Age 56
How did you first get into running?
I enjoyed cross country at school but I used to end up running with my best mate. He didn’t like running at all and wasn’t very quick so I would end up finishing last with him.
I remember watching the London Marathon in about 2000. It looked amazing and I knew that I wanted to do it one day.
I gave up smoking at the age of 36 with encouragement from my wife and daughters and started to run a bit. The first time I went out I think I managed a half mile then walked, then ran a bit and walked. Eventually I started to get fitter and was able to run further.
My brother has a mental disability so Iran London in 2010 to raise money for Mencap. Once I realised I was in I thought I best get training so I downloaded a training plan. I just wanted to finish it. I trained for it on my own. To be honest the hardest part was raising the money.
The following year, in 2011, I helped my eldest daughter Danielle train for The London Marathon. She ran for Mencap as well – watching her running it was one of my proudest moments.
I joined Croft in 2011, the year after I’d done The London Marathon. Mike Blenkinsop had seen me running through Shobdon and mentioned it to me. Eventually I went along to a Tuesday training session with Sam Mayglothing.
I liked the social side and it opened my eyes to how many different types of runs there were to do. Now, when I’m in the car and see a hill I think – ‘I’d like to run up there’. If I’m away I’ll often see if there’s a run close by that I can do. I came to running late but it’s never left me, I still love it.
What’s a typical running week for you?
I’ll do a long run on a Sunday. Today I did the Kington 8 Peaks which is about 13 miles. Monday is a recovery day then I’ll usually run between 8 and 9 miles on a Wednesday and rest on Thursday. Friday I’ve started back doing circuits at Leominster. Saturday will be a rest day – although not a complete rest as I’m renovating our house at the moment.
What’s in the diary?
Forest of Dean Half Marathon – 2nd April
Pembrokeshire Ultra (33 miles) – 22 April
Edinburgh Marathon – 28th May. I ran Edinburgh last year but got cramp badly. I hope to do much better this year. It feels like unfinished business.
Most Memorable Run
I think they’re all memorable but that first London Marathon was special. I’ll never forget it – the atmosphere is amazing all the way round.
Also Edinburgh, but for the wrong reasons. I cramped badly at 16 miles. I finished but ended up laying on my back with two strangers massaging my calves until my wife arrived to take over.
Any injuries you’ve struggled with?
Three years ago I suffered with sciatica. I went to see. Helen Gibbons – she really helped. Since then I’ve been fine – I just get the normal aches and pain really.
What do you most love about running?
It gives you time to think. We live in Kington now and Hergest is on my doorstep. Any excuse and I’m running up there. We’re really lucky living where we do. Sometimes you need to stop and have a look around and appreciate where you are. I’ll often go to old Radnor and run there, sometimes I don’t see a sole.
What do you do for a living?
I’m a builder, a carpenter by trade. I work for myself which I love. There’s a sense of freedom being self employed although sometimes it can be difficult to get as much free time as I would like when there are lots of jobs and deadlines.
Who do you live with?
With my wife Helen in Kington. Willow, my stepdaughters lives in Hereford. Danielle is married and they have a little boy, Gus. My other daughter, Holly, lives in London.
Have you any pets?
We’ve got two dogs – Sydney, a Pomeranian (who doesn’t like walking!) and Pebbles who’s a Chihuahia – Jack Russell Cross.
Have you any good book, TV or Films you’d like to recommend?
I loved Born to Run by Christian Mcdougal and Vassos Alexander’s books on running are great. Two of my favourite films are Run Fatboy Run staring Simon Pegg and The World’s Fastest Indian starring Anthony Hopkins. It’s about a New Zealander rebuilding a 1920 Indian motorbike to try and break the land speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967. It’s a real feel good film.