The Runner Chronicles

Welcome to the latest edition of Runner Chronicles! This time, we’re featuring Grace McGovern, a model and runner based in Los Angeles, originally from London.

Grace shared her approach to balancing work, social life, and running. As a model, she’s constantly on the move—literally. In this honest article, she opens up about the struggles all runners face, from marathon veterans to absolute beginners. She talks about certain setbacks and coming back from them with running. It’s all about mindfulness, strength and experiences, something everyone can learn from.

First things first, could you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hey! I’m Grace McGovern—originally from London but now living in LA, following the sunshine. My running journey started 11 years ago, but it wasn’t exactly intentional.

I struggled with back pain from a disc issue when I was younger, and although I’d been active in school sports, I completely fell out of the habit when I got to university. Like many people, I slipped into a routine of partying and little to no exercise, and my body felt the effects. A physio eventually told me I needed to start moving again, so I did—starting with the gym and then, reluctantly, running.

Over time, I built up my stamina and distance, and in 2019, I decided to apply for the London Marathon. I was nervous and still dealing with back pain, but I started working with an incredible coach, Anthony Fletcher. Unlike other physios who told me I shouldn’t run, he helped me create a plan to train with pain. After a few half marathons, plenty of training, and some long runs, I finished my first marathon in 4 hours and 20 minutes. And surprisingly, through all that training, my back pain disappeared.

So that’s why I run - for the thrill, for the mindfulness and for the strength it gives my body!

What is your favorite thing about running?

A few reasons.

Firstly the feeling. Even when I feel like my legs are heavy and my energy is low, and even if I only manage 2k that day, the endorphin rush of just putting two feet to the ground and pushing my body really heals my mind and body.

Secondly the community. Most people know that running communities have snowballed as of late and there is truly nothing better than changing the narrative around how we catch up or socialise with one another. It used to be pubs and now it’s Saturday 10ks around Victoria park! I'm always amazed even when I do park run. In Christmas Day we went to our local park run and 1,500 people showed up of all ages and it was glorious! I know this is still some people’s version of a hell but for me it’s bliss and I’ve gained great friends from it.

Thirdly the ability to do it anywhere. Currently I’m on a job in Germany for work and the ease of picking up my trainers and just whizzing out the door after work today was true luxury. I don’t need to pay to go to a class when I can see a city, exercise, have some time to myself and all on my own two feet!

Tell us more about your Hackney Half experience.

I hadn’t run a half since I did the Brooklyn Half in 2023 and I vowed to myself to sign up for a running challenge every year. So Hackney half was next on my list. I had got a little out of running long distance that winter as I’d been travelling a lot for work and could only squeak out 5k/7ks at best, so I knew signing up for it would keep me accountable. I went into it not running for time or to smash out a PB but more to remind myself I could still do it. I found an intermediate plan online and roughly stuck to it (I’d add the kms up I needed to do in the week and try and do them where I could rather than do the exact plan).

19th May 2024 rolled around and I felt GREAT! I think because I wasn’t stressing over trying to get a PB it meant I had slept amazingly and fuelled properly and managed to get in a PB at 1:47! Better than my marathon training half’s! Running the Hackney Half is a must, the crowd, the energy and luckily the blue skies that shone that day made for the most jolly Sunday I could have asked for!

How do you balance your work as a model, social life and everything else with running?

As I mentioned above the beauty of running is the ability to do it from anywhere! Whenever I’m in a new city and especially if I’m short on time, I always try to prioritise at least one run to really get a glimpse of what the place is really like. Normally I try and go after work, for example where I’m shooting in Hamburg the past two days is 6.6km from my hotel so I get an uber to work in the morning in my gym gear and run on the way back.

Albeit a chilly run this time of year, but also the best way to decompress after work and get a little exercise in before I become a hotel bed hermit. On the days I’m not working I schedule runs with friends to catch up with them and to explore new routes. Especially in LA, nothing quite beats running along the beach on a quiet morning at sunrise!

Favorite nutrition for proper fueling your body?

Okay so this answer really depends on what time of the day I’m running, for how long and at what temperature. Truthfully I am not a breakfast eater and I don’t like to workout or run with a full stomach, so if I’m doing a 5/7k in the morning it tends to be fasted. However I do notice that if I have a heavier meal of carbs the night before it really doesn’t impact the quality of my run, on the flip side I can definitely tell when my meal was on the lighter side and my energy levels were a little low.

On my longer runs I tend to eat porridge, bananas or peanut butter and hour or so before, and nothing that fills me to the brim, too much food also hinders my running and I feel a stitch incoming every step. When marathon or half marathon running I tend to stick to sweets like jelly babies or something that would raise my glucose that aren’t gels. Personally I don’t like gels and my stomach doesn’t seem to like them either, plus nothing beats a sweet while running!

What keeps you going when you’re really unmotivated?

Admittedly I am a fair weather runner. If you look at my Strava my kms are always higher in the summer than the winter, but I listened to a great podcast recently with a runner who also got asked this question and he replied saying the ability to put one foot in front of the other when others can’t.

When running any marathon or half marathon that I have done, I am always truly humbled by the ages and the mixed ability’s of runners. From those with prosthetics to those in their 90s, when I have a mental barrier with running I always remind myself of the people who courageously push themselves with their own struggles and I think if they can do it then so can I. Having the ability to run freely is a privilege and I remind myself that daily.

Any running goals for the upcoming year?

A half in California! I’ve been looking at a few coming up in the next few months and it’s the next city to cross off my list. I’m also looking a little into the world of trail running, which has always scared me a little. California has some amazing trails and even though I’m fearful about the incline, it will be fun to experience some new terrain.

Lastly, what is a must have for every runner on the longer runs?

Hmmm definitely my AirPods. I really only listen to R and B when I run, which I know isn’t great for your stride as you tend to run to a beat but it just keeps me motivated as it’s my favourite music to listen to! I also switch between podcasts too, sometimes when music doesn’t motivate me a podcast takes my mind away from thinking too much and just lets me enjoy the moment and forget everything. Oh and also Apple Pay as I love a good flat white after my runs!