Hi, and welcome to another Runner’s Profile, by Werrington Joggers. Today we are profiling a longtime club member.

So, whats your name, and how long have you been a member of Werrington Joggers ?

Denise – I joined WJ in 2015 having stared running the previous year.

When did you start running, and what was your motivation to start ?

Other than running to the bar for last orders I hadn’t ran since my school days and then it was only up and down the hockey field. I decided that I wanted to run the Great Eastern Run before I turned 50 so I spoke to Tim Cook, who I already knew, in the February of 2014 and before I knew it, I had a training plan and a running coach!

How many pairs of running shoes do you own, and which is your favourite ?

Three – my “new” road shoes which I run in most of the time, my “old” road shoes which I now use for off road/trail running. I’ve tried a few different road shoes and my “go to” now are Brooks Adrenelin GTS. My third pair are trail shoes which I’m about to ditch as I really don’t get on with them and I don’t do enough trail/off road running to justify buying a new pair but never say never.

What was your favourite ever run, or race ?

I’m picking two here…favourite race – Robin Hood Nottingham Half Marathon. Not just because it’s my PB course but because of the support all through the city, the course itself, whilst hilly at times as lovely. It was also a Club Championship race so there was plenty of support from club mates too.

Favourite run – any when life is getting you down and you go out with your running buddies. There’s nothing like it for a bit of therapy.

What kind of distance is your ‘happy place’ when going for a run, and what speed to you tend to run it at ?

Ha ha! Those that know me and how much I moan (and swear!) when running will probably struggle to believe I have a “happy place”

I’d say 5 miles and 10k is where I’m happiest now. Pace wise I’ll never be fast and I’m now running 5 miles slower than I used to run 10k. That’s not the point though, for me the fact that I’m still running over 10 years after my “one time only” race is what matters.

The great thing about Werrington Joggers is that there is always encouragement and support and it doesn’t matter whether your running 6 minute miles or 16 minute miles.

For new runners, what would be your advice on what to avoid ?

I’d say don’t do too much too soon and seek advice if you need to. There are some fantastic coaches at WJ who are always happy to help and plenty of members too, who whilst they may not be coaches, have plenty of running and racing experience.

Finally, I’d say don’t avoid joining a running club and don’t think you’re not good enough/fast enough.