Andrew has been a member of the club since 2014. He created our Target 5K Beginners Group and is a regular at club events.  He met his running buddy, soulmate and now wife Gemma through the club.  They married last year!

In 2019.  Andrew has handed over the running of the very successful T5k this month to get back to Club runs and his own running goals.   Gemma and Andrew will be race organisers of the Buxton Carnival 4 Mile race in 2019.

1. When, why and how did you start your running career?  Based on your own experience what advice would you give to a new runner just starting out?
   I first started running in 2013, on the treadmill at first but then I saw a flyer for the Pavilion Gardens 5K and decided to gave that a go, I began to really enjoy running outdoors and, by March 2014 had plucked up enough courage to ask about joining Buxton AC..I loved the club runs but found them very tough at first as a new runner, which led to me starting a beginners group in early 2015.  The Target 5K Group has worked very well since then in encouraging people to take up running and attracting new members to the club. I’d recommend a structured run/walk plan to anyone just starting out or for anyone who hasn’t ran for quite some time.
2. What is your favourite and your hardest training session?
   Club Nights! I’ve always preferred running with a group and the members of Buxton AC are fantastic.  On club nights I have discovered some lovely places around town. Made many fantastic friends and challenged myself to do better each session, you can make each session as hard as you wish – no matter which group you run with! Hills and strength training off road in summer, fitness and speed training on the roads in winter.
3. What is the main benefit you get from running?
   There are so many! Running makes me fitter, happier and healthier. I’ve also made so many wonderful new friends too, but I think the biggest benefit was finding my lovely wife through running!
4. What keeps you going when you’re going through a bad patch (injury, low motivation, disappointing results etc.)?”
   I’m actually going through this stage at the moment to be honest and have a real problem with my fitness (or fatness?) but I’m full of eager anticipation and really looking forward to getting out on club runs twice a week again, which I’m sure will have massive benefits on my fitness.
5. What do you value the most about being a Member of a running Club?
   I love the camaraderie of club membership. A mutual respect and friendship amongst runners of all ages and abilities.
6. What is your favourite type of running and why? What is your favourite training route?  What is your favourite race and why?
   I just love ANY type of running to be honest! I HATE training for a marathon but, if you can find someone to do it with you, then the run along the canal tow paths from Whaley Bridge to Manchester Piccadilly has to be one of my favourite training routes. The Pavilion Gardens 5K is still my favourite race as it is the first one, I ever did but I also really enjoy the Staffordshie Moorlands AC Summer Series races and the Hairy Helmet Relays are a favourite too.
7. Have you ever had a “nightmare” when racing?  What happened and how did you overcome it? Did you finish the race?  Did you learn from it? Can you laugh about it now? 
   Yes, the Greater Manchester Marathon in March 2016. I was on course for a great PB but what had started out as a frosty morning soon turned into a very hot day and I had horrendous cramp from around mile 20 onwards, the last six miles proved a very difficult struggle, but it was a lesson learned in fuelling and hydrating properly for particular weather conditions.
8. If you could pick a day when you could stand on the start line of any race in England knowing you would win it outright as you have been given “magic legs” for the day – Which race would you choose and why?
   That would surely have to be the London Marathon.
9. How many pairs of trainers do you currently own?  Which pair are your favourite and why?
   Not too many…two pairs of road shoes, two pairs of trail shoes, a pair of fell shoes and some cross-country spikes.
10. What is your typical training week?
    I’ve no training goals at the moment but if I am training for something, I like to take the 70/30 approach: 70% of my runs at a very comfortable pace and 30% involving more effort.  Say two clubs runs and a challenging race or long run at weekend.
11. & FINALLY – What is your main running related goal for 2019?
    Well, I won’t be spending this year chasing any PB’s so I’m just going to concentrate on an overall improvement of running and fitness through regular clubs runs each week.

Thank you so much to Andrew.  A super informative look into your running career.

I hope his answers help to inspire you get the “love of running” bug.  Next month it’s a “Focus on the Athlete – April”  A female athlete will take up the “Interview Challenge”.  Please let me know your Nominations (secretly) by Sunday March 31st.  (Must be a senior female Member of Buxton AC for April).  Who do you want to ask these questions of?  Who’s training secrets do you wish to know?   The questions will be the same each month, except for one that the previous “Focus Athlete” will choose.  I really hope you enjoyed this.

Cheers

Sue Jeff