The bloggers
The blog on the front of this page brings you a variety of runners with different levels of experience and types of motivation.
When you’re reading a post, click on their name and you’ll be taken to a page of just their posts, so you can see their story in a single thread.
Mike
I’m 44. I’m a member of Bristol & West AC.
I’m reasonably fast for a man of my age, I run when I can, but it often plays second fiddle to other commitments. So, I probably average about 70km per month.
I generally only aim to do 5k and 10k races, hoping to finish in the top 10%.
I’ve been running “regularly” for 18 months. My goal is to be running as fast when I’m 55 as I am now, which I guess means I need to be getting faster for the next 5 years! I’m a skinny asthmatic, and I’m definitely happier and much more cold free since starting to run regularly.
I love running. I can do it wherever I am, I love the feeling of exhilaration and strength, and the justified tiredness at the end of it.
I love the fact, despite being a bit competitive, that when we run we are all equals sharing in the pain and pleasure of fulfilling our potential.
Steve
I started running in 1996 as a way of keeping fit during what I thought was a temporary break from competitive cycling. I never made it back to cycling, and have been running ever since. I’m 31 and tend to run about 30-40 miles per week when things are going well, but fitting it in with work means a few missed days, and a few days with two sessions.
I race about once a month – mostly on the road and between 5k and 10k. I also run occasionally in cross country races and very occasionally on the track. Last year I did my first few duathlons and a triathlon.
I have always enjoyed reading about running, and collecting running books. I’m planning to blog about running books and sites I’ve enjoyed and to digest a few lessons from the stars.
Jan
I started running the day before my 50th birthday, and did two miles at a run/walk. I could hardly move the next day and felt a 100! Now I’ve done 14 marathons and a 35 mile ultra-marathon - none fast, but quicker than walking. I joined Thornbury Running Club, and am still at the back of the pack.
Since hitting 60 I’ve been first in my age-group in a couple of races; I was the only one in the category but hey: I was there. I make the ones at the front look so much better.
Apart from getting fitter I’ve met great people through running and done things I’d never have dreamed of: I’ve taken part in a 24hr relay race in the US, and been covered in mud in Chipping Sodbury. I’ve changed career (I was a school teacher, and now manage Sweatshop Bristol) and raised over £7000 for charities. This year I’m celebrating 10 years of running by raising £6000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care after a young running friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer in December 2008.
I’ll be here as the small-but-loud one from the back - still surprised, after dodging games lessons at school, to find myself even thinking of running, let alone doing it.
Read Jan’s posts | Read Jan’s old blog
Phil
I’m 32 and was into football until recently. After the birth of my son, I realised that team sport and a baby didn’t really go together, so my pre-season training turned into my main sport. This was two years ago and although I classed myself as a fit individual, I struggled to run a mile without stopping, but gradually I improved. I joined Thornbury Running Club and by the end of 2007 and I had the best times in the club for 5k, 10k, 10 miles and 1/2 marathon in 2008.
My first year was plagued by injury and illness. I started training again in early 2009 after recovering from glandular fever, and it felt like I had started running all over again. After a few weeks training I entered my first race, the Bridge Inn 5k, finishing in 17:05 - 9 secs outside my pb, but still it could have been far worse.
I then joined B&W AC and, as they say, the rest is history - or will be written in this blog. The reason for blogging: I put myself down at every corner. I hope by putting finger to keyboard I might get less pessimistic about my own performances and help others improve. I am still very young when comes to running and I don’t think I have yet reached my potential, I hope to take all along with me on this journey.