Tales of Trails, Mountains and Rocky Roads: Some Good News!

Wednesday, 4 May 2011

Some Good News!

It’s funny how things pan out, and with my focus so far this year being on qualifying for the World 100km Championships in September, I now find myself planning on competing on the trails. I’m not complaining as I do actually enjoy trail running, I just don’t consider myself to be particularly good to do myself justice in competition.

On Tuesday I had a call off Norman asking if I would like to do a 47 mile trail race in July to help me prepare for the 100k. I’m up for any challenge, and when he said that it would mean running in a GB vest, it suddenly dawned on me that it would mean competing in the World Trail Running Championships in Connemara, Ireland. Of course I was ecstatic – another opportunity to represent my country – and it would mean running across bog land and open moor, along country tracks and up mountains in the gorgeous Emerald Isles.

I’ve ran the trails before, competing in the very first World Trail Running Championships in Texas back in 2007 where I finished 3^rd in a 50 mile event, and then of course there was the Swiss Alpine Mountain Marathon – 78km in the Swiss Alps – whilst closer to home I’ve done the Dovedale Dipper, Marlborough Downs 33 mile Challenge, and the Belper Rugby Rover.

I know there will be no pressure on me in Connemara but as ever I will still want to run at my best if I’m wearing a national vest. It’s probably a good thing that I have decided to do the Forest of Dean Ultra Trail Marathon on 15^th May which also serves as a selection race for the Commonwealth Trail Championships later in the year and of course tomorrow I have the Kibblestone Clamber – not quite an ultra marathon but certainly a good start to get me used to running on the trails again!

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A Little Bit About Me

Now living in Alberta, Canada, I was born and raised in Stoke-on-Trent in England, and have been a competitive runner for over 40 years. I began my running career as a track and cross country runner when in my teens before turning to marathon running in my 20's, and then ultra running when I reached my 30's. Although starting out primarily as a road runner, I now consider myself a trail runner and mainly compete in trail races in Canada and the U.S. Over the years, I've completed almost 200 marathons and ultramarathons, and have represented Great Britain at ultra distance world championships numerous times in the past, as well as representing Team Canada at Big's Backyard Ultra World Championship in both 2020 and 2022. More recently, I ran my furthest distance to date when I completed my first 200-mile event -The Divide 200 - in the Rockies of Southern Alberta, finishing in 84 hours and 28 minutes. I still have that drive to be a successful runner, and I enjoy being competitive and training for races. Running has been and still is a huge part of my life, but I couldn't do what I do without the support of my husband Andy who has followed me everywhere to crew and support me at the many races over the years. I am also completely obsessed with my wonderful dogs - Wilson, Tillie and April. These pups continue to be my lucky running mascots and have been to prmlalmost every race with me. They are also my training buddies and I've spent many happy trail miles with them, talking race tactics and seeking advice since they joined our family. After many years of being a successful athlete, these days I am just happy to still be able to run and enjoy what I do - race victories and unlikely PR's are definitely a bonus :-)