Welcome to another QRC Member Spotlight… Sorry it’s been a while but i think you will appreciate it, this one is a fantastic read!!
This spotlight is one of our newer LiRF’s and our very own Gary Read Human Sunshine Award winner……. Cazza!
- How did you get into running and why?
Everyone starts running for different reasons don’t they. My reason was, well, just because I could.
I’d felt virtually disabled for 5 years with a persistent condition that affected my ability to move. Some days I struggled to walk because the pain was so intense.
After a number of operations the issue was finally resolved and I was fit again – hmm maybe fit isn’t the right word, able is a better word.
My friend Nicky had started running and I thought, well if she can… so can I. So off we went for a bimble and somehow I managed to keep up. But by the end of our run my knee was in agony and I could barely breath.
Couch to 5k was my next step, then Quakers Running Club!
- What kept you going when you first started running?
Again, the fact that for years I struggled to walk without pain and now I could run!! It was like a breath of fresh air.
And of course, I met so many amazing people at QRC who talked about running and races they had done, they have all inspired me.
Nicky and I decided we needed a running aim so we entered the Great North Run. This was well before a ballot but still blooming expensive. I trained Tuesday and Thursday nights doing the 10mm steady with Ian Young and ran longer runs with QRC, led by Ian, monthly at weekends.
- How much training do you typically do each week?
That depends if I’m training for something and what season it is! I’m very much a fair weather runner.
My ideal would be 3 or 4 times a week including a longer run at the weekend. Love a long run – its easier than flogging yourself on a fast 5k and you burn more calories for wine and crisps!
The most days I’ve trained for a race is 5 and I wonder how I fit that in to life, but it was summer and the nights are lighter and you have more energy in general. It also paid off!
- Be honest, do you enjoy training?
On the whole, yes. I’d say I prefer running with friends than on my own but I do enjoy a good audio book which helps pass the time.
What I don’t enjoy is being cold. I get really cold hands that don’t work if they’re too cold. I’d rather sweat buckets than freeze.
A good off road route would be my preference too but that is also weather and light dependent.
- Do you do any other sports or fitness activities?
I’m rather lazy when it comes to anything else. I don’t go to the gym or swim.
I enjoy Pilates when I do it and know I need to do it more for my core and stability.
I walk my dogs most weekdays and would be happy to walk for hours if time allowed.
- Do you manage to fit in any other hobbies?
I love a good pub quiz. We go every Thursday to our local and partake in a little quizzing. My personal specialised subject is the object on the picture round. I’m not very good at anything else but you have to be in it to win it. Thankfully I’m surrounded with people who have a variety of knowledge so we tend to do quite well.
As I’ve already mentioned I like a good book. I tend to listen more than read as I listen while driving to work and running when I’m on my own. Murder mysteries and thrillers would be my preferred genre but if someone recommends something different I’ll give it a go.
- Tell us about some of the races that you’ve done in the past
I think my first race was a 10k at Tees Barrage. I ran with my lovely friend Lisa Johnstone. She said ‘good morning’ to everyone we met as I was blowing out of my backside! I didn’t know how she found the energy!
Then of course there was the Great North Run. As much as people have opinions about that race I thoroughly enjoyed it (back this year for my second GNR). The support was like nothing I’d ever experienced. My aim was to run all the way and I did. My knee was in shreds by the end of it but hey-ho.
I guess my first marathon is one I should mention. My pal Rachel and I decided we would enter one. It would be her 5th marathon and my first. The race route was the most boring I’ve ever done and it was my choice, sorry Rachel, we should have entered Chester not Blackpool doh!
- What’s your current running goal?
Currently I want to maintain some distance in my legs and try to run 20 miles a week. I have a 50k walk coming up in June so I’m hoping that running longer distances will help with that.
I set myself a goal of running a half marathon every month. So far so good. I’ve entered some races to keep my focus and other months I’ll take to the streets or trails. I was very glad to see the Darlington Half Marathon in December this year. I’ve already signed up!
- What are your longer term running goals?
Last year I ran my first ultra marathon, Pilgrims Ultra. On the way up to Northumberland I said to Steven, my partner, ‘remind me never to sign up to another ultra, the training has taken over my life. I’ve skipped work and focused on running and it can’t happen again’.
So, obvs, I can’t wait to do another one! It was so chilled and relaxed, no pressure, nice chats with other runners, my family and friends popping up here and there along the route. What more can you ask for?
- What is your favourite race/distance/terrain?
Road running was always a favourite but now I’m happy with road or trails. On a sunny day I’d rather be on the trails, as long as I’m not sliding all over the place and falling over. I like to plot a route and follow it. I’m useless at map reading so thank Crunchie for Footpaths haha.
Right now my preference is for longer runs, anything over 10 miles. Once you’re out you might as well stay out eh?
- What are your proudest running achievements?
Crikey!! that has to be last year’s Ultra. Never ever did I think I’d be able to run 50k but when you spend time with people like Emily Beaumont who have achieved so much in terms of ultra running, it rubs off a little and you want to have a go. She is one of my running hero’s. I was there to support her finish a super long race and have rarely seen such determination in a person. She was exhausted and sleep deprived and still finished with a smile on her face. Just WOW.
I also once won the Quakers Handicap ! First and last race I’ll ever win.
- Anything in your running experience you regret?
Erm, not really but I may think of something later.
- How many pairs of trainers/ running shoes do you have and do you have a favourite?
I have three…. One pair I wear for work as you cannot get a more comfortable form of footwear than a trainer when you stand all day.
The second pair I wear for running. Once the cushioning is gone I give them to charity. What’s the point in them sitting in our shoe rack when I won’t wear them again. The third pair is my trail shoes – which I nearly forgot about.
I had a lush pair of pink Brooks trainers. They were my favourites because they were bright! And who doesn’t love to see bright trainers.
- What’s your idea of running heaven?
A lie in! Then a long run on a sunny day with a gentle breeze, on a quiet road surrounded by fields. Take a turn into one of the fields and run off road, maybe follow a river, see some cows (but they’re in a different field with a fence around them). Have my running buddies with me, chattering away talking about running.
- What’s your idea of running hell?
Running laps, at speed, in the dark, on my own, huffing and puffing, freezing cold brr. Yak.
- What is the best piece of running advice you’ve ever been given?
I’ve been given many.
Run your own race.
If you have a race plan, stick to it. Take no notice of what anyone else is doing, just do your thing and reap the rewards. I prefer to start steady and speed up then maintain my pace but so many times have I been dragged along with quicker runners or those who have set off too quick and cannot maintain the pace, resulting in a weak finish and me being cross with myself.
Dress for mile 2. This was more recent advice and it makes perfect sense. I’m always cold so I like to wear layers. However by mile 2 I’m de-robing! I tend to think if the outside temperature is in the single figures I need long sleeves and long legs, if it’s double figures a t-shirt is ok.
Take Imodium ! It works a treat!!
- Any advice to newcomers to running?
Chat to other runners, they have good stories and if you’re struggling on a run find a very chatty person and ask them a question, the time flies by and your mind is taken off the fatigue you are feeling. Before you know it, the run is done haha.
Have a goal. Enter a race or set a time for a mile or a parkrun. Track yourself with Strava or Garmin. I love looking at stats and seeing improvements.
- What keeps you going when the going gets tough in a hard race?
I think of those who would love to run but can’t for whatever reason and they push me on.
I also try to run just behind someone I think I can keep pace with. They’ll never know they are pacing me. If I can’t keep up I find someone else. If I can keep up I thank them at the end of the race, as I have been thanked too for pacing others.
- How do you relax/reward yourself after a race?
A lovely hot bath with a brew and a scroll through Strava seeing what everyone else has been up to after I’ve looked at my stats. Later in the day it’s often wine and crisps 🙂
- If you could run anywhere in the world, where would it be?
As much as I like being out in the sticks I do love a well supported race. GNR was fab so I’d love to do London Marathon one day.
I was also proud as punch to run with my niece and nephew at Morpeth 10K To have my family supporting me was lovely too.
- As one of the club’s newest qualified LiRF, what made you become a LiRF and do you have any advice for someone thinking of becoming a coach?
I’ve been a Quaker for 10 years. I do believe and want to give something back. The club is run on volunteers who do amazing things without whom we wouldn’t have the well organised club that I am proud to be part of. I should have done it years ago.
I also wanted to get back to regular attendance at the club and thought if I volunteered to coach I couldn’t make excuses not to go. Win Win.
If you’re interested in being a coach, speak to one of the coaches to find out more. Remember the more coaches we have the more sessions and steadies can be offered on a weekly basis. I only volunteer for steadies so I can still run, I don’t volunteer for sessions. Kudos to those coaches who sacrifice a run to coach us a lot.
Thank you so much to Caroline for being our latest Member Spotlight.
If anyone would like to take part and let us know how many pairs of running trainers you REALLY own, give me a shout at welfare.male@quakersrunningclub.org.uk
Thanks for reading and if you haven’t heard…… #BeMoreGary!!!!
Bri