Running Tales

John Eales only started running to lose a bit of weight - but he quickly became addicted.

In less than a year he had jumped from a 5km jog to his first marathon, and after that he just didn't stop.

John told me how he would run "mile after mile" on the way to joining the exclusive 100 marathon club.

We talk about what it's like to run seven marathons in as many days, and how he may have to swap his trainers for cycling shorts in the future.

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Running 860 miles in 17 days probably seems a nigh on impossible task.

At 69 years old? I'm tired just thinking about it!

Michael Williams, however, is a different kind of person. The Jogle - a lung-busting run from John O'Groats to Lands' End - was top of his bucket list this year.

Sadly, his attempt was cut short by the coronavirus outbreak, but he told me he aims to be back having another go next year.

Not that Michael's running CV is lacking in achievements already.

After starting running to raise money in aid of pancreatic cancer following his sister's sad death from the disease, Michael took part in ten consecutive London Marathons and a host of ultra races.

I spoke to him about what makes long distance running so special and what else is on his challenging looking bucket list...

 

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When Claire Hedges was at school, she used to hang around with the back markers at cross-country events - so she could have a sneaky cigarette!

These days Claire is a committed parkrunner and aiming to run her first half-marathon, despite only taking up running seriously last year.

Born profoundly deaf, Claire is now a run leader at All Together Running, a running group set up to include both deaf runners and those with normal hearing.

I spoke to her about the parkrun experience as a deaf runner and how other people learning sign language gives her a huge boost...

 

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Leonie Heard is one of the most inspirational people I know.

I call her 'superwoman' in this podcast, a description she disputes but I'm sticking to.

That's because Leonie not only overcame breast cancer - using the power of running to help her through - but has since formed her own support group to help others do the same.

Breast Friends Northamptonshire has gone from strength to strength, being named the winners of the Community Group/Organisation of the Year at the Northampton Leisure Trust Sports Awards 2019.

The coronavirus and lockdown have created their own challenges, but as with everything else Leonie has turned this into more opportunities.

I talked to Leonie about everything from Zoom meetings to turning up late at parkrun and having to 'run bald' for the first time.

 

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If you've never taken part in a Big Bear event, it's a pretty amazing experience.

On a very basic level, they consist of running as many - or as few - loops of a variety of picturesque forest-based courses as you can/fancy in (generally) six hours.

These very relaxed races attract everyone from gentle joggers to serious marathon and ultra runners.

I spoke to race director Paul Albon on how he came up with the idea, the pressures of coping with the coronavirus... and plying entrants with beer and cider at the end of events.

 

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When Susan Wheatcroft decided to run the London Marathon, she needed a sure-fire way to reach her funding target.

What she came up with was offering people a reward to take part in a virtual race. The money they paid to do so went to her charity.

The idea was such a success that 400 people took part.

It was the start of Virtual Runner UK. These days Susan holds virtual races all over the world, with people's entrance fees going to charity.

Virtual running works in the same way as any other type of running, but the difference is that the entered race can be run at any location, at any pace, inside on a treadmill or outside in another country.

All people have to do is enter a race and provide evidence that you have done it; and Susan will send them a medal in return.

I spoke to her about running virtually during the coronavirus crisis, her own running journey and how Virtual Runner can work for everyone.

 

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This week I spoke to one of favourite people, Leo de Awa.

He was responsible for the start of my own running journey, persuading me during a meal in Seville that I could run a marathon.

I trained pretty hard for that I can tell you, but nothing like as hard as Leo trains.

That's because he's a race walker with his sights set on the Olympic Games.

He also makes me laugh. A lot... I hope you enjoy his story.

 

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Imagine running almost 90km and then not getting a medal or finishing time because you missed the cut off point by 33 seconds?

That's what happened to Deon Ehlers when he took on the gruelling Comrades Ultra Marathon in South Africa.

Fortunately for him it wasn't his first go at the race - in all he's officially completed it five times.

I spoke to Deon about his numerous Comrades experiences, as well as being a parkrun event director, running for fun and working as a policeman in South Africa during the coronavirus outbreak.

 

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Carole James was left wheelchair bound after a car accident, suffering from constant pain, PTSD and depression.

Her competitive streak wouldn't allow life to keep her down though and before too long she was trying all sorts of wheelchair sports. At first archery proved most attractive, but ultimately it was wheelchair racing that became her passion.

Through Northamptonshire Sport and Northampton parkrun, she started to love life again.

These days, she's one of the faces of Sport England's This Girl Can campaign, promoting women in sport. This is Carole' story.

 

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Mark Kennedy was enjoying the holiday of a lifetime when he suddenly passed out.

He was diagnosed with a brain injury that effects his mood, making him tired and anxious.

His doctor said contact sport was out of the question, but he might be able to carry on running.

Thankfully he could and Mark remains one of the most popular runners at Northampton parkrun and with Northampton Road Runners.

Now he's written a book about his experience - entitled 'What the Hell Just Happened' (the reaction of his wife Jules when she found found him passed out).

I talked to him about coping with his brain injury, running marathons and becoming an author.

 

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