Running. Bit of a love or hate one isn’t it? Either you enjoy pounding the pavements several times a week, soaking up the endorphins whilst letting your mind run free, or, you cried your way through that charity 5km and never, ever looked back.
Runners and coaches will tell you, running is a journey not a destination, but there’s a difference between taking a gentle jog along the Southbank and racing a gruelling 100km in the name of a medal. Are these women off their rockers? Or really, really inspiring? We chatted to four amazing ladies who’ve all completed extreme challenges, to find out what drives them, what inspires them to run further, and what it is that keeps them putting one foot in front of the other, and the other, and the other…
This article was first published September 3, 2016.
Susie Chen, 41, Exhibitions Manager
Morning or evening runner? Morning, very much morning. I seem to run better in the morning, and I enjoy the feeling it leaves me with for the rest of the day.
What's the longest run/hardest challenge you've done? Hmm tricky one as some of the things I have done have been difficult for their own reasons. 100 miles non-stop the very first time was tough. It’s such a daunting distance. I broke a world record for running on a treadmill earlier this year. It was for the furthest distance in 12 hours. Whilst the distance itself was not too hard, I became ill during the attempt, which made it mentally very hard to keep going. My last big race was probably the hardest though. It was five days buried in the Amazon jungle. I had to carry everything I needed to live for the week — my hammock, food, and medical kit. The terrain was insanely difficult to traverse; I spent most of the time terrified of the jungle. The whole thing was exhausting, and I was racing for a podium position. (I managed 3rd lady!)
What is it about long-distance, endurance running that you love? I do love running for running’s sake, but the best thing has been the people I have met. It draws from all demographics in society, all walks of life, shapes, sizes, creed. All these people drawn together by the challenge of going by foot a long way. Ultra running is very much about the experience, rather than chasing minute miles. I have made friends for life doing this sport.
What do you eat before a long run? Breakfast will normally be toast or bagels. A banana. If it’s a very long race a milkshake too. The day before a long race will be a carb-heavy dinner: pasta, potatoes, bread. Sometimes all three.
What's the one thing you tell yourself when you really want to stop? That I can do it. I never stand at the start line of a race doubting myself. I never put myself in the position of not being sure, or not wanting to race. That’s the key: having faith in yourself. It’s taken me years to build up the confidence. I have a full arsenal of positivity I unleash when the going gets really tough. I think about the finish line, and the feeling of accomplishing something. I think about the reward of completing, the celebration with my family. I think about the people that doubt me and think I can’t do it and proving them wrong. I think about anything other than the fact I’m running.
Three tracks from your running playlist? Depends on my mood but three favourite recents:
Chemical Brothers – "GO"
Foals – "What went down"
Fleetwood Mac – "Go your Own Way"
What trainers do you run in? Hoka One One. They last for ages!
Best thing about running? The fact you can do it anywhere, any time. Just bring your trainers.
Photo: Courtesy of Alice Tate.
Matilda Egere-Cooper, 35, Blog Network Manager at Time Out
Have you always been a runner? Pretty much. I was all about the 100m at sports day but I only dabbled in long distance running much later when I moved to London for uni in ‘99. I decided to take it seriously when I joined Run Dem Crew in 2011.
Morning or evening runner? I usually run in the evening, but there’s nothing like banging out a few miles in the morning to feel like you’ve made the right choices in life. It’s a great start to the day.
What's the longest run/ hardest challenge you've faced? That would have to be the Race to the Stones Ultra Marathon in 2015. I don’t know what possessed me to think running 50k would be anything other than insane – but surprisingly, it was brilliant. I ran it in seven hours with my homegirl Sanchia, and I just remember eating loads of cake and laughing every other mile. Great day.
What is it about long-distance, endurance running that you love? It’s a real metaphor for life. Sometimes you’re thrown a curveball (like a curb you didn’t see) or things don’t go to plan (because it’s as hot as hell) – but because of the mileage you’re doing, you don’t have much choice but to keep going. Before you know it, you’ve made it to the end, with a lot of lessons to carry you through the next race. That’s the way life I like to live my life, really.
What do you eat before a long run? If I’m being disciplined, I’ll usually wax off a bowl of bircher muesli and a banana before heading out.
What's the one thing you tell yourself/ do when you really want to stop? Whenever I’ve run with Charlie Dark (founder of Run Dem Crew), he’ll occasionally shout “allthewayallthewayallthewayalltheway” to encourage us to keep pushing until we get to the end. So every time I feel like I’m about to hit a wall, I always meditate on the phrase – ‘All the way’ times four.
Three tracks from your running playlist?
Dornik – "Strong"
Kirk Franklin – "Right Before I Die"
The Pharcyde – "Runnin’"
What trainers do you run in? Nike Lunarglides. I need a little bit of support, but they’re not too bulky.
Best thing about running? For me, it’s the closest thing to flying.
Photo: Courtesy of Alice Tate.
Charlie Brown, 29, Executive Assistant
Have you always been a runner? No, I actually only started running about three years ago. I wanted to get headspace and get fit whilst doing it.
Morning or evening runner? I started off as a very strict "evening only" runner and now I am the complete opposite; it is not unheard of for my alarm to go off at 5.15am to squeeze the miles in before work.
What's the longest run/ hardest challenge you've done? It was not the longest run I’ve done but I completed my first half Ironman this year and that has definitely been my hardest challenge to date but certainly the most rewarding. Running a half marathon after a 1.2 mile swim and a 56 mile bike is… interesting.
What is it about long-distance, endurance running that you love? I love that you can just get lost in your thoughts. The beauty of longer runs is that you can go at a steady pace and just relax, forgetting about everything else that's going and just think about putting one foot in front of the other, seeing where it will take you.
What do you eat before a long run? I know it's a cliché but oats. I‘ve tried everything from bagels, to smoothies, to pancakes but my fool-proof pre-long run food is oats, water, frozen berries and a sprinkle of granola on top.
What's the one thing you tell yourself when you really want to stop? That I have experienced harder things in the past and if I got through that, I can get through this.
Three tracks from your running playlist? It’s a pretty random mix…
Tough Love - "So Freakin' Tight"
Beyonce - "Upgrade You"
Shy Fx.&.T-Power - "Shake Your Body"
What trainers do you run in? I dabble depending on the kind of runs I'm doing but mainly Nike Lunar Glides – helps that the colour ways are all AMAZING.
Best thing about running? The people and community it has introduced me to.
Photo: Courtesy of Alice Tate.
Sorrell Walsh, 26, Copywriter
Have you always been a runner? I started running about five years ago in my last year of university. Inspired by my brother and his attempts at a marathon medal I signed up to a 20 mile race a few months after. Me and my Lycra haven’t really looked back since.
Morning or evening runner? Both (needs must), though morning running is my absolute favourite. Especially if it falls near sunrise and there’s plenty of breakfast and coffee to follow. The best thing about morning runs are facing the day already knowing that you’ve achieved something more worthwhile than a snooze.
What's the longest run you've done? Race to the Stones 100K. The first time I did it, it was more the mental hardship than the physical. Waves of 'can't’ come over you when you feel low and then you eat something, take some water, pick yourself back up and go again.
What is it about long-distance, endurance running that you love? It directly relates to life. If I struggle on a long run and get over it, I know I can do the same on an everyday level too. Not really knowing where my limits lie and pushing these is something that really interests me too. I’m also pretty stubborn so I think naturally it sits well.
What do you eat before a long run? Not so exotic but good old porridge. I give it some flavour with a generous heap of cocoa powder, nut butter, almonds, maybe a banana.
What's the one thing you tell yourself when you really want to stop? I usually visualise when I’m in a race and apply the same feeling. Knowing that these hard moments are what will get me there usually keeps me going. That being said, I think it’s important to listen to your body and know when slogging it out isn’t necessarily a benefit.
Three tracks from your running playlist?
Moderat – "Intruder"
Young Fathers – "GET UP"
Fleetwood Mac – "Go Your Own Way"
What trainers do you run in? Nike Zoom Elite 8
Best thing about running? Balance. Exploring. A happy head.
Photo: Courtesy of Alice Tate.
Lucy Wertheim, 27, Head of New Business and Marketing
Have you always been a runner? I started running about four years ago. I’ve always been pretty active but running is relatively new.
Morning or evening runner? Morning. There’s nothing like the fresh morning air to kickstart the day. Plus it means less tourists in central London...
What's the longest run you've done? My longest run was a marathon. I wouldn't say it was the hardest challenge though. I think that's still to come...
What is it about long-distance, endurance running that you love? Not only is it an amazing sense of achievement, but the time gives you the chance to truly switch off. For me, when I run, it's the only time my brain actually stops ticking. I can shut off, listen to my music and just run.
What do you eat before a long run? A good breakfast is key. I swear by an enormous bowl of porridge with blueberries.
What's the one thing you tell yourself when you really want to stop? I never really give myself an option. I plan a route and make sure I have enough time to complete it, so there's literally no excuse.
Three tracks from your running playlist? I listen to a really random selection of tunes on a playlist created by someone I don't even know very well for a marathon he did a few years ago. It means I can completely zone out and I'm not waiting for my fave track to come on! I’ll never forget the song "Nice Weather For Ducks" by Lemon Jelly that came on at mile 15 of my first marathon. The most ridiculous song EVER, made me laugh out loud. Definitely a good distraction for four minutes and totally unexpected.
What trainers do you run in? I train in the ugliest, clumpiest, heaviest, most hideous pair of Asics (to avoid a nasty recurring shin injury), but I race in super light Nike race shoes (the pair that the Olympic athletes were wearing in Rio. If they're good enough for Jessica Ennis-Hill, I guess they're good enough for me!!)
Best thing about running? Keeps me sane, gives me a focus and makes me happy!
Photo: Courtesy of Alice Tate.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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