Who needs races anyway?

It’s now exactly 12 months since I last raced (well, not counting three parkruns, but they’re not really races are they?!).  Little did I know when I crossed the line to win the European Corporate Games 10k last August that I wouldn’t race again for at least 12 months, and still counting.

First it was another episode of high hamstring tendinopathy, then two carpal tunnel operations (one on each hand, four months apart) then, of course, the small matter of a global pandemic!  But although I miss racing when I’m injured I haven’t really missed it all during the pandemic.  I think this is partly because the situation has been the same for everyone, with races cancelled worldwide, so I don’t feel like I’m missing out.  I’ve just accepted it and not let myself get frustrated or disappointed about it.  After all, as both my dad and my coach, Les, always tell me, there’s no point in getting stressed or unhappy about things that I have no control over. 

For the past 34 years I’ve always said I train to race, which up to now has been true, but since lockdown began I’ve realised that actually I don’t need races to motivate me to get outdoors and run.  Running is part of me; it’s who I am and is as much a part of my life as eating, sleeping or cleaning my teeth!  I run for lots of reasons; the competitive element and wanting to get the best out of myself being just two of many.

Of course, there are the health benefits.  Lots of research has been done into how running can reduce the risk of preventable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, mental health and some cancers – all of which put massive pressure on the NHS.  I feel like I’m playing my own small part in trying to help the NHS by looking after my body.  If only all those people who stood on their doorsteps clapping for our key workers felt the same way!  My body is precious to me – after all, it’s the only one I’ll ever have – and so I want to look after it and keep it healthy as best as I can.  And, of course, the benefit of keeping my weight under control through running means I can enjoy the occasional slice of cake or glass of wine!

Running also helps my mental health and wellbeing too, by boosting my mood and making me feel more positive.  Studies have shown that exercise is one of the most effective natural anti-depressants in alleviating mild to moderate depression and anxiety.  It’s all to do with the endorphins and endocannabinoids released in the brain – apparently!  And exercising in nature adds even greater benefits, hence Vitamin G(reen).  Again, research has shown that being outdoors in a natural environment can reduce stress and depression, improve mood, improve sleep, lower blood pressure and boost your immune system.  I can definitely relate to the ‘feel-good factor’ of being in a ‘green’ space.  I think it’s so important to get nature into our towns and cities so that everyone has a chance to access some ‘green’ and re-connect with plants and animals, trees and water as it really does have a positive effect on health and well-being.

I’ve been brought up with a love of the outdoors and natural world right from birth.  As a baby I was carried around various nature reserves in a baby carrier on my dad’s back!  This love has stayed with me all my life and even influenced my choice of career as a landscape architect.  I know I’m very fortunate to live surrounded by the lovely Warwickshire countryside and I especially appreciated this during lockdown.  Just to be able to lace up my Mizuno shoes and set off around the lanes or across the fields made me feel so much calmer, and more able to cope with the uncertainty of everything going on in the world.  I’ve had great fun exploring new routes and footpaths too.  It’s easy to stick to the usual tried-and-tested routes, but it’s been an adventure to discover new paths across the fields, especially as I haven’t needed to run to a certain pace schedule as I would when training for a big race.  And you can cover so much more ground when you’re running, compared to walking!

During lockdown I used my love of nature to give another purpose to my runs, to raise money for Warwickshire Wildlife Trust as part of the 2.6 Challenge.  This was set up to try and help charities fill their funding gap caused by the cancellation of big events such as the London Marathon (hence the theme based around 2.6 or 26 – the number of miles in a marathon).  My challenge was to spot 26 interesting wildlife things whilst out on my daily runs – not as easy as it sounds when you’re running at around 8 minutes per mile and not carrying binoculars!  But I achieved my target (I actually got to 28 and will keep adding to it if I spot anything else that’s noteworthy).  I saw everything from butterflies to fungi (a rather magnificent ‘Chicken of the Woods’ specimen), birds, plants and even some deer.  Several of the birds I saw or heard are sadly on the ‘red list’ of species needing high conservation priority, e.g. yellowhammer, grey wagtail and skylark.  I also had a slightly scary encounter with an angry buzzard who didn’t like the fact that I was obviously too close to its nest!  It was calling and swooping overhead, so I ran away as fast as I could, trying not to twist my ankle on the uneven ground or get stung by the overgrown nettles!     You can read the updates on my JustGiving page if you’re interested in everything I saw – and it’s still open for donations if you’d like to support Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s vital work!  

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sues-26-challenge

Most of my running is usually done alone so I didn’t find it an issue when we could only exercise alone during lockdown.  Although I must say I’m missing my weekly interval session with my club-mates at Leamington C&AC.  I miss the friendly chat and the support and encouragement everyone gives to each other.  I’ve made so many friends through running, both locally at my club and local races, as well as further afield through competing nationally and internationally.  I might go out running on my own, but I feel part of a much wider community.

I’ve also missed training with my coach, Les, and recovery has been harder not having the benefit of the sports massages that he previously gave me.  I’ve also obviously been unable to see my physio, Mark Buckingham, although I’ve had a couple of sessions with him via Zoom which actually worked surprisingly well.  He was able to diagnose just by asking me what I felt when he got me to do various things.  With the help of diagrams on a shared screen he showed me how to treat any issues myself.  It worked really well and could be a useful way of getting physio advice in the future when away on training camps etc.  

I haven’t felt the need to do any of the virtual races that have sprung up – I’m afraid they just don’t excite me.  To me a race is where everyone stands on the same start line, at the same time, and runs the same course in the same conditions!  Who knows when, or even if, we’ll ever get back to that again!  But at the moment the simple pleasure of running, being outdoors in the fresh air, and the feeling of freedom is enough motivation for me.  For the first time in 34 years I’m not training to compete and am enjoying running without all the pressure of preparing for a specific race.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely looking forward to the day I can race again, and I’ll certainly be raring to go when races eventually return and I feel they’re safe enough.  But for now, with over 1000 miles under my belt so far this year, I’m just happy to enjoy running for its own sake and for all the other benefits it brings.

A round-up of the last decade

24,865 miles (bringing my lifetime total to 65,889); four Great Britain vests; three England vests; World and European medals; a British record, world masters record and a British championship title.  That just about sums up my last decade!  It was an exciting decade filled with new challenges and opportunities: my first venture into the world of ultra-running; the experience of representing my country in World and European championships; travelling to new places and making new friends.  Yes, I’ve had my fair share of low points too; various set-backs including five episodes of high hamstring tendinopathy which have kept me out of action for several months at a time, but these in themselves are challenges to be overcome and serve to make the high points even sweeter.  The achievements haven’t come without a huge amount of hard work, determination, dedication and perseverance, but I’m incredibly proud of everything I’ve managed to accomplish over the last 10 years.

Here are a few of the highlights:

2010

Finished 24^th in the elite women’s race in the Virgin London marathon and narrowly missed out on a place in the Commonwealth Games marathon team.  However, I was instead selected to run for England in the IAU 50km World Trophy Final in Galway, Ireland.  This was the first time I’d run anything further than a marathon and I was both excited and a little apprehensive.  I needn’t have worried as I ended up winning the gold medal and setting a new British record and World Masters record of 3:15:43.  I ended the year ranked number one in the world over 50km.

Virgin London Marathon 2010

Winning the IAU 50km World Trophy Final, Galway

2011

I was invited to run in the world’s most famous road ultra-marathon, the Comrades marathon (87km) in South Africa.  This was the most amazing race I’ve ever done, with an incredible atmosphere from supporters along the route from Durban to Petermaritzburg.  I finished 13^th female in 7:11:45.

Comrades Marathon finish

As a result of this run I was selected to run for Great Britain in my first 100km – the World and European championships in Winschoten, Holland.  I had a lot to learn in terms of pacing and nutrition for this distance and I was disappointed with my 21^st place in a time of 8:27:33.  We did, however, win team silver in the European Championship.

Great Britain team

The people of Winschoten always go to town decorating the streets for the runners

As part of my build up for the 100km I again ran for England in the 50km World Trophy Final, using it as a training run, and winning the silver medal.

2012

Finished first female, in a new course record, at the Cotswold 35m race.  I was subsequently selected for the GB team for the World 100km champs. but unfortunately picked up a calf injury and had to withdraw from the team.

2013

Ran for Great Britain in the European 100km champs. in Belves, France.  Won the bronze medal and lowered my PB to 7:48:12.

Running past a French chateau in the Dordogne Valley

On the podium in a European championship

Won the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Sportswoman of the Year.

2014

The second episode of high hamstring tendinopathy and I only managed 5 races all year!

2015

Ran for Great Britain in the World and European champs. 100km, again in Winschoten, Holland.  Finished 10^th in one of the strongest 100km fields ever, and set a new PB of 7:39:50 which ranks me 5^th on the UK all-time rankings.  Also won silver in the World Masters champs. (W40-45).

100km in Winschoten again

Finished the year by winning my 100^th road race, at the Christmas Cracker 20km in Moreton Morrell.

With celebratory '100' balloons!

2016

Another year of hamstring injury, but I did finish 1^st W45 in the BUPA Great Birmingham Run half-marathon.

Racing to the finish

2017

British 100km champion!  My first British title came at the age of 45 whilst representing England for the 7^th time in my career.  My performance also helped England to win the Anglo-Celtic plate, against Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

British champion!

This led to an invitation to run in the Fuxian Lake 50km in China, where invited athletes from all over the world were accommodated in a luxury 5 star hotel overlooking the lake – a fantastic experience.  The race was hot, humid, hilly and at altitude and I was really pleased to finish 4^th female.

Waiting for the start in China

Won the Coventry and Warwickshire Amateur Sportswoman of the Year.

2018

My third 100km World Champs. for Great Britain, this time in Sveti Martin, Croatia.  I struggled with the heat, hills and a disrupted build-up due to injury, but was proud to battle on and finish the race when many didn’t.  Was also super proud to carry the GB flag in the opening ceremony.

Team GB flag bearer

Taking on fluid in the heat of Croatia

2019

The last year of the decade and finally my 50km British and World Masters records were broken!  It was inevitable they would go at some point and I take heart that it took two top class GB marathon runners to break them – many congratulations to them.  I’m really proud that the records stood for 9 years and that I’m still 11^th on the world all-time 50km rankings (all ages).

Highlights for me this year were winning the Midland Masters 10 mile title; being part of the Leamington C&AC team that won the Cotswold Hilly 100 and took 23 minutes off the course record and winning double gold at the European Corporate Games.  The second half of my year was again ravaged by injury, but I finished with my first ever parkrun at Warwick Racecourse just before Christmas.

Midland Masters 10 mile champion

I didn't have much time to admire the Cotswold views as I helped LC&AC to victory and a new course record!

Double gold - European Corporate Games

I have many people to thank for helping me to achieve all that I have over the last 10 years (and more!):  my brilliant physio Mark Buckingham; podiatrist Steve Avil; sports med. and nutritionist at QE hospital, Birmingham; sports psychologist Stuart Chambers; friends and family for putting up with me spending time training and racing; ‘Team Les’ training group at Leamington C&AC for their support and encouragement and, of course, my amazing coach of 33 years, Les.  His guidance, positive attitude and practical support with things like massage, accompanying me with drinks on long runs, support at races etc. is invaluable and I simply could not have done it without him. 

Finally, a massive thank you to Mizuno for their continued support over the years and supplying me with their fantastic shoes and kit.  Also to The Warwickshire health & fitness club at Leek Wootton for their support and use of their excellent gym facilities, which is an integral part of my training.

Here’s to the next decade and hoping it will be as enjoyable as the last one.