My name is James, and I’m a 31 year old Londoner. I started running at the beginning of 2012 after it became apparent my ageing body would no longer allow me to eat and drink as I pleased without consequences. Waist expanding consequences. The alternative of giving up “bad” food and drink was unthinkable.
I’ve never been a huge fan of sport and exercise but much to the surprise of everyone who knows me, not least myself, I found I really enjoyed running. After working through the C25K programme with the help of Get Running, I kept up my training and set my sights towards the Royal Parks Half Marathon. I ran this in 1:45:15, a time I was very pleased with as a beginner in the running world.
After a disappointing 2013 filled with injury I had a much better 2014, recording a time of 1:35:44 in the Royal Parks Half and bringing my 10K time down to 42:54. In 2015 I ran my first marathon at Brighton in a time of 3:33:42, and spent the rest of the year improving my PBs to 18:47 at 5K, 39:34 at 10K, and 91:34 at half marathon.
In 2016 I will be running the Brighton Marathon again, as well an autumn marathon in Frankfurt, with a view to obtaining a “good for age” time for entry to the London Marathon. A tough challenge, but one I am looking forward to working towards.
You can see all my past and forthcoming races at the races page.