Age: 46
How did you first get into running?
I actually came along to Croft about 14 years ago. It was a club training night over at Bircher. I was the slowest there and found it so hard, I really struggled. Everyone was really nice but I only went to 2 sessions. That was before I had my two girls. I sometimes think what my running would be like now if I had kept going. I think I would be a lot better.
I didn’t get back into running until I met Kelly and Gem at Wigmore baby Group. Kelly had done a couple of Mud Runs and encouraged me and Gem to give Eastnor Castle Mud Run a go. We did some training together and then went for it. It was great fun but so hard.
Kelly encouraged us and we started running on the roads around Wigmore. It sort of escalated and I ended up joining Croft in summer 2017.
Once I had joined the club I was training twice a week and started to feel confident enough to enter longer races. My first 10k was the St Michael’s Hospice race in Hereford. I ran it with Gem. We finished it 1hr 7 mins. I was happy that as a first 10k.
I was doing the summer and winter cross country races and took the plunge and entered the Cardiff Half Marathon. I loved every minute of that run. Me and Gem had trained up to 11 miles. We ran over the finish line in Cardiff together. It was the best feeling.
I did a few more half marathons including Liverpool and The Great North – then me and Gem took the leap into our first marathon. Honestly, I never, ever thought I would do a Marathon! It was just something other people did. The training was really hard but we ran it all together and finished in 4 hrs 40 minutes. We were chuffed as we had a goal of 5hrs.
Recently I’ve changed jobs and lost my running mojo a bit because I can’t get to both club sessions. I really need to run with other people. I’ve got some new goals for next year though and should be able to get back to Tuesdays and Thursdays. There’s always some new challenge you can try.
What’s a typical running week for you?
At the moment I’ll get along to training on a Thursday. On Monday I’ll do a treadmill run at home then a longer run on the weekend with Gem or do whatever race I’ve entered. From January I’m hoping to be back to doing both Tuesday and Thursday training sessions.
I’m going to start upping my mileage in the New Year because I want to do another marathon in the spring. Hopefully it will be either London or Manchester
What’s in the diary?
- Winter Cross Country League
- Hereford Christmas 10k – 28 December
- Hereford 10 Mile – 19th February
- London Landmarks Half Marathon – 3rd April
- London Marathon – 23rd April (if I’m lucky and get the club place) – or Manchester – 16th April.
I want to see if I can improve on my marathon time. Gemma and Kelly are both training for London so, as long as I have a spring Marathon booked I can train with Gem.
I would love to give a Trail Half Marathon a go next year as well.
What’s your Most Memorable Run?
I think it’s the Cardiff Half Marathon that I ran with Gem. I had an amazing sense of achievement. I honestly never thought I could run that sort of distance. The atmosphere was amazing.
Any injuries you’ve struggled with?
Nothing to speak of. I’ve always had some issues with my glutes and hamstrings and recently my lower back. I think it’s all about getting my core strength and flexibility sorted.
What do you most love about running?
Mostly it’s the social element. I wouldn’t have done any of the races without the support. I would never be able to do it on my own. I need others to drag me out!
Being part of the club and the team is really great.
What do you do for a living?
I’m a care navigator with an NHS general practice in Leominster. I triage and get people to the right clinician or service. From January I’ll be working Monday to Wednesday from 8am until 4pm (so I can get to training!).
Who do you live with?
With husband Chris and daughters Grace (12) and Isla (10). They’ve both got birthdays next week!
Do you have you any pets?
Chance – he’s a rescue Spointer (a Pointer crossed with a Springer Spaniel). He’s 4 and a half.
Have you any book, film or TV recommendations?
I love anything by Peter James the crime thriller author. On television I really enjoy true crime stories. Also I absolutely love Stranger Things. Thankfully Grace does to so we can watch it together.
