Biography

So when I was younger I was pretty average. I didn't even make the school team on merit. But as they were a bit low on numbers they put up a notice on the sports notice board asking for volunteers to make up the team. I was the only person to sign up and I plodded round the playing fields in my trainers and finished about 28th which I thought was pretty good. I enjoyed it, but I wasn't 'picked' for the team again and didn't end up running another step for months. But then they were actually desperate. There was a 5k which the school entered and of course, 5k is a near marathon at that age, so they had a number of mysterious one day illnesses which meant I was pulled into the squad once more at late notice. I won the race and I suppose that was me bitten by the bug.

Until I left home to go to University I was coached by Graeme Nicholson at Richmond and Zetland Harriers. I used to go up to Catterick Garrison twice a week be it sun, rain or snow. I went to each session without fail, probably not doing myself any favors in the popularity stakes by always racing ahead, instead of being sociable and running around in the group with the others. But Graeme was great - he helped me to progress steadily through the age groups and a highlight of my junior career was winning the Yorkshire cross country championships at Thirsk as an U15 when I led from gun to tape despite only being a few meters ahead the whole way. Other than that and a few county schools titles I didn't reach any major heights.

Finishing second to last in my heat of the Junior Girls 800m (!) at the English Schools was something I thought I would always rather forget - but haven't , and now it just makes me smile - how ridiculously nervous I was and how I thought all the other girls were so professional! I didn't even break 5 minutes for a 1500m until I was an U17 and when I did I thought I'd made it! However, Graeme instilled in me that dedication can get you a long way and what is most important is that you enjoy what you are doing.

I had a quiet few years running wise during my undergrad degree at Nottingham University - a few injuries, the lack of a formal training structure, combined with a fairly demanding course meant that really I just kept ticking over running a couple of times a week and doing some of the uni races. I still had 'dreams' but I think at this point that's all they were. I don't think I really believed that they could ever happen, and whilst I would never have stopped running I can see that my days of competing may have gradually petered out once I graduated and had to start work.

But then I met Chris and he was (is) quite frankly obsessed! When we met, he was training hard and I saw that he had aims and believed he could reach them and I wondered if I had really given it a good go. I began to train properly and progressed quite well but always felt that I was waiting for one thing....the marathon. So at the grand old age of 24 I tackled my first London.. I was pretty under prepared - in good shape - but had done no marathon specific training. I was satisfied with 2.45 but not overjoyed. But I absolutely loved the experience and I knew I had found my calling! (I think...)

The last year has had it's up and downs. I moved to Manchester in August 2008 to start a new job which meant that until very recently myself and Chris (who now coaches me) were living apart, whilst he finished his PhD in Nottingham. I also found the new job quite stressful and this impacted massively on my running performance as I felt pretty horrendous most of the time. Combined with low iron levels, a series of minor injuries and a loss of confidence, it's not been the best of years.

At the beginning of June after another terrible track session I knocked my season on the head without ever getting started, took a couple of weeks off and started to get my head straight. Since then I feel it's starting to go better. The job's improved (or I have thicker skin), I'm injury/anaemia free and feel in decent shape.

We've changed quite a lot about my training over the past year and feel only now that we're starting to understand what I respond well to and how we can work on my weaknesses. It's still unproven as to whether or not it's working but I feel confident that if it doesn't we will just try something else.

My main aim is simply to just keep improving and do all I can to be the best I can be - however good or bad that is. I would like to look back at the end of my career and feel satisfied that I did all I could , not regretting that I didn't train harder or train smarter. Easier said than done I know!

I wanted to contribute to the site to try and get us females better represented. I may not be real good and I may not be real interesting..but surely if you're still reading after all this it can't be that bad!!!

I hope you enjoy following my journey