BRACKLEY AND DISTRICT RUNNING CLUB - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Club Secretary
- Member of Committee
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Member of Committee
Job Titles:
- UKA - Leader in Running Fitness )
"After taking a year out of ‘real life' in 2002 and going travelling I returned home and realised I needed to lose a bit of weight and get fit. I changed my diet and started running in the summer of 2003 and I've never stopped!
Back then I didn't know anyone else that ran, had no idea about how to train or that training programs even existed. I made it all up as I went along. Without the invention of a gps watch I used to drive my routes afterwards to see how far I'd run. Seems crazy now! Eventually I started running with a friend (Karen Heslop) and we became hooked.
I'd always wanted to run the London marathon and I got my first ballot place for the 2008 one but had to defer it till 2009 as I'd just found out I was pregnant with my second daughter.
Job Titles:
- Member of Committee
- Social Secretary
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Head
- Head Coach UKA - Coaches in Running Fitness
- Member of Committee
"My fitness journey began when I was taking my GCSE's. I remember studying over summer and snacking a lot. Inevitably the pounds piled on so I started some cycling out to Croughton and back. The first run I did was a 10k for the Joshua Foundation charity in 2006 where I supported a couple of friends. We did a lot of walking and a little bit of running.
I didn't go back to running until many years later when I was geared up for a cycle ride and only got half way up my road before I was reminded that my bike was not roadworthy from the year before due to a mangled cassette and lots of wear and tear. I needed to burn off some energy that day so I went for a run instead. As I was a bit strapped for cash at the time running became my ‘go-to' exercise. Always one to take an all-or-nothing approach and not knowing about building up the distance I often came home with a limp. However, I quickly got into it and signed up to do the Blenheim 10k in 2012. I achieved a time of 52:06 at the event and it took me about 3 years to beat the time.
I joined the running club in 2014 after bumping into BDRC at the lake whilst I was jogging with one of our dogs. Since joining the club I've made many new friends and lost 2 stone. 2016 was a fantastic year for me churning out a total of 48 personal bests and I completed my first marathon in 04:35. A self confessed lover of running I also get great pleasure out of seeing others achieving their goals and seeing how much it means to them."
Job Titles:
- General Committee Member
- Member of Committee
Job Titles:
- Webmaster
- Member of Committee
- UKA - Leader in Running Fitness )
"At school I was always last in anything that involved running, in fact, I didn't really do any sport other than swimming, as I was told I was far too un-coordinated! My Uni & early workdays involved no sport at all, apart from dancing, then along came the kiddies and even the dancing stopped. Roll on a few years and the sudden realisation that I was turning 40, was very unfit and not losing the ‘baby' weight, I decided to enter the Great North Run for The Alzheimer's Society. I started running………very slowly. At first, I struggled to run 500m, but gradually built up the miles. I managed the race in just over 2 hours…..and I enjoyed it. So much so, that I applied again the following year (2012) with my husband YT.
At the beginning of 2013 I finally plucked up courage to join BDRC and haven't looked back. I have made new friends, completed 4 marathons and numerous other races.
I love the club, the enthusiasm of all the members and the fantastic team events & weekends away such as The Hilly 100 and the road trips 'Up North' for the Ladybower 20. I enjoy leading sessions……however, please bear with me, as I am still as un-coordinated, in-flexible & un-bendy as I was back in my school days! " "
Job Titles:
- UKA - Leader in Running Fitness )
"I avoided any kind of sport at school and then in my early twenties I started to enjoy swimming and aerobics classes. When our daughter Jess, was about 6 months old my lovely husband bought me a running machine that I didn't know I wanted! However it fitted in perfectly with my lifestyle at the time, I then ventured out on the roads and entered a few ‘race for life' events. I decided to join a running club and although it took me a few weeks to summon up the courage, I attended a session at Brackley. Ten years on I'm still enjoying my weekly jaunts out with this fantastic group of enthusiasts. I have even persuaded husband Michael to join too, it only took 9 years of nagging!
Job Titles:
- Member of Committee
- Race Secretary
Job Titles:
- Officer
- Member of Committee
Job Titles:
- Membership Secretary
- Member of Committee
- UKA - Leader in Running Fitness )
"At school I enjoyed gymnastics and running particularly the 1500m and cross country, I was never a sprinter, just plodded away and never gave up. Outside of school I was lucky enough to have my own pony and later horses. The gymnastics and running came in very handy with the horse riding as they were inclined to help me find new and elaborate ways of dismounting, normally at speed. Being flexible from the gymnastics allowed me to hit the floor / fence post / tree what ever was in my path in a safe manner saving me from injury, I would ping back to my feet and then run after the pony /horse.
I continued horse riding into my early 30's when I had to retire my horse due to navicular. Having 4 boys to keep alive and running a business from home meant I no longer had time for a horse. Adding to the fact that hitting the floor from novel dismounts was hurting, I no longer bounced back like I use to, I would hit the floor and stay there. I decided to keep the running bit and started running with my dogs.
In my late 30's a 6-month illness saw the running go pear shape along with my body and any fitness I has disappeared into oblivion. A couple of months after I turned 40, I saw an advert for a local beginners running group and joined. This was just the start. In January 2015 I did my 1st 5k dirt race, followed in June with the 10k Chicken Run. In November 2015 a friend told me about the running club's Gentle Pace Group. I nervously went along and have never looked back. In 2017 I completed the Edinburgh Marathon.
I will never be the fastest but love new challenges and the support you get from the club in completing them. I'm a big fan of the team event which are great socials, the Hilly 100, Colworth Marathon Challenge, cross country races and any 24 hour relay races I've taken part in.
I love being part of such a friendly and enthusiastic club. I look forward to supporting others in achieving their running goals and enjoying their running. "