May 2021 Member of the Month

Nigel Evans

Congratulations to Nigel Evans who our May member of the month! He was awarded for his brilliant 10 marathons in 10 days to raise much needed funds for the Young Minds charity (Nigel’s just giving page) and did some of his runs alongside other Sandhurst Joggers members. We spoke with Nigel to find out more about him:

1. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF SANDHURST JOGGERS:

I was first a member over 20 years ago but then moved out of the area but re-joined when I moved back to Sandhurst a few years ago.

2. WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THE CLUB:

It was my local running club literally on my door step and all running levels were catered for so I could progress to faster groups as my fitness and confidence levels improved. Before my first club run I was pretty nervous but that feeling soon passed as everyone was so nice and supportive. I also like red.

3. TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:

I was going to cut and paste my Tinder profile here but maybe not ( joking Liz)

I am 56 years old and married to the long suffering  Liz Evans who is also a member of Sandhurst Joggers and some of you may know, between us we have 5 grown up children.

I love music and play guitar with Bass guitar being my thing. Most of my running is powered by the dulcet tones of the Sex Pistols , The Stranglers ,The Clash etc ( yes I was a 70’s Punk) I also love the theatre and myself and Liz go to many concerts and shows.

I find it difficult to sit still and am definitely getting more cantankerous the older I get 😊

4. WHAT BENEFITS DO YOU FEEL YOU GAIN FROM RUNNING, WITH OR WITHOUT THE CLUB:

The social aspect is an important benefit for me being a member of Sandhurst Joggers and I have made many wonderful , supportive friends through the club.

The team spirit is amazing especially if you attend events like the Endure 24 or The Grizzly.

Since I have been focusing on the longer distance events I have found it more difficult to get to the weekly club runs so although I know many of the older members I do not know many of the newer members so I am trying now to get to the Tuesday club runs with Liz which has been great.

Running is also my stress release and if I don’t run for a few days I feel very twitchy, it allows me time to think and many of my best runs are the ones where I literally had to drag myself out the house.

COVID lockdowns made it difficult to stay motivated so I did things I will probably never do again like run 19 miles round my 3 wheelie bins ( 3340 laps ) and I also did a 50k running round my garden.

5. DO YOU TAKE PART IN ANY OTHER SPORTS:

At the moment running is my main thing and takes up a lot of my time but I used to do Triathlons which I enjoyed and I am still a member of 3cTri as I may go back to Triathlons in the future.

I also used to do Karate when I was younger and would definitely like to pursue this again and get my Black Belt. 

6. DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE  DISTANCE YOU LIKE TO RUN:

Marathon distance is my favourite and probably wont come as a surprise to people who know me.

7. DO YOU ENJOY RACES:

If by races you mean running events then yes I do very much but I don’t race ,I just enjoy the challenge of the event and meeting many awesome people along the way, the time it takes me is pretty low down on my priorities. I also have to have a goal or a purpose so entering as many events as I do gives me that.

8. DO YOU ENJOY / PARTICIPATE IN THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF THE CLUB:

I do yes and as mentioned before the Endure 24 and The Grizzly  are great for meeting many club members especially if it includes a night away.

The annual ball is also excellent and its nice to see people in posh clothes rather than sweaty running kit. 

In 2015 myself and fellow club members Chris Lambourn, Leon Hicks and Lance King did a road trip to run Loch Ness Marathon and to date it is still one of the best times I have had through running !

9. WHAT ARE YOUR RUNNING ASPIRATIONS:

At the moment my focus is on becoming a member of the 100 Marathon club, I am currently on 65 Marathons so if all goes well I should fulfil this ambition at some point next year.

I will be doing my first 50 miler in June then maybe a 100 miler will be on the cards.

My ultimate ambition would be to complete the Comrades Marathon which is an Ultra Marathon (approx. 55 miles with a 12 hr cut) held in South Africa.

10. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU FEEL THE CLUB COULD IMPROVE:

I think the club offers something for everyone and we are in good hands at the moment and now I have my Sandhurst Joggers buff I’m a happy man ( I’m a sucker for buffs )

Alison Jones on her 50th Marathon Achievement!

Well done to Sandhurst Joggers member Alison Jones for completing her 50th marathon recently, I caught up with her (I didn’t have too far to go!) to find out more about her journey.

MY JOURNEY TO 50 MARATHONS

On completion of my 50th Marathon on 18th May 2021 I have been asked to write something about my journey, so here goes.

I was never planning to run a marathon, well maybe just the one, and if I did not die in the process that would be that ticked off, somehow that never quite happened.

My marathon journey started in Edinburgh in 2012, I ran this with my sister, I said when is the next one, she said never again, we have both stayed true to our word.

I have been to Europe, America and the Far East to run marathons and on the way I achieved the 6 Marathon Majors of Berlin, New York, London, Chicago, Boston and Tokyo, it was in Chicago that I saw the Abbott’s stand and went along to see what it was all about, when I realised I already had 3 of the events ticked off and was about to run the fourth I set about entering for Boston, fortunately I was well inside the qualifying time, so after Boston only Tokyo which I completed in 2017.

These were obviously a high point, but I had some great adventures like hitch hiking to the start of a race dressed in a long dress and tiara in thunder and lightning, running through French Vineyards, running through English Vineyards dressed in a kilt and running the final 2 furlongs of Chester Racecourse dressed in English Athletics kit.

When I started out all my marathons were on road, but I have since discovered the beauty of trails, but I have run laps, out and back, point to point, in snow storms, 3 marathons in 3 days you name it I have probably done it.

I thought I had this marathon business worked out, 4.18 at Edinburgh, 4.02 Amsterdam, 3.58 Prague and then 3.56 Dublin, so the more you do the quicker you get? Somehow along the way this theory has proven not to be the case, but what you loose one way you gain another, I might never see those times again but I have never had such fun and have found running with great friends has given me a new lease of life, no matter the distance.

I don’t know if I will ever reach 100, but I really don’t care, I did not know I had reached 50 until I counted them up, as they say” if you enjoy it it’s not work” and that’s how I feel.

Here are some pictures during her many events:

 

 

 

 

Information about intervals!

Sandhurst Joggers offers two intervals sessions per week, on a Tuesday and Friday evening and here are some of the huge benefits of interval training:

• Helps you get faster
• Helps build up your endurance
• Makes you push yourself
• The sessions are for all abilities and as the intervals are timed, just go as far as you can in that time.  
• All you need is a watch, yourself and a willingness to work hard.  
• Everyone in the group is really really friendly and wants to help you improve.  
• You can run at your own pace and stop whenever you want to you.  
• Learn about the technique of running from experienced coaches & runners.

See below for some common questions that are asked about intervals.

FAQ about Intervals:

When is it? 

Tuesday evening at 7.30pm and Friday evening at 7pm.

Who organises them?

The Tuesday session is run by Nik Light, a very experienced and seasoned runner.  The Friday session is run by James, Carl and Newton (our club coaches).

Where is it? 

TUESDAY:  The venue varies but most weeks we meet at the Tythings, Yateley or at the Morgan Rec (where the handicap is), Crowthorne.  

FRIDAY:  The venue varies depending on where the coaches are leading the session from and the focus on the sessions.  

Will I get left behind if I am a slower runner? 

TUESDAY:  No – all our intervals are timed intervals. For example, run for two minutes. This means the faster runners go further and the slower runners go less far in that time. We always use an out and back route or a circuit so you will always see people during the session.  

Will I get left behind on the warm up and cool down? 

No – we always stay together as a group. 

Do I need anything? 

Just a watch and a willingness to work hard.  

We look forward to seeing loads of you at intervals over the next few months. 

Nik, James, Carl and Newton 

April 2021 Member of the Month

Stephen Casey

Congratulation to Stephen who is the April member of the month. Stephen was nominated as at the start of the first lockdown Stephen put together an online quiz for members and throughout various stages of rules and regulations he has continued to keep the much loved Sunday lookout runs going, whilst adhering to track and trace by taking names and contact details on the day, removing the need for members to “pre book” at least for 90 minutes on a Sunday morning members could enjoy some normality in these trying times.

We spoke with Stephen to find out more about him:

1. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF SANDHURST JOGGERS: 

I’ve just had to look this up in old emails – a mere five and a half years!  It feels like it must have been longer but in SJ terms, that’s a new-born.  The first club run that I remember was https://www.strava.com/activities/418242515 (see comment about it and also about being a geek later). 

2. WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THE CLUB: 

I was running alone and finding it impossible to get motivated to do the same ‘ol plod around Tesco and back, or maybe adventuring on the Frimley Hospital 10k route.  I didn’t think it’d be for me but decided to try out an SJ club night.  I need to call out the ever-lovely Nikki F-S who basically carried me back the last 1/3^rd of the Ellis Road tempo route and made me understand the benefits of running with others. 

3. TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF: 

Mostly I’m a miserable old git, but I suppose a single father of two (almost) grown-up kids, certified geek, and hopelessly rudderless (old git) is equally accurate.  I’ve lived in this area (though now Farnham which stretches the point) since 1999, having been brought up in Dublin and spending my university years in the midlands. 

4. WHAT BENEFITS DO YOU FEEL YOU GAIN FROM RUNNING, WITH OR WITHOUT THE CLUB: 

Mostly it allows me to eat pizza and drink beer when I want to.  But other than that – it’s definitely the social aspect.  Lockdown made me realise that I basically don’t like running – I just like running with others.  I’ve missed a lot of people in the past year but thankfully kept some connections by hook or by crook. 

5. DO YOU TAKE PART IN ANY OTHER SPORTS: 

Lockdown got me back into cycling (virtually, mostly involving talking and egging each other on over a video chat).  Before SJ I used to do a bit of triathlon and I hope to get back in the pool/lake soon too.  Since the kids are a lot older now, maybe I’ll have time and won’t just get terrible at running when I devote time to cycling and slower on the bike when I improve my swim! 

6. DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE DISTANCE YOU LIKE TO RUN: 

Honestly, yes: 90 mins.  Technically you might claim that’s not a distance but you’d be wrong. 

7. DO YOU ENJOY RACES: 

I’m really rubbish at entering them.  If I can’t get a place a few days before, I’m probably not going.  But they are great for two things: having something to aim for, keeping you off the sofa, and getting outdoors.  The second, which races have in common with parkrun, is that they push you that little bit harder.  The pitter-patter of feet behind you (that you MUST stay ahead of) and that person ahead (who you know you can catch) is very motivating! 

8. DO YOU ENJOY / PARTICIPATE IN THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF THE CLUB: 

Mostly, yes!  Green Belt Relay is basically a couple of days of socialising with a very brief break to run.  The ritual post-TVXC pint is an institution I miss, hopefully, to return this winter.  But I’ve still got a few of the social events to tick off.  I honestly don’t know how Graham R gets around so many pubs and can still stand let alone run the pub crawl event!  Mine’s a shandy… 

9. WHAT ARE YOUR RUNNING ASPIRATIONS: 

If I can keep up my pace I’ll be a world champion in the 80+ age group races.  I figure it’s a war of attrition. 

10. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU FEEL THE CLUB COULD IMPROVE: 

I’m pretty sure everyone who knows me (or noticed me on FB) already knows my opinion on what could be better.  But it’s really not that important.  So long as we continue to bring people into running (c25k programme people, you’re all amazing).  So long as we support those who want to run for fun and encourage those who want to win.  So long as we have fun doing it.  SJ will continue to be an amazing club.  I’m in debt to those past, current, and future who step up and make it happen. 

March 2021 Member of The Month

Sophie Le Saux

Congratulations to Sophie who is the March member of the month. Sophie was nominated and given the award for litter picking within her local community, thank you for making the local area a cleaner place to live in!

We spoke with Sophie to get to know more about her:

1. How long have you been a member of Sandhurst Joggers? I joined in February 2015. And my first club run was on a Monday night. I was a bit nervous I wouldn’t keep up with the group, but I made it back to the Sports Centre car park in one piece! Patrick was very supportive. I remember not being able to talk and run but I seem to have mastered it now! Little did I know that I, when I signed up, I became the 300^th Member and received a personalised SJ vest.
2. What first attracted you to the club? The Sandhurst Joggers sign by Memorial Park! Then for a few months, I kept visiting the SJ website and the rest is history. 
3. Tell us a bit about yourself? I am from Brittany, and I have lived in the UK since January 1999. You would think by now I would have a perfect British accent, well not in the slightest! I lived in Peterhead in the north east of Scotland for 2 years then moved to Sandhurst. I have a son, Lucas, that I keep dragging to Parkrun or other running activities! I am a sales manager selling catering equipment to global fast-food chains in the UK, Ireland, and the Nordics. 
4. What benefits do you feel you gain from running, with or without the club? My job can get hectic and running helps with my stress levels. After a run, I am a much nicer person to be around. 
5. Do you take part in any other sports? Not really, I tried cycling when I was injured, bought all the gear but realised I didn’t enjoy it as much as running. And as soon as I was fit again, the bike never left the shed. I do enjoy Pilates and it keeps me injury-free.
6. Do you have a favourite distance you like to run? I enjoy half marathons as they are long enough to be a challenge and my body doesn’t need weeks to recover like for a marathon.
7. Do you enjoy races? Yes definitely, but I prefer the longer distances, 10 miles+. Training for a race makes me so much more disciplined. I like following a plan and if left to my own devices, it tends to go wrong. I know it’s all very subjective but Farnborough Half and Fleet Half are my favourite races, lots of Sandhurst Joggers running and supporting.
8. Do you enjoy/participate in the social aspect of the club? Yes, during the past year, I took part in a few of the challenges. It kept the boredom at bay and got me out of the house.
9. What are your running aspirations? I would love to run another marathon and do it in 3h45min. If I put some effort into it, I think I can achieve it. Famous last words!
10. Is there anything you feel the club could improve? Not really, I think we are lucky to have a club that offers runs 6 days of the week. I don’t have anything to complain about…so terribly unFrench of me!