her joy in other places.
‘I’ve always said I exercise to keep my head peachy, rather than my bum peachy,’ she explained. ‘I do it for me – you’ve got to enjoy it. I can’t just go to the gym for going to the gym’s sake – I sort of wander around and chat to people, and I’m like “I don’t really know why I’m here”. I’m the kind of person that needs to have something to train for.’
Here’s a closer look at the routine Skelton uses to stay fit at 43, and why it’s such a well-rounded approach.
Helen’s current fitness routine Running
As you might expect from someone who has been training for a half marathon, Helen has been running a fair bit recently, doing about three running sessions a week.
‘This time of year is good for running,’ she told PA. ‘So I go out early, before the kids are awake, or they’ll be on their bikes.’
As well as being something she enjoys, Helen’s running habit is also fantastic for longevity.
One study involving more than 4,000 participants found that adults who jogged or ran at least 75 minutes per week had, on average, a biological age 12 years younger than those who didn’t do any jogging or running.
Meanwhile, Professor Dan Augustine, a consultant cardiologist and medical director of Sports Cardiology UK, previously told Women’s Health that ‘Studies have shown that if you compare runners with non-runners, those who run as little as seven minutes a day have lower risk of death from cardiac causes.’
Helen also shared with the Press Association that her fitness routine currently includes hiking, swimming and golf.
Hiking
Hiking has grown in popularity in recent years, with a growing body of evidence highlighting its benefits.
In a review of existing research published earlier this year, researchers noted that ‘outdoor hiking activities have widespread and profound effects on enhancing individual physical and mental health’.
Swimming
Similarly, many studies have highlighted the physical and mental health benefits of swimming, which is an effective low-impact workout.
‘It is a true full-body exercise, involving the upper body, trunk, hips and legs simultaneously,’ personal trainer Georgia Garlick previously told WH, also noting that it ‘forces rhythmic, controlled breathing, which has clear benefits for cardiorespiratory efficiency and CO₂ tolerance.’
Golf
As for Helen’s other favourite way to exercise, one landmark study comparing golfers with non-golfers found an apparent 40% lower mortality rate in golfers – which authors noted was equivalent to a five-year increase in life expectancy.
So, what’s next for Helen after her GNR triumph?
‘My friends always laugh because they’re like “You just decide to do something about 11 weeks before”. People train a whole year for something, and I’m like “Yeah, but I’d get bored”. So when I’ve done the Great North Run in September, I’ll think “OK, what should I do next?” And then I’ll train for something else. But I’m a big believer in doing stuff you enjoy.’
Amen to that – almost every expert we speak to here at WH says the same thing: enjoyment will be the thing that keeps you coming back.
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Hannah Bradfield is a Senior Health and Fitness Writer for Women’s Health UK. An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Hannah graduated from Loughborough University with a BA in English and Sport Science and an MA in Media and Cultural Analysis. She has been covering sports, health and fitness for the last five years and has created content for outlets including BBC Sport, BBC Sounds, Runner’s World and Stylist. She especially enjoys interviewing those working within the community to improve access to sport, exercise and wellness. Hannah is a 2024 John Schofield Trust Fellow and was also named a 2022 Rising Star in Journalism by The Printing Charity. A keen runner, Hannah was firmly a sprinter growing up (also dabbling in long jump) but has since transitioned to longer-distance running. While 10K is her favoured race distance, she loves running or volunteering at parkrun every Saturday, followed, of course, by pastries. She’s always looking for fun new runs and races to do and brunch spots to try.