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 24th 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.
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| Virgin London Marathon 2010 |
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| 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 13th
female in 7:11:45.
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| 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 21st place in a time of 8:27:33. We did, however, win team silver in the
European Championship.
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| Great Britain team |
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| 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 10th in one of the
strongest 100km fields ever, and set a new PB of 7:39:50 which ranks me 5th
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 100th
road race, at the Christmas Cracker 20km in Moreton Morrell.
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| With celebratory '100' balloons! |
2016
Another year of hamstring injury, but I did
finish 1st W45 in the BUPA Great Birmingham Run half-marathon.
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| Racing to the finish |
2017
British 100km champion! My first British title came at the age of 45
whilst representing England for the 7th 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 4th 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.
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| Team GB flag bearer |
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| 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 11th 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.
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| Midland Masters 10 mile champion |
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| I didn't have much time to admire the Cotswold views as I helped LC&AC to victory and a new course record! |
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| 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.
