Welcome to this month’s Member Spotlight, apologies for the lack of spotlight for August but so many people were on holiday I felt it would be good to save this until now………
September’s Member Spotlight is none other than our very own Welfare Lead, Diane Lockhart who likes to socialise with friends and is usually the last one standing!….
Over to you Diane.
- How did you get into running and why?
It feels like a very long time ago now, but in 2016 I decided I wanted to do a Parkrun for a few reasons really. I had stopped smoking and really wanted to do something that was just for me.
I love a challenge, but wow guys, I have to say it was so difficult running for the first time since school. I managed about 50 yards before walking and remember wondering how on earth I was going to do it, but I did.
- What kept you going when you first started running?
Someone said I wouldn’t stick to it and that made me determined! I can be very stubborn when I set my mind to something!, I followed a plan to the letter which helped me and I did not deviate from it. I can honestly say I have never found running as hard as when I had to train my body to run that first 5k, but also the sense of achievement was so worth it, also, once I had got over the fear of people seeing me running and stopped waiting until dark, yes I really did that.
I realised that runners are such an amazing and lovely encouraging bunch, I really felt boosted by random strangers giving me encouragement. Lee Morris also had a hand in keeping me running by encouraging me to join Quakers, I’m thankful to him for that and I have never looked back
- How much training do you typically do each week?
I usually run 3-4 times a week.
4. Be honest, do you enjoy training?
Do you know what, I found that now I run consistently, and running is part of my routine I do actually enjoy running and love the feeling of getting my heart racing.
But let’s be honest, when it comes to proper training for an actual race, I really do struggle to stick to a training plan.
Apart from that first 5k I did, I have never managed to follow a training plan fully….. 4 week marathon training comes to mind and we could say that one or two of those weeks was tapering!. Louise has done me a few last minute plans before to get me though a race in the past and everything always seems to work out in the end.
- Do you do any other sports or fitness activities?
Well there’s a question, after COVID, I decided I wanted to do a Triathlon and a Duathlon just to see if I could really. At that time, I could swim about a width of a pool splashing around slightly panicked. So, I watched some YouTube videos, bought some goggles and got myself doing a few lengths at the Dolphin centre, from there I joined the triathlon club for a bit and went to some of their swim sessions, then got myself a wetsuit followed by the open water. In all honesty, I still get a bit scared in open water, but I also like pushing myself out my comfort zone and a wetsuit keeps you afloat so that helps.
As part of my Triathlon and Duathlon adventure, I needed to bike, I loved cycling as a child, we didn’t have a car so I would cycle an awful lot. Cycling with friends in fair weather to a nice café or pub garden is my idea of a great day, unfortunately I haven’t managed to get on my bike since October, it’s on my to-do list to get back to this though. Ooh, I have just thought, I also go the gym sometimes, at my age realise I should probably do some strength training!
- Do you manage to fit in any other hobbies?
I love socialising with friends, if you can count that as a hobby! I also enjoy creative and crafty things and go on little days out with my friends to do random activities to fill my house with home-made tat.I also really like to read and I would say historical fiction is my favourite genre. The Wolf Den Trilogy is brilliant if you like that sort of thing.
- Tell us about some of the races that you’ve done in the past
Oh wow, ok, so I have done some cross country, a fair few from the 10k league, a few half marathons and more recently Shepherds Walk Marathon. I really just like a race that’s a little day out. Think trails, nature, villages and cake stalls and that’s my sort of run. A race I have done in the past and really enjoyed is Beckbusters which I noticed is in this year;s championship.
- What’s your current running goal?
Genuinely, my running goal is to enjoy running and stay grateful that I can run. I feel very lucky that I can run. Secondary to this, as we all have a little competition within ourselves, I wouldn’t complain if I could get a sub 24 Parkrun, sub 50 10k and sub 2 half.
- What are your longer term running goals?
To try new things and have fun, something along the lines of Lyke Wake Challenge sounds interesting although I cannot actually read a map and have been known to get lost in Darlington….. But I did say I like a challenge!
- What is your favourite race/distance/terrain?
I think I like a 10k, long enough to know I have worked hard and short enough I don’t need to train for it! I absolutely love trails and nature. Crackpots Trail Run was fantastic this year. I loved Shepherds Walk, Cleveland Way Relays, Swinnerdale Swagger and all the mud and puddles of XC!!
- What are your proudest running achievements?
Completing my first Parkrun for the 1st time in 34:06 and running a Marathon distance with Dave, Sue and Darren last year as part of the “Darlo’ Dash” route are my proudest running achievements.
With the Darlo’ Dash, (marathon distance plus a little more) I had no idea I was going to run that far, no plan to or any real faith that I had it in me to do it. I was over the moon that I managed it with lots of encouragement from Dave and Sue. I have to admit, I was a bit broken afterwards, but that run, and more so the company I had gave me heaps more confidence in my running abilities.
These runs are completely different to each other, but both are moments that make me really proud. I am also proud I can run with Louise socially now and just about keep up!
- Anything in your running experience you regret?
No absolutely nothing, no point regretting what you cannot change.
- How many pairs of trainers/ running shoes do you have and do you have a favourite pair?
I have had a huge clear out, so at the minute I have 2 pairs of trainers, Brooks and Mizuno. I will need to get some new trails before XC starts though!
- What’s your idea of running heaven?
I would be in a forest with that feeling you get when your running and everything feels right. You feel like a runner, everything is easy and you are just enjoying being alive. I also love the social aspect of running, so Parkrun tourism is a perfect morning out for me. If you want to know more about Parkrun Tourism, give me a shout or grab me at the club before sessions!
- What’s your idea of running hell?
A flat out and back with long straight drags, headwind and nothing to look at, I’ve got to be honest I usually end up walking in these situations or avoid the run completely
- What is the best piece of running advice you’ve ever been given?
That’s a toughie, I have been given so many tips from people. Kind of cheating but my top 3 tips are to enjoy running, be consistent and move my arms!
- Any advice to newcomers to running?
One day you will just find that it all just comes together, nothing will be as hard as training yourself up to that first 5k, make sure you enjoy being able to run and engage in the social side of our club and make new friends. Ooh and get yourself to a Treasure Hunt or a Parkrun tourism.
- What keeps you going when the going gets tough in a hard race?
If I am in nature or on a trail I think how fantastically lucky I am to be exactly where I am in that moment and I really take in where I am. I also convert miles into kilometres and back again and tell myself I will run to a certain point at the next hill and walk up the rest which seems a more achievable goal if the run is on a road.
- How do you relax/reward yourself after a race?
Err, well I like a drink now and again lol, but I don’t need a reward as running is a reward within itself.
20. If you could run anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Honestly, I really thought about this and I still don’t know the answer. I am happy to embrace new adventures and opportunities that come my way and if I see something that looks fun I plan to try and do it if I can. Oh and I am trying to tick off lots of Parkruns so I should visit a few places doing that!
Thank you so much to Diane for taking us through her drinking, I mean running journey!!
I hope everyone agrees that this has been a fantastic journey with some cracking achievements along the way, Diane is a massive asset to the club and works really hard behind the scenes as part of our management committee.
As usual if anyone fancies taking part, then just give me a shout on my email
welfare.male@quakersrunningclub.org.uk
Bri.
welfare.male@quakersrunningclub.org.uk
Bri