MdS Competitor Number
546
Age
42
Occupation
Chartered Physiotherapist specialising in sports injuries
Home Town
Winchester, Hampshire
(born in Newmarket, Suffolk)
Why did you decide to run the MdS?
Decided to run the MdS about 5 years ago, couldn't find anyone mad enough to do it with and didn't realise how difficult it was to get into, so lost a couple of years. Debs came to Winchester and we got chatting on a Sunday run... not only had Debs heard of the race she wanted to run it too - hurrah! Around this time an old College friend (Sarah!) contacted me to find out if I had any training tips for the MdS not realising we were planning to enter the same year. Seemed logical that we joined forces and became a team of 3.
Have you ever done anything like this before?
Never done anything like this before!!
What do your family & friends think?
George and my boys very proud that I am attempting this, the rest of my family are not really sure what it is all about and my friends think I am a little crazy.
What's the furthest you've ever run?
Furthest I have ever run was 35 miles in Iceland in July 08... across snow and ice!
What's your fastest marathon time?
Winning the Florence marathon in November 1999 in a time of 2h38m28s. Altogether have run 22 marathons - one of the most diverse was the Mumbai marathon 3 years ago, actually had to steer round chickens and jump over sleeping dogs on the course!
Biggest disappointment?
Not making the Olympic team for marathon in 2004.
How did you first get into running?
First got into running by the "boys" PE teacher, Mr Grimsby at St Felix Middle School, Newmarket when I was 11. Ran an 800m rather than play netball, ran with the boys, beat them and discovered something I loved. Took up running 800m and cross-country at school. Family moved to Cheshire when I was 14, introduced to my first athletic club, Sale Harriers by my school friend who was a runner. First coach was Ozzie Reeves, who thought I was a "strong runner"!! From there another move to Scotland aged 15 where I joined Glasgow AC, part of strong cross country squad including the likes of Lynne MacDougall. Sadly our coach Ronnie Kane died when I was 17 and the squad fell apart, I moved to Central Region AC which was more local to home, didn't really have an endurance coach and I dropped out of the sport, however, did meet George my husband, one of the clubs up and coming sprinters!! Spent 3 years at in Edinburgh, trained as a physio (and ran a marathon for fun in 1986, one day before my 20th birthday! 3:34..)
In my mid-twenties decided I ought to get fit and by now lived in London so joined North London and started to become more involved in the cross country and road running world, ran a couple of London marathons prior to a move to Spain for 4 years. Joined San Pablo athletic club in Seville where a javelin coach(!), Juan Antonio took me under his wing and coached me towards the Seville marathon... over the moon when I broke 3 hours! Would have died happily knowing I could run 2hr52m until I went to Italy and spent 3 years under the watchful eye of Alberto Bagliani. The marathon time went down to 2:38, a best which stands to this day.
Moved to Winchester in 2001, and coached by Nick Anderson to PBs at 10km (34:38) and the half marathon (1:14:40). Now very involved with Winchester and District Athletic Club as the club's development officer, level 2 coach working with the ever growing junior section and turning out on occasions to make up the team!
What are you most looking forward to?
Apart from the finish(!), experiencing the desert.
What are you most concerned about?
Being hungry!
What will you miss most?
All 3 of my boys... and coffee!!
What one item of luxury will you sneak into your pack?
A camera (the smallest I can find).
What's the first thing you will do afterwards?
Take my shoes off (if they will come off)...
Who inspires you?
Anyone who gives 100% in whatever they do.
