A Quick Cuppa With…Jill

Jill is 44 and from North Shields, Tyne and Wear. She is a Business Development Director and married with two children – Alix who is 15 and Archie who is 9. She runs for fitness and to aid her asthma.

How long have you been running and why did you start?

I starting running again 5 years ago after a 25 year break. I used to run a lot as teenager and managed to reach county level.

How often do you run?

Not often enough! Usually about twice a week, but on a good week, perhaps three times.

What do you listen to when you are running?

I am a real fan of 80’s cheese and anything with a strong beat. I have tried slower stuff and classical but I find my pace slows too much. The advantage of listening to music whilst I run is that it drowns out my asthmatic wheezing!

How do you stay focused and disciplined?

I am a big fan of entering races and they keep me focused – I will attempt anything from Parkruns to marathons. I figure that on a Sunday morning I am rarely going to wake up and think, ‘today I am going to go out and run 26.2 miles’ – it just isn’t going to happen unless I’ve entered, paid my money and have a number there waiting for me. Although I never train enough, it gets me out of bed!

Other than running what else do you do to keep fit?

Lots of walking and cycling – we gave up our car over 3 years ago and it was the best thing we did for our health and fitness as a family – we all run.

What is your favourite place to run?

I am very lucky that I only live a mile from the beautiful Northumberland coast and so it is my favourite place to run, alongside the river Tyne and the quayside. I am very proud to live in an area that has lots of races and events and was voted the most runner-friendly location in the UK recently.

How long have you been a member of Running4Women?

I am now in my 5th year as a member. I love being part of the club (and I always wear my club vest at races) and I feel great satisfaction uploading my activities and photos, and taking part in the challenges.

What are your goals for the coming year?

My goals are endless and seem to shift by the day, but today it is to complete my 6th marathon in October, to beat my Great North Run time and to get under the hour in a 10K. The last one seems elusive at the minute!

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