Jo Tilby
Age: 40
How did you first get into running?
I used to be quite a good runner when I was young and represented the school and the County at Cross Country Races. After Florence was born I wanted to try and get fit again. I worked out a 3 mile loop around the roads where we live in Brimfield. My husband Nick and I couldn’t go out at the same time so we used to time each other running around the loop. I managed to get better and started to really love running again. Nick didn’t pick up the bug! It was a while after that Mark Lamonby came to fit some carpets at our house. Mark persuaded me to come along to Croft. I haven’t looked back!
What’s a typical running week for you?
I try to run 3 times a week. Freddie and Florence have football and dance clubs after school so getting to club training can be difficult. I usually run 10k twice in the week and like to do a run of at least 10 miles on the weekend. I mostly run on the roads around Brimfield.
What’s your most memorable run?
In 2019 I was lucky enough to get the club place for the London Marathon. I had run a marathon two years earlier and I had found it really hard because I hadn’t trained properly. Claire Thomas and David Blenkharn really helped me in 2019. We used to meet outside Tenbury Pool at 5am on a Sunday morning. We were training in the winter so the sun was only just coming up when we got back to the pool! I managed to run the marathon in 3.48 and loved it. I even stopped to have some photos taken with Chris Evans at mile 9. Maybe, if Chris hadn’t wanted his photo take with me, I could have gone a bit faster. You live and learn. ☺
What’s in the diary?
Shobdon Wood – 15 May Batch Bash Fell Race –
Church Stretton – 18 May
Offas Dyke – 15 June
Magic Roundabout – Glastry – 19 June
What’s a typical running week for you?
I try to run 3 times a week. Freddie and Florence have football and dance clubs after school so getting to club training can be difficult. I usually run 10k twice in the week and like to do a run of at least 10 miles on the weekend. I mostly run on the roads around Brimfield.
What do you most love about running?
I love being a part of Croft. I turn up at a training session or a race and straight away I’m with friends, chatting and having a good time. And I love the feeling you get after a run. No matter how hard it was to get yourself out the door, or how wound up or stressed you might have been; a run always makes you feel good.
What do you do for a living?
I’m a self-employed cleaner. I clean client’s houses for 4 to 5 hours a day during the week. I love it. I’m quite fastidious!
Who do you live with?
Husband Nick, Florence (7) and Freddie (9).
Have you any pets?
Tiley, a Jack Russell (14), Amber the Cat (4) and a Leopard Gecko called Barry. I don’t know how old Barry is.
What’s your favourite Cornetto flavour?
Mint Choc Chip.