We're honoured to welcome England marathon runner and newest member of Team SunGod, Anya Culling, as our latest Guest Author on SunGod Explore. Anya's running journey had humble beginnings as like many of us, she caught the running bug during the pandemic. However, her journey from everyday runner to elite international has been anything but ordinary.
Anya is living proof that we all start somewhere. Read on to discover Anya's incredible journey to the top of the sport, and discover that, in Anya's words, "you don’t have to be fast to get started - just start wherever you are".
"I often get asked ‘why I run’. And I think it comes down to my pursuit of fearlessness. In life you have to overcome so many hurdles, and I'm in a constant battle with my brain telling me that I can’t do things. Running has taught me to find my inner strength, and time and time again running proves I am more capable than I ever thought. So why would I limit myself in everyday life? I am living a DREAM that I worked hard for.
A dream I could have never imagined in 2019 when I started running.
Before lockdown, my previous marathon time was a very everyday-runner time of 4h 34m. Just 3 years later, I set my PB of 2h 34m whilst representing England. And this year, I ran the 2024 London Marathon in the elite field, which was the ‘strongest elite women's field in its history’.
"Like many, I caught the running bug during Covid restrictions - pounding the pavements for the luxury of that one hour of exercise we were permitted. "
It wasn't until lockdown that I realised the peacefulness of running, and the simplicity of it. I fell so in love with the sport that I've just kept going. Like many, I caught the running bug during Covid restrictions - pounding the pavements for the luxury of that one hour of exercise we were permitted. I actually downloaded Strava the day we went into lockdown, so I was able to track my runs, but I was never really aware of the progress I was making. Times and PBs were secondary to the love for the sport; it quietened all of my self-doubts and my limiting self-beliefs, and proved that I could achieve things that I thought were impossible.
I loved the feeling of working hard and proving myself wrong; after every run I would feel an immense sense of pride. I think I progressed so quickly because being the fastest was never my intention. I never forced myself to train and it has never felt like a chore.
"My goal has always been to fit running into my life, rather than live my life around running."
My progression, although pretty quick, has all been down to consistency over time and putting the work in, and my goal has always been to fit running into my life, rather than live my life around running. That means getting faster has always been secondary.
This is why I am so grateful to be part of the SunGod Team. They create the best-performing products, but the most important thing for them is how their products make you feel whilst wearing them. SunGod invest in the athlete, the planet, and the adventure. Wearing a product that is athlete-tested, Certified B Corp and that looks as good as they do, it means there is nothing to worry about, allowing me to focus on achieving my potential.
My proudest moment so far is racing in an England vest, representing my country at the Copenhagen Marathon 2023. It really felt like a big milestone on the way to reaching my running potential and pushing my limits even more.
A lot went into training for this race, as I felt a lot of pressure with it being my first time representing England. I was the most consistent and determined I have ever been in a marathon block and was at my peak fitness. The race was hot and hard and it took everything I had, both physically and mentally, to remain strong in the final 10km of the race. I maintained the pace and finished in 8th place, which I was so proud of. The training is always worth it when you execute the race like you wanted to.
"I absolutely love the London running community and [the London Marathon] encapsulates it all. The community spirit, contagious energy, vibrant diversity, and immense pride."
Running has taken me all over the world, but my favourite place to train will always be Battersea Park. It’s where my running really started and where I still run today. I think I have 15 local legend segments on Strava within the park! Like a lot of runners I like routine, so I don’t get bored of laps of the same park; in fact, I have the most fun when I can just run and not focus as much on the route. The routine helps me stay consistent and the familiarity means I can relax and focus on just the run. Even though the route is often the same, I keep variety in my training. An easy run I use for mindlessness, to lose myself and all of my thoughts. For a hard run I have to keep my mind engaged and be focused on paces and splits.
My favourite race I've ever done is The London Marathon. I have completed it 3 times now, and all 3 times have been such huge moments in my running career. I absolutely love the London running community and this race encapsulates it all. The community spirit, contagious energy, vibrant diversity, and immense pride.
2019: Ran the London Marathon (first ever marathon!) with a time of 4hrs 34 minutes… the 7546th woman to cross the finish line.
2022: Ran the London Marathon with a time of 2hrs 36 minutes. Qualified to represent England. 3rd in the British Championship race.
2024: Ran the London Marathon in the Elite category… the 16th woman to cross the finish line.
Running has given me so much confidence in every part of my life. I have and always will struggle with huge imposter syndrome and feeling like I am not good enough. It’s moments after a run when I reflect and think ‘I did that’. I keep pushing forward to do it for myself and to make myself proud.
"I don’t know where this sport will take me, but I'm motivated and inspired every day. Not because of the results, but because of how the process makes me feel."
It’s important to reflect on your progress, and truthfully I never EVER thought I’d be here 5 years ago. I'm still going through the same emotional ups and downs in training and have found that although I used to take longer to finish a race, each mile ticked off is just as important. Whether you're running a 5 hour marathon or a 2 hour marathon, you are trying your hardest and pushing yourself to your limits - it doesn’t matter what speed you run. You don’t have to be fast to get started - just start wherever you are.
I don’t know where this sport will take me, but I'm motivated and inspired every day. Not because of the results, but because of how the process makes me feel. I have worked SO hard and loved every minute of this journey, and as long as it makes me this happy, I'll keep running."
If like us, you're feeling inspired by Anya's running journey, make sure to drop her a follow her at @a.culling on Instagram.
And if you're raring to step up your own running, check out our Running Sunglasses to get kitted out - whether you're an elite like Anya, or just taking your first strides in the world of running.
