Member Profile - Chris Jones

What a sunny day.

To celebrate the sunshine we are giving you another epic member profile.

This week it is none other than Chris Jones.

1. Please briefly introduce yourself.

Hi my name is Chris Jones and I’m leader of Group C and one of the Friday Hills leaders I have been a member of the club since October 2012.

I always hated running at school and since school have only ever participated in team sports Cricket, Football, Basketball and also golf.

As the years have gone on I have stopped playing these sports and my fitness has dropped off and the weight piled on.

I was introduced to the club by my good friend Paul James as a good way to get fitter and hopefully to help loose weight also.

Since October 2012 I have run Snowdonia Marathon and 2 London Marathons, countless half marathons, 10 milers, 10 k’s, Essex 20, and Essex way (once only)

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

I have no events currently booked up I am awaiting for things to return to near normal before I start looking again, I would like to do a half and 10 miler in the next year, I did say that Marathons were no longer for me but I maybe tempted back when I hit 60 in 2023.

3. What does running mean to you?

Running means a healthy body and mind, over the years before I started to run I had put on weight which I have now managed to loose and I am in much better physical condition than I have been for a good while.

I have also found that running is a great switch off from issues you may have it helps to clear your head and takes you away for a while and allows you to think more clearly without distractions.

Also being part of a club and running with others I have met a lot of new friends, I cant wait for some normality to return when we can get back to running in groups again.

4. What is your best BRC memory?

Many great memories, one that immediately springs to mind was a great weekend spent in North Wales in 2014 when 4 of us were running the Snowdonia Marathon, we went in 3 cars and had supporters with us for what was a really tough race.

It was great to see the friendly faces and hear the cheers on the final part as the route came back into Llanberis.

The evening out later was pretty good too.

Another was when Vicki Calleja and Mike Turrington and myself took on Bungay Festival of Running in 2019, Mike did the Marathon, Vicki the Half and I did the Double Doggie which was the 10K followed by the Half 30 minutes later.

5. Proudest running moment?

I feel very proud seeing runners come to the club sometimes as complete beginners watch them put the effort in and work hard and improve and move up through the groups and enjoy running and the club as I do.

A good example was when I paced Kerry Mason on her second Brentwood Half to a sub 2 hour run in 2019.

On a personal note I was pleased with my Snowdonia Marathon and the Double Doggie runs as they were both tough.

6. What’s the best bit of running advice you could give or have been given?

The best bit of (running) advise is that you never regret going for a run but you can regret not going for a run, so don’t put it off you inevitably regret it later and you cant go back.

Remember if you have someone you think should have a members profile.

Get in touch.

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Member profile - Eloise Smith

Happy bank holiday Monday.

Another Monday means another brilliant profile.

This week it’s none other than Eloise Smith.

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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.

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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.

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Here is her lovely and poignant profile.

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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.

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