Absolute Possibilities: Caz’s Story of Pushing Boundaries To Reach A Personal Goal

Today, we dive into the inspiring story of our very own Caz Hanby, a graphic designer here at Absolute Collagen, who challenged herself to go beyond her comfort zone and accomplish something she never thought possible – completing the Birmingham 10K.

Let's explore how Caz overcame mental and physical battles, benefitted from peer support, and pushed herself to live her absolute possibility.

Challenge Accepted

Caz had dabbled in running during lockdown and had managed to complete a 5k many years ago, but work and life commitments meant that when lockdown was over, she had very little time for exercise.
Then Caz joined us here at AC, and she finally felt she had the flexibility to pursue her fitness goals and dig out her trainers from the bottom of the wardrobe.

Not long after starting with us, Caz heard that her AC colleagues were participating in the Birmingham 10k. Although she enjoyed running and the feel-good factor which she got after every run (long or short), she initially hesitated to get involved.

Determined to challenge herself, Caz bit the bullet and agreed to join our team and run the 10k race.

Straight away, Caz started running at least twice a week, initially starting with shorter runs to build up her confidence. After several months of training, Caz wanted to “step up her game”, so she wrote and committed to a four-week running plan, which gradually built up her endurance and, with each run and milestone achieved, she surprised herself with what she was capable of.

"I’m not a runner, although I managed a 5k many years ago, and I don’t really work out regularly. I wanted to sign up to this challenge to prove to myself that I can do it, and I also wanted to start getting fitter for my wedding at the end of the year.”

The Power of Purpose and Motivation

When taking on any challenge, it’s always good to have a why. Your why can be anything – from wanting to be fitter, lose weight or even just to prove to yourself (and others!) that you can do it.

Whatever your why, it’s important to have one. It gives you purpose and is a great motivation for when things get tough.

Caz's purpose was her upcoming wedding in November. This was the perfect motivation to start her fitness journey and challenge herself. With lots of adventures planned for her honeymoon in Thailand, Caz’s focus wasn’t to lose weight, but to become fitter so she could enjoy each adventure without feeling physically limited.

Alongside her running training plan, Caz also attended weekly pilates sessions which helped her build up core strength. At pilates, Caz also met a supportive trainer who empowered her to be strong from within.

Absolute Collagen supplements also played a huge part in Caz’s training ritual. Packed full of protein and amino acids, Absolute Collagen supports the maintenance of muscle growth and can also contribute to the growth in muscle mass. The perfect supplement for fitness lovers of every level.

Taking AC every morning helped Caz feel ready for training and taking an extra AC after each run helped support the recovery of her aching body and joints.

A Supportive Environment

It wasn’t just the regular runs and Absolute Collagen supplements helping Caz on her journey, the AC team played a crucial role in supporting her throughout training too.

A group chat was created on Slack, our internal instant messaging system, with everyone taking part in the run to raise camaraderie and encourage each other's progress.

Whether someone was a seasoned runner or just starting out, there was no judgement. Everyone shared the same goal and focused on the importance of participation rather than speed or ability.

This supportive environment helped Caz overcome her fears stemming from a previous back injury, as she realised she was getting stronger and capable of more than she thought.

“I’m super proud of myself for sticking to it, and it’s shocked me to see what my body is capable of even though I’m not necessarily the fittest individual. The AC team has been super supportive throughout training and they’ve had faith that I can do it even when I’m having doubts myself…”

Overcoming Challenges and Growth

Caz's journey towards her absolute possibility wasn't without its challenges.

Past experiences with injuries had made Caz wary of exercise, but she was determined not to let fear hold her back. Even in torrential rain and -2°C weather, she stuck with her training plan.

Her commitment to improving her fitness and the support she received from the AC team propelled her forward and allowed her to overcome obstacles and her fears.

Taking AC every day and completing her training plan gave Caz a newfound attachment to a healthier lifestyle, which brought her joy and a renewed sense of purpose.

Caz was ready to take on the challenge.

The Day of the Race

On the day of the 10K race, Caz felt a mix of excitement and empowerment.

“As I walked into the AC offices, many of the team were saying they felt nervous. But I felt the opposite, I felt excited!”

Walking to the office amidst the sea of runners, Caz also felt a sense of belonging and unity. The race wasn't about the pressure to perform perfectly; it was about the personal goal she had set for herself and the journey she had embarked upon.

Caz proudly completed the 10k and said the feeling of collecting her medal at the end was indescribable. She felt so proud of herself, and the whole of the AC family are proud of her too.

Caz's experience taught her the importance of having a goal and pushing herself beyond her limits. This challenge has been the start for her continued commitment to fitness, and she has continued running and going to the gym even after the event.

“Even though the race is over, I’ve continued running and going to the gym. I wasn’t just doing this for the event, I was, and still am, doing it for me.”

What’s Your Challenge?