I always take cross-country for my county and did an 800m school race at Birmingham’s Alexandra Stadium, which felt amazing. I had a natural ability to run and liked it, but my passion was football, which I did from when I was about eight. I had so much energy my family encouraged me to do dance and all sports, meaning I was a PE teacher’s dream pupil.

How to use the Norwegian 4x4 workout playing for Birmingham City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Chicago and England, I knew four years ago that my body couldn’t cope much longer. I was 31, and when I got up in the morning I’d struggle to walk to the toilet with a bad back, knees and ankles. I knew I had to stop being a professional sportsperson.

People told me to find some new interests once I retired, so that’s how I got into running. It took me back to being a kid when I would run because I wanted to, rather than because I had to as a footballer. It was hard at first shifting down from thinking I had to train most days to realising I now just work out to keep fit, maintain good mental health and because it’s fun.

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In 2019, I signed up for my first race but didn’t have a clue about how to train properly. As a footballer, you do lots of short runs in matches, but now I had to get used to doing loads of consecutive miles. But it worked, and I was pleased with my 1:35 time for the River Thames Half Marathon.

Broadcaster Karen Carney on getting into running, my mum said I had to do a full marathon. She said to do it for someone else and make it personal. That’s why I supported the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, which is helping former footballer Stephen Darby [who is married to Karen’s former teammate Steph Houghton] and others diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Runners World, Part of the Hearst UK Wellbeing Network I signed up for the virtual London Marathon in 2020. A friend’s husband coached me, and we had the route planned out with my supporters along the way. I’d told family and friends to meet me in the pub afterwards for Sunday lunch, so that was my goal to get it done. I ran 3:26, which was much quicker than planned. I also realised that even a couple of drinks after running a marathon gets you drunk very quickly!

At weekends if I’m commentating on a match or in the studio later, I will get up, run and then have brunch. As I’ve been vegan for five years, my favourite is vegan sausages with beans on toast. It’s just what I need after a run to set myself up for the day.

The pandemic meant my gear on holiday and love going for a run in the heat to explore. I especially love running when I go to a Greek island; heading along the shore under blue skies with my music on, I can forget about work and relax.

exercises to help you live four years longer is Denise Lewis, who’s from my part of the Midlands. I also had my photo taken with Mo Farah in 2012 when I was part of the GB Olympic squad, which was five years after I had first seen him. At that time, we were at a pre-China World Cup training camp in Macau and Mo was also preparing there. I remember seeing this amazing athlete doing lap after lap in the blistering heat, which was just incredible.

Karen supports the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation which raises awareness and funds research into motor neurone disease. For more details visit darbyrimmermnd.co.uk