Member of Essington Harriers since 2019
Committee Position: Marketing & Social Media Officer
- Member of Essington Harriers since 2019
- Committee Member: Vice Chairperson & Social Media Manager
I have run since I was at school, I’ve had the usual low mojo moments but I’ve never really got to the point where I ever hated running.
When I lived in South Shropshire on the Welsh boarders I used to do a lot of solo hill running. There was no local running club, it was well before Parkrun was a thing and the internet didn’t exist so exposure to running was watching the London Marathon on TV and very occasionally I would bump into another runner on the hills.
When I moved to Wednesfield I initially contacted a local running club, but was put off by their questions about my speed at different distances. Thinking that was how all running clubs would be I stuck to solo running, then I heard about a new weekly run about to start in Walsall called Parkrun. I went along to see what it was all about and felt a bit of an imposter as nearly everyone else there was dressed like a proper runner and were busy doing stretches and looking like they knew what they were doing! But they were all supportive, encouraging and eventually I joined a group of people who shared my running mindset and I became a SHABBA runner.
Skip forward to 2019 and I was struggling to juggle running and life, when I heard about a new running group about to start called Essington Harriers.
I came along on their first meeting and joined the Essington Harriers on the first day.
From the concept and the ethos laid down from day one, EHRC has evolved and I’m very proud to be a member of this great club. It’s a testament to the members that we are known around the West Midlands as a fun, friendly but still very competitive and successful running club.
What has been your favourite race or racing memory so far?
Running in the Wings For Life World Run races.
I love races that are a bit different, and the Wings For Life races are so unique in their reach, style and concept.
What advice would you give a new runner?
Don’t worry about your speed, don’t worry about stopping to walk and don’t compare yourself to others!
And buy some body glide.
What’s your proudest running achievement?
Edinburgh Marathon – first marathon I ran under my own name and lots of emotions.
Also loved planning and posting the Run Walk Crawl events and later the Lockdown Landmarks running during the Covid years, it was great to keep that feeling of community in the running club even if we could not meet up in person.
What running kit do you use?
My watch to track my runs, I often have music with me (sometimes it’s seasonal)
If I’m on a longer run, I’ll take a hydration vest and snacks (Jelly babies, Haribo and compressed fruit bars)
What one thing should people know about you?
I have a condition that makes it very difficult for me to recognise people (especially if I am not expecting to see you, you have changed your hair style or colour, or are wearing things I don’t normally associate with you) so if I ignore you or don’t know who you are, please don’t think I’m being rude!
What are your pre-race rituals?
Stretching, and usually eat something an hour before.
What are you pre & post race snacks?
Nuts, protein, oats, chocolate, beer, chips…
What future race ambitions do you have?
I’ve stopped chasing PB’s a long time ago, I run for the enjoyment, the challenge and the chance to switch off from the world for an hour or two, so my only ambition is to keep enjoying my runs.
What are your favourite running shoes?
Size 12-13, padded, less than £80. Must dry out quickly after splashing in puddles.
Do you have any other information, facts, stories or details you’d like to share with the other club members?
I spend my work day sat at my desk, and always find the hardest part of running is getting out the door. I’ve been running for about 30 years and still that initial step is the biggest hurdle.
I take full credit for launching Kelly Brook’s career when I took modeling photos of her at a car show before she was famous.
I wake up every morning with a random song playing in my head, have done for as long as I can remember, the song is often something old that I have not heard for many years.
My Races
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