Home Past Member Spotlights Member Spotlight: Nick Mason

Club Awards

In 2005 Quakers Running Club was 'Highly Commended' by Cancer Research UK for its continued support of Darlington's Race for Life. Click here to view the award.

 

 Enter the Darlington Race for Life

The club is also recognised by the Flora London Marathon for its dedication and support given to beginners and has been designated a Flora London Marathon Running Club Partner, the only club in County Durham to receive this accolade.

London Marathon Partner Club Site

 

About the Club

The club's main training base is at Queen Elizabeth 6th Form College Playing Fields, Abbey Road, Darlington, DL3 8LR. We train on a Tuesday and Thursday evenings (meeting at the school at 6:30pm). Formed in May 1995 with a membership of just six. The club was formed to promote the participation of all disciplines of athletics and has quickly established itself as one of the regions more active promoters of running events.

At present the club boasts a coaching staff of twenty qualified coaches specialising in a wide range of disciplines from sprints to ultra distance running, including field events, as well as more diverse disciplines such as fell running, strength & conditioning and orienteering. We cater for all types of runners and boast a varied membership, accomodating for all ability ranges. No one is ever left behind! We consider ourselves to be the most friendly and active running club in the area.

If you are interested in joining, you might find our membership introduction pack useful. Click here to download the file as a PDF.


Member Spotlight: Nick Mason PDF Print E-mail
Written by Michael Joyeux   
Wednesday, 14 December 2011 21:18

This spotlight is on the fastest Quaker Marathoner in 2011, Nick Mason!

How did you get into running and why?

My son dragged me down 5 years ago when graham ran the junior section, he lasted 12 months and I’m still here!

What kept you going when you first started running?

It was the only thing I found I could do regularly that was good for me and didn’t get me into trouble

Tell us about some of the races that you've done in the past?

The first race I ever did was the Redcar half, nothing like dipping ya feet in! trained occasionally and didn’t even bother running for 2weeks leading up to the race, I couldn’t walk straight for days after and needed a can opener to get me out the car when I got home

How much training do you typically do?

I train everyday without fail

Be honest, do you enjoy training?

Love it; it’s the best bit- 800m @ 5k pace is a doddle 5k @ 5k pace hurts!

What's your current running aim for 2012?

1.25 half and sub 3 hr marathon

What is your favourite race/distance/terrain?

Flat fast ½ marathon

Which race would you have to be forced to do at gunpoint?

Never really look at races that way sometimes just pleased to get round

What are you most proud of in running?

I’ve got a pair of 4 year old fell shoes, there still clean! Say no more

What is your proudest running achievement?
Not really sure I’ve achieved anything yet

What's your idea of running heaven?
What's your idea of running hell?

Heaven is training hell is a 5k race

Any advice to newcomers?

Don’t drag your 5 year old trainers out the cupboard; the best investment you’ll make is a proper pair of running shoes

What keeps you going when the going gets tough in a hard race?
If you pace yourself properly it shouldn’t hurt till the last mile, then you can just hang on

What keeps you going when the going gets tough in a hard race?

No shortcuts available, train hard taper properly and race

What is the best part of the club in your opinion?

Running itself helps me relax and keeps me sane, I was diagnosed with depression a few years ago and it’s been the best medicine I’ve ever taken, I live in fear of injury

What is your favourite training session?

It’s the interval sessions for me; I just wouldn’t work that hard on my own

If you were given six months of professional training, nutrition and perfect health - how fast could you run 10k?

I’d like to think I could get down to 35mins but it’s just pie in the sky, should have started younger

Apple, Water, Banana or Mars bar in your ideal goodie bag?

Strawberry flavored milkshake
 

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