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.
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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.
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