What do you do to keep fit?

I play Squash, Badminton, do aerobics, exercise classes and go walking. Before the pandemic I was playing a number of squash and badminton matches every week as well as doing the other classes. During lockdown I was able to keep up exercise classes via zoom and facebook live, I also went for short walks every day.

You do such a variety of sports. What is your favourite exercise and why?

Definitely squash and badminton. I love the competitive side of it. It’s also very aerobic and there is a lot of skill involved. I look forward to getting back to this soon.

What are your most memorable moments in terms of sport?

There are a few. I did the moon walk, which is a marathon walked at night, to raise money for breast cancer. I did this 3 years in a row having never done any distance walking before training for the first.

I also loved doing the Nijmegen marches. Its the largest multiple day marching event in the world. It runs every year in mid July. There are four days of ‘marches’. We walked on all four days for 25 miles with each route starting and finishing in Nijmegen. The marches have taken place since 1909. Originally it was a military event but now is mainly for civilians although military do participate and we saw a number of groups of them during our walks. It was a massive event and it felt like all of Holland came out to wave at you. It’s very well supported and an amazing atmosphere. We loved it and it was so worthwhile after all the training (we walked up to 50 miles a week in the last few weeks of training).

Have you had any injuries that have held you up?

I’ve had several relating to my feet! I’ve had issues with my ankles, Achilles and then had Sesamoiditis also. The tendon in my foot gets inflamed and stops you from walking. I had to see a consultant and a podiatrist. Eventually, however, I learnt to cope with it and also recognise the early signs of it coming on. I now know when my calves get tight I need to get them massaged and this helps to prevent the onset of Sesamoiditis.

I also have Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction. The SI joints link the pelvis with the lower spine and cause me lower back ache and leg pain. I injured it training for an indoor triathlon. I’ve had physio, saw a Consultant and had a steroid injection. I’m now working on strengthening my glutes which helps to prevent the back pain.

You mention an indoor triathlon. What was that about?

A friend of mine, Debra Montague, was diagnosed with ALK positive lung cancer which is not caused by smoking. She set up a charity to raise money and support ALK positive lung cancer patients across the UK. She has done so many things now for this charity and is an amazing woman. She decided to run an indoor triathlon and I agreed to join in. I started training in the August and we did the triathlon in the October. The triathlon raised £15,000 for the charity. You can find more information on the charity here: https://www.alkpositive.org.uk).

You’ve mentioned there was a group doing the triathlon. Do you feel group exercise has been a good opportunity to make friends?

Definately! The exercise classes I go to are now run by an independent company but it was previously part of a Rosemary Conley Franchise. It’s like an exercise company and social club rolled into one. As well as a massive range of exercise classes on offer including HIIT, Dancercise, Pilates, Yoga, Tone, Chair Fit and many more, they also organise theatre trips, barn dances, trips at home and abroad and we all also organise amongst ourselves to meet up for coffee or even breakfast sometimes after a class. We’ve been to Portugal and more recently Madeira. They organised some activities such as a boat trip to see fireworks but its also just an opportunity to socialise and have fun.

What do you do to keep fit?

I work as a landscape Gardner/designer and also as a personal trainer. I love walking my dog, running, fell running and also just recently bought a paddle board. I basically love anything that keeps me moving 😁

What is your favourite sport?

Fell running is my passion. I started off road running but always felt the need to run too fast. I was initially afraid of running out on trails but once I found myself off road, I realised it was more me. I love finding new trails I never knew were there. I feel good out on the hills and found my joy. I also have no knee pain, there is less impact on my joints running off road. I’ve discovered I’m a good downhill runner which I love.

How do you feel when you are out running?

I lose myself in the moment. Sometimes I think a lot about things but mostly I just switch off. I have a very busy brain so its good for me to find that peace; it grounds me. It’s also just a positive thing to do something you love and you get a sense of achievement whatever the distance.

What are your greatest achievements/most memorable moments?

I really remember my first 10K. It was the Manchester 10K which I ran for my dads charity. It was a big deal for me to run 10K then and I felt so emotional to have achieved it. It led me onto more running.

The most poignant run was the Cortina Ultra in the Dolomites. I was blown away by the enormity of the mountains and the distance/elevation (The Cortina Ultra is 50km and has 2,800 metres of elevation). I turned up with my old backpack and probably the wrong gear; surrounded by very professional looking runners with fancy gear from many different countries. It was amazing though and the people are so friendly and helpful. That’s something you find in trail running in general.

Do you have any comical moments to share?

Well I lost my trainer once. It was an ultra marathon in Leeds. I thought I was just running through fields and then my foot sank right down up to my calf. It turns out it was a bog; I tried pulling my leg out and promptly fell over in the bog. I was then not only without trainer but resembled a buffalo rolling around in the mud 😆.

What is your fitness background prior to the running?

I always wanted to be a dancer. I did a bit of running with my dad but I wasnt really into it back then. I loved contemporary dance and ballet and got into dance college. For personal reasons that didn’t happen and my life took a different course and I became a florist.

How did you go from Florist to Personal Trainer and why?

I did it for my own benefit really. I still do florist work but I wanted to be injury free when running and I was doing more and more Ultras. I had trained for 15 years with my own personal trainer and I still see him now and again. I wanted to learn more about it and be stronger. I love it now and its my passion to help other people. You can find Emmas website here: https://en-gb.facebook.com/peaktrailspt/

You’ve mentioned Ultras plural, which Ultras have you done?

I’ve done the Cortina in the Dolomites, Italy, twice (48km with 2,600m elevation); the Eiger in Switzerland (51km, 2,800m elevation), Mont Blanc (56km and 3,500m elevation). I attempted the Bullock Smithy in the Peak District and I’ve done a few Punk Panther Ultras including the Punk Panther Ultra Leeds (80km) and the Ring O Fire (135 miles around the Isle of Anglesey). I prefer to do ones where I can get points that allow me to do Ultras abroad.

What goals/dreams do you have in relation to your running?

I’d like to run every European Mountain or better said the main mountain in every European Country. I was supposed to do the Pyrenees this year but it was cancelled due to the pandemic. I also want to keep helping other people. I would love to guide people to run and realise you can do this no matter what shape you are. You cant always give someone that motivation though. It’s all about self worth and self aspiration, it comes from within.

What do you do to keep fit?

Currently I mostly go running although I’m hoping to get back into rock climbing when I go back to University. This has been on hold due to the pandemic. I also enjoy doing circuits.

Out of all those activities which do you enjoy most and why?

Rock climbing or more specifically indoor bouldering. Bouldering is done in a climbing centre without ropes as you don’t go up that high and can jump off onto mats. The emphasis is on different types of holds and a great deal of hand, finger, forearm strength is needed. It’s also technically challenging which I enjoy. I get a sense of adventure with doing new levels/routes and its the same with trail running.

I think I always liked climbing/adventuring. When I was young, maybe 7 or 8, I remember being on a beach and seeing a cliff face there. I ran over and climbed all the way to the top not realising it would be harder to get down without ropes. My mum came running over and talked me down slowly!

How does exercise make you feel?

It’s nice to feel I’m staying healthy. During lockdown it was also a good way for me to have a sense of routine since University was closed and jobs were sparse. Most of my other hobbies are sedentary so its good to have something where you are up and on the go.

I think running and climbing compliment each other. When I run I switch off and relax. I’ve tried meditation and I just cant stop my mind from going off here and there. With running I can just accept that. My thoughts will dart all over the place going through my day or other things I want to do but its a relaxing unwinding feeling.

With climbing my mind is very focussed on what I’m doing. Your brain is completely switched on to that very task and there isn’t time to think about anything else except your next hand hold. I like that Ying and Yang of the two different sports.

Do you have any fitness goals or aspirations?

I’d like to progress to more difficult routes on the bouldering side of things and with running it would be nice to do a sub 20 minute 5k or sub 50 minute 10k. I’d also like to do a half marathon or marathon in the longer term. My more immediate aspiration would be to achieve a stronger appearance and feel stronger. I’ve been the one to lose arm wrestling contests with some of my friends. It would be nice to look as if I could win those. It would be good for a feeling of self defence also, to look like someone people wouldn’t want to tackle.

Do you think exercise is good for mental health?

I think being active helps you to switch off and in that sense its very cathartic. It’s also a positive re-inforcement that you are being healthy. In addition it gives you ‘me’ time which I think is so important.

What are your most memorable sporting moments/achievements?

I think there are 2. My mum and I ran the Manchester 10k run just after the Manchester bombings. It felt amazing to run together and with that strong sense of community in the City at that time.

The other was a personal victory for me. I never thought I was good at sport, I wasnt co-ordinated when it came to ball sports. At High School I was entered into a cross country 1500m race against others in my PE group (there were 3 groups across the year). I came first and afterwards people came up to me and said I was like a machine and I would then hear people say ‘oh Tom is good at running’. I’d never been complimented before when it came to sport and it felt really good.

I thought it would be interesting to interview a different person each week to get their insights, feelings and aspirations in terms of sports and fitness. I’m sitting with Chris who has also signed up for triathlons and has many years cycling experience. He is waiting comfortably with a mug of tea and ready to answer my questions.

When did you start cycling?

When I was a kid, I’ve always cycled. One of my earliest memories is cycling from Reddish to Buxton on a fixed wheel bike with my mates. We always stopped at the top of Long Hill as we thought Buxton was a weird place. I remember there were no cars back then.

How did you get into triathlon?

After London Edinburgh London I needed another challenge. I’d swum before and run before. I’d did the Great North swim at Windermere and had run half marathons so people kept saying why don’t you do triathlon so I thought why not.

What made you decide to do LEL (London Edinburgh London) and how much training did you have to do for it?

I really enjoyed Audax already (An Audax is an organised but self supported long distance bike ride). I was sat in a cafe in Hebden Bridge before an Audax and somebody mentioned LEL and my mate said I fancy that and I said lets do it! You don’t have to qualify for it, however, I treated it as if it was PBP (Paris Brest Paris is a qualifying event) and did a 100k, 200k, 300k, 400k and 600k Audaxes in the months leading up to the event.

Out of the three triathlon sports which is your favourite?

Cycling. I’m a natural cyclist, I’ve cycled all my life.

What do you like about running and swimming and why?

I love running because you can do it straight from your front door and it doesn’t require any preparation. I much prefer trail running however to road running. I like swimming, however, having to go the leisure centre for a swim is a bit of a bind. I prefer open water.

What is your next event and how are you going to prepare for it?

My next event is a recently booked 15k trail run in the Lake District. I need to get some hill trail running in for this.

Do you do any other sports?

Yes sometimes I go to the gym and I have a personal trainer. She is great and if you can find a good personal trainer its totally worth the money.

How many training sessions do you do a week?

About 7 or 8. I commute to work on a bike, run once or twice a week, swim once a week, do one or two longer bike rides and see the personal trainer once a week.

How would you describe your diet and does it make a difference to your training?

In the last year I’ve become mainly vegan. The main benefit of this is recovery. I find I am recovering much quicker after exercise than before. I also naturally keep weight off and I’m still getting all the protein and nutrition I need without the shit fats.

Thanks Chris, good luck with the rest of your training 😁

So in terms of my own week training, it was quite a busy week.

On Tuesday I went for a short run but it was faster than usual and I felt really good.

On Wednesday I managed 45 minutes on the turbo and on Thursday I did another flat, local run but slightly longer than Tuesdays run at 4 miles.

My husband went for his first swim since the relaxation in rules. I was quite envious of him as I watched him pack up his wetsuit and set off for the Open Water swimming place (my physio says I can start swimming soon but I have to start in a pool so I can stop easily if my shoulder plays up).

On Friday I decided to do a nearby “Col” on my bike. There are no real Col’s around here but there is a strava segment/hill named one so that will do. I was aiming for a PB and got one but honestly I will not try this again when its a) hot and b) rush hour! I carried on after the hill to do my usual up and over loop.

On Saturday hubby and I had a joint session with our personal trainer. It was a fab workout as always and she comes up with such inventive ways to train which makes it really fun.

After the PT workout I did an 8 mile hilly trail run. I think it was the slowest I’ve run in a long time and mainly because I had to walk a few stretches. A combination of slippy muddy trails and the muggy weather (which makes me a bit out of breath). Despite this I really enjoyed it. I hardly saw any people and its so lovely to be out on the trails on your own (despite running past a nutter standing behind his van, oddly dressed, mumbling and blowing a whistle)…..

Today I went for a bike ride with hubby. Just 38 miles. We were going to do something a bit longer with another hill in it but we were both somewhat weary today so cut it shorter and stopped for a brew mid ride.

I’m now debating the fact that I should be doing my shoulder physio but am suffering from CBA syndrome… hmmm..