Member profile- Lisa James

Member profile time.

This week our spotlight turns its shine on Lisa James.

Fresh from smashing the North downs 30 last Sunday.

Here’s what she had to say.

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1. Please Briefly introduce yourself.

Hi I’m Lisa James. I have been a member of BRC for a few years now. I usually run with Diane Fairchild and a few willing others on a Sunday morning. I also run with Keith Thornton and the Merrymeade ladies on a Monday.

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

I have the North Downs 18 mile run this Sunday and I have a place in the London Marathon this October for SFH if it happens!

3. What does running mean to you?

Running has been a huge part of my life. It helped me through some really tough times when I lost my brother. It kept me sane during lockdown. I have met lots of fantastic positive people through running and achieved things I never thought possible (thanks Keith for your help with this).

4. What is your best BRC memory?

I think it has to be the camaraderie of the team BRC Cross Country runs.

Everyone from the club of all different levels running and supporting each other in the coldest (Cambridge), muddiest (Writtle), hilliest (Hadleigh Park) wettest (Hadleigh Park) conditions ever!

Running through a field of cow poo in Writtle is also up there! As well as completing the Grizzly with Diane which was just the most fun!

5. Proudest running moment?

It has to be completing my first London Marathon ever in 2018 in the hottest conditions they have ever experienced- I know how to pick them! The support at the 10-mile water station and at the end of the race was amazing from everyone at BRC.

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

Get together regularly with a group of runners. For me having running buddies helps keep me motivated, I always feel happier and more positive after a run with them. When you’re socially and emotionally invested in your runs it’s harder to skip them.

Member profile - Peter Tree

Member spotlight.

This week we highlight the encyclopaedia of footpaths and trails, Peter Tree.

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1. Please Briefly introduce yourself.

I've been running regularly with the club since January 1989, taking a group on a Wednesday for several years and currently serving my second stint as Treasurer ( though this is due more to the Chairman's skills of persuasion than any great altruistic intent on my part ). I've completed 9 London Marathons - I've run at least one in my 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.

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

I'm looking forward to the resumption of parkrun and the opportunity to wear my 100 parkruns T-shirt for the first time!

I completed 100 parkruns just before parkrun closed down last year. Curiously my last parkrun was in New Zealand.

3. What does running mean to you?

I think for me it's had a very positive effect on both my physical and emotional wellbeing. Fortunately apart from a few niggles ,I've been relatively injury free and so able to run on a regular basis for over 30 years.

It's great to run in a group but I'm content to do long runs on my own as well. I particularly enjoy the off road routes we used to do from the Brentwood Centre during the summer months and the opportunity to run in different surroundings if I'm away anywhere, either in the UK or abroad.

Running has wide appeal and I'm always impressed by those who maybe aren't ' natural' runners in the conventional sense but put in a fantastic effort to take part.

4. What is your best BRC memory?

The camaraderie on the coach to the start of the London Marathon is unique, it's like heading to your own personal cup final.

Warm Wednesday evenings running through the local countryside from the Brentwood Centre are also a pleasure.

5. Proudest running moment?

At risk of being repetitive, completing my first marathon in 1990 would be up there and also my last in 2015, which went remarkably according to plan. It always feels special when my daughter and granddaughters join parkrun and I have a niece and nephew who are also regular runners.

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

Enjoy it as much as you can and don't worry too much about times, distance etc, especially as you get older! ( though individual targets can be a great motivator and I do remember my pbs!)

Also, if you can, it's well worth using a physio to sort minor niggles and be cautious about trying to ' run it off ' - advice from the legendary Alan Shirley many years ago

Member profile - Paul James

Member profile alert 🚨

As Wales beat Turkey today it’s only fitting that the focus falls on our token Welshman Paul James Tiling.

1. Please introduce yourself.

Paul James I've been living in Brentwood for 23yrs having moved from Wales and joined BRC or trotters as it was known then about 13yrs ago.

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

No events scheduled, just glad to be out running the streets, having had one or two injuries.

3. What does running mean to you?

Running is a way of unwinding and having a chat with fellow runners.

4. What is your best BRC memory?

My best BRC memory is running leg nine of the Essex way having been in Hong Kong for three weeks, and being told I was running for A team.

I went out faster than I would normally and my lace became undone. The bloke behind kept telling me it was undone but I told him I didn't want him overtaking me.

He said he would wait, and he did.

Then we carried on racing, plus I got in before him.

Jonny Barker was asking in the pub afterwards who the hell was running leg nine, they only came in 19th, nearly killed me!

5. What is your proudest running moment?

getting over the finishing line at the London marathon after a few injuries.

I ran with a friend and we helped eachother around.

6. What is the best bit of running advice you can give or have been given?

Best bit of advice I could give is; listen to your body as those little niggles become long term injuries and enjoy the battle's with yourself to get the PB.