Member profile - Eloise Smith

Happy bank holiday Monday.

Another Monday means another brilliant profile.

This week it’s none other than Eloise Smith.

💚💚💚

1. Please Briefly introduce yourself.

Hi! I’m Eloise and have been part of BRC since 2019 when I moved to Brentwood. I am a qualified PT (@EloiseFitness) and running coach and got the bug for running in 2019 when I realised how much it was benefitting my physical and mental health.

2. What events if any do you have coming up?

I have a Good For Age place in the London marathon in October but I’m expecting my first baby in August - so events are on hold for now!

3. What does running mean to you?

It’s a cliche - but running saved me! I started running after my Dad died in 2011 and I was struggling with depression and anxiety. It became part of coping with grief; something consistent to focus on, something to get me up and outside, and something to be proud of. Since then it’s become a way of life, and helped me realise that my body and mind is capable of more than I ever imagined. The running community are also the most welcoming group of people, and joining a club helped me overcome some social anxiety, meet new people and make new friends. It’s also a passion which I love to help others find meaning in too.

4. What is your best BRC memory?

I really loved my first cross country season in 2019 - running as part of such a supportive team and really pushing myself in something totally new was a huge amount of fun (although I remember very painful at the time - cross country is brutal!)

5. Proudest running moment?

Crossing the line in my first ever marathon - the London Marathon in 2014. I ran for charity in memory of my Dad and it meant so much to finish feeling strong and achieve a Good For Age time - I really felt like he was there with me on the final stretch down the mall! There’s really no finish line like it. And I’ve since gone on to do about 16 other marathons (but sadly never felt as good as I felt during that first one!)

6. Best bit of running advice you could give or have been given.

It’s simple advice - run your own race. Don’t compare yourself, your training, your body, or your goals to anyone else. I’ve fallen into this trap so many times, but if you just focus on what works for you the enjoyment and results will come.

Member profile

A special spontaneous mid week version of the member profile today.

💚💚💚

BRC’s Grainne Hallahan is sadly moving away.

@heymrshallahan

She is only moving up the A12 and we will no doubt see her at cross country.

From all of us here at BRC we wish you all the best for the future.

Don’t be a stranger, remember once a BRC member, always a member.

.

Here is her lovely and poignant profile.

.

1. Please Briefly introduce yourself.

I’m Grainne Hallahan and I’ve been a member of Brentwood Run Club since October 2018!

2. What events if any do you have coming up?

I’m doing the Brainathlon and running 15 miles over the week. And I’m also very excited about the return of Parkrun!

3. What does running mean to you?

I never even liked running! I would always joke that I would only run if I was being chased.

But, my friend Gemma was training for the marathon, so I went along to a Parkrun to run it with her for solidarity, and I just got the running bug too.

I swapped gym classes for running outdoors and just totally fell in love with the simplicity of being able to run outdoors, in the fresh air, and it felt amazing.

I loved being able to join Gemma for Parkruns, and she inspired me to keep running.

Sadly Gemma passed away in December 2018 from a brain tumour. I feel as if by continuing my running,

I’m keeping a special part of our friendship with me.

4. What is your best BRC memory?

My first cross country! It was a brilliant experience and I loved feeling part of a team and enjoyed the competitive part of it too.

5. Proudest running moment?

Getting my Brentwood Parkrun PB thanks to Vicky pacing me 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 she was an absolute star and it felt amazing.

6. Best bit of running advice you could give or have been given.

I wish I could say something really philosophical- but the best advice I’ve ever had is from Vicky and it was to imagine you’re pulling a rope to help you up the hills! It sounds silly but it works!

Once again, we wish you all the best for you and your family in the future and hope to see you again soon.

💚💚💚

WE ARE BACK

WE ARE BACK!

Hopefully everyone has received an email from Steve Birkett regarding our return to running.

The following is what we are currently as of today allowed to do.

For us to be able to run legally and safely the following has to be adhered to:

* run in groups of 6 (has to include a run leader)

* each runner has had to have filled their covid waiver and sent it back to club Secretary Ken ken40eve@talktalk.net

* be a current club member

* adhere to Social distancing

* pre book their club run with their respective group leader (done via WhatsApp)

* each group of 6 meets in a different location.

* don’t run if you have symptoms or are feeling unwell.

If anyone needs any new information please contact us or comment on here.

New member enquiries. Please email stev.birkett@gmail.com

We welcome new members, but due to covid rules you have got to be a club member to run with us and we can only run as many groups as we have qualified run leaders available.

However our membership is massively reduced currently.

Come May we can hopefully run in larger groups of up to 30 and more groups, which should be a game changer and almost a return to normality.

The Groups operating on a Wednesday will be:

· A group – 2 groups of 6, Terry Allen in charge. Sub 7 minute mile pace

· B Group – 2 groups of 6, Phil and Ben taking those out. Ben’s availability will depend on his shifts but he is ok this week. 7:30 – 8:15 pace

· C Group – 2 groups of 6, Chris and Mary taking those out. Only one group this week as Chris is not available until next week. 8:15 – 9:00 pace

· E Group – One group of 6 at present with Paul James in charge. About 10:00 pace

Phil Olson will also be taking out a Friday night Hills group, funnily enough on Friday

Lastly, remember we may be inspected by the covid police. So we have to be hot on our rules and regs.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.

💚💚💚