Member profile- Jackie Dodwell

Extra special BRC members profile today.

💚💚💚

Today is long standing club member Jackie Dodwell’s (Woodroffe) birthday.

We couldn’t not celebrate her birthday and her as a person by highlighting her in a member profile.

Happy birthday Jackie

🎂🎂🎂🎂

1. Please Briefly introduce yourself.

My name is Jackie Dodwell ( previously Woodroffe!) I was lucky enough to get married last September.

I joined TGT in October 2004 after a friend at work suggested . I started running at age 25 but didn’t join a club until I was in my 40s

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

I don’t have any events coming up but I’m enjoying being out running and cycling in the fresh air. I’m really enjoy running off road as long as I stay upright. I’m known for taking a few tumbles😥

3. What does running mean to you?

Running keeps me sane. It has got me through the break up of my first marriage and the death of my partner Malcolm. It always makes me feel better. I’m not the fastest but that doesn’t matter .

4. What is your best BRC memory?

There are so many. I have loved being part of the team who work on the water station at the London Marathon: marshalling at club events. Bring part of the ladies cross country team and not forgetting the Christmas Parties and Hash runs

5. Proudest running moment?

Completing 2 marathons ( Paris & Barcelona) I never thought I could do it.

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

Always go back for the last runner because they are working the hardest.

Happy birthday Jackie.

If you have anyone who you think should be a member profile. Please get in touch.

💚💚💚

#teamBRC

Member profile - Lynsey Prentice

Member profile 💚💚💚

This week it is none other than.......

Lynsey “the destroyer of hills” Prentice

1. Please Briefly introduce yourself.

Hello all; my name is Lynsey and I joined the Trotters in early 2014.

I usually run in C or D groups (although I do recall getting to B one or two Wednesday nights and suffering for days!)

I have also been serving on the committee since about 2017 and as one of the two 'Social Sisters' (alongside Vicki) who have been organising social events / Christmas parties / award evenings and quiz nights for you and your other halves to attend.

We obviously missed them in 2020, but hoping that restrictions ease for us to bring back the good BRC knees ups!

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

None. If I am honest, I am not very good at races, I prefer the social training runs. BUT I can be found at lots of races on the side line supporting the Green BRC Army and usually wearing a yellow marshal vest!

I am the club's chief marshal, so it's my job to make sure the events run smoothly with regard to marshal's lining the route for obvious runner direction and safety, but also for all those well-deserved cheers and encouragement!

3. What does running mean to you?

I began running when my mum persuaded me to join, telling me I was 'not bad at it at school'... and so I did. When my mum was ill, and then when we lost her, running was my saviour. I obviously had amazing family and friends for the cuddles and the tears, but I had running to help me clear my head, and keep me sane in and in control. It has also meant I have been able to run two London marathons, Brentwood Half Marathon's, and many Royal Park Half Marathons in memory of my lovely mum and as an amazing way to raise funds in excess of £25k for charities who helped us so much - the Royal Marsden and of course, The St Francis Hospice.

4. What is your best BRC memory?

Mmmm so many, could it be Sunday morning training runs with (little) Steve and Alexa and getting lost in the Navestock countryside, could it be the Sunday morning marathon training run with Phil Olsen dressed as a chef for his World Record attempt? It could be trying to act so cool in front of (my now other half) Jar as we ran up the Ongar Road and crashing into a parked van's wing mirror (hard enough to cut my knuckle but styling it out!), could it be seeing Ken Bench outlasting all the other runners on the Christmas party dance floor, the belly laughs at the Royal Parks half with Jo Day and her famous bra. The after training beers in the café with Chris and Marc, the after marathon training Guinness breakfasts with the Steve's and Andy, could it be being up the ladder with a megaphone at the water station at the London Marathon as the designated 'Trotter Spotter' annoying everyone with 'give us a wave Dave' or maybe scrubbing the Thorndon toilets after the BRC cross country...!

So many treasured memories and smiles - thank you BRC!

5. Proudest running moment?

Crossing the line of my first London Marathon sub 4 hours (only just and mainly because Andy had caught me up and dragged me across the line) but that feeling on that medal around my neck that I'd earned, that I'd done it - after months of hard graft training I'd done it... I was blistered and sore but I'd done it and all in memory of my mum.

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

Definitely do what you enjoy, if that’s the social training runs, make sure you do plenty of those, if that’s the crazy ultra's then give them a go... just never stop enjoying it - cos when you do, that’s time to take up darts!

Remember why you run, and appreciate that you can run... run for those who can't but would love to and inspire those non-runners to start running... run hard, but run happy!

💚💚💚

Member profile - Nimo Saeed

It’s Wednesday!

That means it’s club run day.

Also it’s time for another member profile.

This week we threw some questions at BRC club legend Nimo Saeed.

Here is what he had to say.

💚💚💚💚

1 – please introduce yourself.

Nimo Saeed, I started running in 2012 similarly like why many others who start running. After experiencing a tragic loss of some kind.

We experienced such a loss in our family when my older brother passed away. He and I watched the London Marathon together and often said that we would one day run the race together; and of course being competitive I was going to beat him (even though I didn’t run but he did).

Well once he passed I decided to sign up for the London Marathon and on the first time of asking I actually got a ballot place… “Oh no what do I do now? “ No turning back now, so I joined my local running club TGT at the time and now BRC and so my journey began.

I was struck by how encouraging everyone at the club was, and from knowing very little about running over the next few months I picked up so many tips about clothing, pace, trainers and nutrition, without this support I believe the whole experience would have been very different. After some gruelling training months I managed to complete my goal and finish my first marathon and it being The London Marathon made it all the more special, I actually had my brother’s name on my shirt and with the crowd calling his name he was there with me every step of the way. It was a very emotional day.

I can confidently say that I would have stopped running had it not been for the friends I made at the club and how they invited you to get involved and be part of something more than just “Going for a Run”.

Fast forward 9 years I am pleased to have completed 5 marathons and numerous other running races at various distances.

In 2017 even though I was not able to swim more than 250m or ever ridden a road bike I decided to take on a new challenge to complete an IronMan challenge. This took me close to 2 years of solid training and in Aug 2019 I cried like a baby when I crossed the finish line at IronMan Copenhagen, an experience I will never forget.

Having picked an injury I have spent Lockdown helping a number of family and friends with Live Homebased Core workouts which have been very rewarding for me especially when you see how far some have come from.

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

I am planning to do another IronMan 70.3 as soon as this injury I picked up gets lost and I can start training again.

Until then follow Nimo on his live Instagram workouts @nimo9471.

3. What does running mean to you?

I have always loved sport, I was a club captain in a Badminton club, played tennis regularly and been horse riding for many years but I can honestly say that I have never experienced such highs as when I am running.

People think running is a solo sport but it really isn’t especially when you have friends/club members to run with. The connections you create when you help others achieve a goal or complete a distance, When your running on empty and someone drags you along with them to make sure you keep going builds a very special bond and makes you feel like you’re part of something so much bigger, I like to call it “Rumararderie” .

For me running solo through the park or forest listening to my tuuuunes and escaping life is an experience difficult to beat.

4. What is your best BRC memory?

I have so many memories that make me laugh, smile, and cry.

For me it was the first time I handed out water to runners at The London Marathon. What an amazing atmosphere, from the coach trip at 6am to the end of the day we had so much fun, playing music, making huge amounts of noise encouraging all the runners and played a key supporting role helping others finish their race.

For me this was very special.

5. Proudest running moment?

Of course completing my first ever Marathon which just happened to be The London Marathon the crowds cheering you on, my family and friends rushing around supporting me all the way was just an amazing feeling for so many reasons.

Also the marathon at the end of my IronMan was brutal as my body had started to shut down from mile 16 and I had to really dig deep to keep going, at one point I actually stopped and gave myself a good telling off before carrying on.

Completing such an event was always a bit of a pipe dream or was something others did so to actually finish such an event was a dream come true and will live for me forever. I have big thanks to BRC and my Triathlon club Tri Sport Epping.

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

I feel very lucky being part of a tight knit running family at BRC and have been given so many tips and advice some I have listened to and some I realised I should have listened to and learnt the hard way.

Best advice I can give is “Build up your distance / speed slowly and steadily don’t try and do too much too quickly as you can hurt yourself and lose the enjoyment of running, especially if you are returning from a long layoff or injury you WILL not be able to run at the same pace for a while, be patient it will come back.

Sometimes we get a bit tech mad and focus on our speed and pace too much when at times all you need to do is get your trainers on and just RUN.

Thank you Nimo.

Remember you can nominate anyone you like for a member profile.

At BRC we love to celebrate everyone.

💚💚💚