Melinda Atkinson's Experience of running
Favourite race:
70.3 Mallorca (running bit was at the end!)
Why:
it was a long time coming after a very rocky training period
Preferred distance:
Half marathon (I think?!)
Preferred Surface:
Grass is softer on the joints but road for speed
All your race times:
2011 Watford 10km 51:38
2012 Henley Half 1:45:42
2013 Edinburgh Half 1:43:16
2013 70.3 Mallorca 5:55hr total with a run time of 1:50
What motivated you to start running:
My best friend went to China to ride the Great Wall without me, I got lonely so bought running shoes & booked us both on a triathlon the following summer, told her "we're going to run when you get back"
How many years have you been running:
3
Do you prefer running on your own or in a group:
Both
Why:
With a group for motivational reasons and speed support, on my own for quiet time.
How do you prepare for your race the night before:
Lay still
Do you carbo load before a race:
No
What is your pre run meal:
Used to be an empty pot of nothing, now I tend to go for eggs on toast or a breakfast smoothie
What do you use to fuel yourself during your long runs:
Badly! I'm learning courtesy of my coaches
What is your post run meal:
Protein shake, chocolate of course!
Do you run with music:
Rarely nowadays
If no why:
Had a nasty man jump me from behind since then I've been a nervous runner & more aware of my surroundings, but its made me a determined runner as I won't be beaten.
If you could give any advice to someone just starting out running what would it be:
Baby steps, one foot in front of the other. I started by running and walking then slowly built up to where I am now.
What trainer’s would you recommend:
Asics
Why:
Great support shoe and the colours are fab!
Who do you admire the most in the world of running:
My friends - Allison as she's always a great pacer & we laugh, Kerry McCann as she's always faster than me :)), Sophie as I was once her little non running bird and she put wings on my shoes.....& many others. I love watching fit women do their thing and enjoying their sport.
Brenda McCann
Favourite race: Knysna 21km Forest Marathon
Why? I was fit and strong and it was a beautiful run
Preferred distance: 10 - 21km
Preferred Surface: Road
All your race times: Knysna 1:47:38, Spar Ladies 47:41
What motivated you to start running: I wanted to lose weight and I was working as the secretary at the running club
How many years have you been running: since end of 2010. I have always dabbled in running however it has become a much more serious part of my life since 2010.
Do you prefer running on your own or in a group: I have days however I do prefer to run with my running partner
Why: It’s social, it’s great catch up time and it’s not so lonely and hard as it is on your own.
How do you prepare for your race the night before: I eat a good meal and try and get a good night’s sleep
Do you carbo load before a race: Not really – I protein load
What is your pre run meal: In SA, we don’t really eat before a run but something like droewors or banana would be a good pre-run snack
What do you use to fuel yourself during your long runs: Nothing
What is your post run meal: Nothing in particular
Do you run with music: Sometimes
If you could give any advice to someone just starting out running what would it be: Be patient, take it easy and don’t rush into anything. Just enjoy being outdoors and being able to run
What trainer’s would you recommend: I am currently running in Brookes Ghost trainers and I am very happy with them
Who do you admire the most in the world of running: Anyone who gets out there and runs has my admiration
Fiona Kelly
Favourite race: Still looking!
Why? : I really prefer cross country
Preferred distance: half marathon or 10k
Preferred Surface: cross country
All your race times: slow / dead slow
What motivatedyou to start running: being fat
How many years have you been running: about 5
Do you prefer running on your own or in a group: I like running with my friend Donna and our Dogs, happy to run alone, but it can be a bit boring!
Why: I love being outside and I live in a beautiful area
How do you prepare for your race the night before: Ideally with steak and chips and a large glass of red. I am avoiding sea food pasta after my unpleasant bottom clenching experience at the East London half marathon. Portaloos are not nice!
Do you carbo load before a race: What ?
If so, what is your eating plan:n/a
What do you use to fuel yourself during your long runs: Buy some poncey shot gels or if I’m taking water with me I use zeros. I’m not sure if they do any good.
What is your post run meal: Champagne
Do you run with music: Not anymore
If no why: I have 2 dogs and the little one’s naughty so I have to be aware of my surroundings!
If you could give any advice to someone just starting out running what would it be: Its not complicated, go at your own pace then challenge yourself.
What trainer’s would you recommend: I use Saucony for muddy conditions and ACSIS for road
Who do you admire the most in the world of running: I spread my admiration quite widely in races, it keeps me going.
Donna Winter
Favourite race? Half Marathon in Lisbon, Portugal
Why? It was my 1st
Half Marathon
Preferred distance?
10k but I love the challenge of a
Half Marathon
Preferred Surface? I love running in the countryside with my
dog
All your race times:
3km-16:08 5km-29:35 21km-2:18:30
What motivated you to start running? I entered a mini
Triathlon and had to run 3km and couldn’t even run 3 yards at the time.
How many years have you been running? 5 Years
Do you prefer running on your own or in a group? With my
running partner Fiona & our boys (the dogs)
Why? We help motivate each other and people move out
your way quicker when 3 big boys are running at you!
How do you prepare for your race the night before? Good food
& rest
Do you carbo load before a race? I don’t really eat carbs
anyway, so I don’t carbo load but will have small amount.
If so, what is your eating plan? I try and stick to a diet
called Clean & Lean and I use a lot of their recipes.
What is your pre run meal? A small amount of pasta with a BIG
protein portion
What do you use to fuel yourself during your long runs? We
found these amazing little drinks in Waitrose called Quick energy they don’t
make me feel sick like most gels do.
What is your post run meal? The biggest Steak ever washed
down with copious amounts of Prosecco, Vodka & Tonic or Wine I’m not fussed
really!!
Do you run with music? No only with my Dog & Fiona
If no why? Purely a safety factor
If you could give any advice to someone just starting out
running what would it be? You can do it!
What trainer’s would you recommend? Asics & Brooks for
off road
Why? They are simply the best and I have never had any
problems with either.
Who do you admire the most in the world of running? It’s got
to be Paula with Mo right up there too.
Name: Roland Kemp
Favourite race: Wadi Bih Run (Oman) it's 72k in total, 4 team member relay race. The race is split into stages between 1k and 5k generally depending on gradiant.
Why?: Great to run as part of a team and have added pressure, and travelling in jeep convoy whislt other team members are doing their leg.
Preferred distance: Half marathon
Preferred Surface: Mixed terrain
All your race times:
10km flat is 37.40.
21km 1. Hour 25min
Marathon 3. hours 25min
Most of my racing is in the form of swim, bike, run
What motivated you to start running?: Have always ran, feels very natural.
How many years have you been running?: My mum would tell you that I was running from the moment I was able to stand! My first proper race was aged 11 west sussex school cross country. The gun went and I ran to the front and stayed there.
Do you prefer running on your own or in a group?: Small group or better still one other.
Why?: If you get the running group right then it can feel as if your running on a conveyer belt together. If you can get one good partner much easier to organise.
Do you carbo load before a race?: Not for anything up to say 21km after 21km yes. I will take on more carbs a few days before race day.
If so, what is your eating plan?: Banana before race every time and drink viper, if going longer than 10km a gel 20min before the race starts.
What is your pre run meal?: Not set.
What do you use to fuel yourself during your long runs?: I use Maxiful Viperactive which gives me electrolytes,carbs and amino acid’s Science in sport gel’s.
What is your post run meal?: First I drink Science in sport Rego Total recovery drink, and then what ever is going but always take in protein.
Do you run with music?: I some times use Music when I am on the treadmill.
If no why?: Most of the time. I dont use music when I am running outside because I like to take it all in.
If you could give any advice to someone just starting out running what would it be?:
Find your self a running body, better still a few. One farster than you are… and one that you can keep with all day.
What trainer’s would you recommend?: You have to work this one out for your self.
Why?: I use Asics Gel-Nimbus 12 for long stuff. Then have two pair’s of Addidas for fast flat races. At the moment I have a pair of Addidas for trail running
Who do you admire the most in the world of running?: Recently Mo Farah kicked butt this summer.
Name: Julie Cochran
Favourite Race: Edinburgh Marathon 2009
Why? Because it was where I did my first marathon. All through my training for this race, I never once believed I had the ability to complete it and I was so shocked and elated when I finally crossed that finish line. It was one of the biggest achievements of my life, second only to the births of my children.
Preferred Distance: NONE, I'd rather sit on my backside eating cake and drinking wine!
Preferred Surface: Road
All your race times:
Best 10km - 0:54:13
Best half marathon - 1:57:52
Best marathon - 4:26:02
What motivated you to start running? The Challenge
How many years have you been running? 5years
Do you prefer running on your own or in a group? In a group
Why?: More chance of me running if I know someone is depending on me turning up
How do you prepare for your race the night before? Good carb loaded meal, lots of water and an early night
Do you carb load before a race? :Yes
If so, what is your eating plan? Usually eat more carbs throughout of week leading up to the race.
What is your pre run meal? Bagel, peanut butter and banana
What do you use to fuel yourself during your long runs? mostly gels
What is your post run meal? Usually includes some carbs and some protein (and washed down with a nice Chardonnay if possible!)
Do you run with music? YES
If you could give any advice to someone just starting out running what would it be? Take it easy, increase distance sensibly and always listen to your body.
What trainers would you recommend? Brooks
Why? Have ran my best races in Brooks and usually without blisters or black toe nails. Can't say the same about Asics which I've also tried
Who do you admire the most in the running world? Paula Ratcliffe
Name: Colleen McCann
Favourite race? I don't have one.
Preferred distance: 10 km, 15 km and 21 km. I am definitely not an ultra marathon runner.
Preferred Surface: Road.
Your race times:
10 kms (2011) 50:42;
21,1 kms (2011) 1:55:54;
15 kms (2009) 1:28:10.
Not much of a long-distance runner but I did the London Marathon in 2008 in a time of about 4:47 (cannot remember the seconds)
Two Oceans ultra marathon 56 km in 2009 in 6:25:13.
What motivated you to start running?: I started with walking to help keep fit and also keep the weight off when I stopped smoking.
How many years have you been running?: I've been running since the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon in 2006.
Do you prefer running on your own or in a group?: I started running with two friends but must admit I have done most of my serious training on my own. I do run in a group over the weekend but we all run at our own pace. They are training runs which need to be run at training pace so I never try and keep up with the group ahead.
Why? I have done most of my training on my own due to the fact that the two friends I originally started running with were injured and I needed to keep training so just did it on my own and it became a habit. Also, training on your own, you can go out when you are ready to. You don't have to wait around.
How do you prepare for your race the night before? Eat a balanced meal of vegetables and normally a red meat.
Do you carbo load before a race? I have only ever carbo-loaded when I ran the Two Oceans Ultra in 2009.
If so, what is your eating plan? There was no real eating plan. I just included quite a bit of pasta on the menu in the week leading up to the run.
What is your pre run meal? If I am running a 10 km race I eat maybe a banana. Never been big into eating much before a race.
What do you use to fuel yourself during your long runs? I have only run two long runs – London Marathon and Two Oceans Ultra – and with those I used gels but have to admit they weren't very pleasant. On the Two Oceans Ultra, at certain water stations they provided athletes with baby potatoes, bananas and also chocolate. Wouldn't recommend the chocolate. It leaves you with a slimy mouth but I did find the baby potatoes and salt good.
What is your post run meal? As I live in South Africa, we do our runs early so, normally, my post-run meal would be a hearty breakfast!
Do you run with music? No.
If no why? I live in South Africa where it's not supposed to be safe to be oblivious to what is going on around you. Another factor for me, personally, is that I have a friend who is also my coach, and she feels running with music is not good because then you are running listening to the music instead of listening to your body and how it is feeling.
If you could give any advice to someone just starting out running what would it be: Take it slow and start with a structured training programme so you don't overdo things.
What trainer’s would you recommend? I run in New Balance.
Why? I find they fit my feet well and they are affordable.
Who do you admire the most in the world of running? Can't say there is anyone specific that I admire the most in the world of running, but in his day I found Bruce Fordyce phenomenal.
.jpg)
