Name: Lorraine Devereux

Joined Redway Runners: 11 March 2014

We go on the run with our members and we find out a bit more about them – which we thought would be great to share, this time it is with Lorraine Devereux, Lorraine has been with the club for over two and a half years and not just running but helping behind the scenes.

Thanks Lorraine

19 November 2016

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CLUB

• When did you start running and when did you join Redway Runners?

I started running to complete just 1 race, a 10K for charity back in 2013. My nephew who was 6 was diagnosed Diabetic T1 & on a sunny afternoon a few weeks after diagnosis we were out at the park when Race for Life was on & he said “Auntie Rainey, do people ever run to raise money for Diabetes, I know they do for cancer?” the seed was planted – I ran the British 10K for Diabetes UK in London on my Birthday, cheered on by his little face & that’s how it all began – afterwards I thought, “hang on a minute I enjoyed that” so I am only doing 1 race led to me joining the Redway Runners in 2014 on recommendation of a friend & here I am today, still running …..

• What’s the best thing about being in a running club?

The support and friendship of so many people in all walks of life, of all abilities – the fact that even on a bad day, a good run & the company of like-minded people, can make you feel so much better

• Tell us about your first time? (with Redway Runners)

My 1^st run was actually a Sunday run I think in the Feb – I was running the Bath Half in the March & had totally lost my way and confidence.   A friend suggested I come along – I was so nervous that I would even be able to keep up for a whole 90 mins, and guess what I had nothing to worry about.  I will forever be grateful for Martin Lawrence for making me welcome that morning and telling me not to worry and also to Suzie Hall and Sam Downton who were the 1^st RR who I ran alongside & chatted to. From there on, I was bitten by the bug (oh and completed that half in 2:04, proving I could do it!)

•  When and who do you run with the club?

I usually get to 1 or 2 runs a week, work dependent. I always run on a Weds as a definite with Tom who joined the club back in April.   Tom has Asperger’s and I have been his buddy, although he is now much faster than me & leaves me for dust!

I am lucky to have got to know & run with lots of different people, I LOVE helping & running with the beginners & especially buddying at graduation parkruns – I love seeing people who never thought they could do it, actually do it ! My running bestie is Natalie Garfoot although due to work for both of us, we drink more coffee than run lately!!   Janet and Pet are 2 people through the club who I really look up to & love running with – they have helped me find my mojo when I lost it a few months ago, they picked me up when I needed it, quite literally on a number of occasions! (losing a brand new trail shoe in a muddy bog springs to mind!)

YOU

• What has been you best running achievement?

Completing the Great North Run in 2015 raising £1500 for Cancer Research

• What is your running ambition?

To complete the London Marathon in 2017.

• Why do you run?

The last 12 months more than ever has reinforced why I love to run – sadly both my Mum and Father in law are in poor health with cancer – running for me is a way of switching off just for a while – at a club run where no one knows what a bad day had & you can run & talk about other things or even just a 20 min whizz around the block, it definitely helps ….

• Favourite place to run?

This year has been a revelation for me – I am starting to enjoy trails!!! Not the hills so much though if I am honest, but definitely something I want to do more of

• Tell us about your worst run?

Probably the Tough 10K, my 1^st trail race I did just this month – should have realised the clue was in the title, the weather was horrendous, and to top it all it the fear that if I got injured somewhere in New York dominated me. Having said that, I have registered for next year – my stubbornness leads me to think I can improve on this years’ time!

 

 

• Favourite running photo and why? (please send it as well)

Me at the finish of the Great North Run 2015, I cried when the Red Arrows did a fly by!

 

 

 

 

 

• Do you always round up?

YES !!!!

• What cross training do you prefer?

I never use to cross train but since a nasty Achilles injury last year, I try to – I love spinning, try and incorporate some core and weights, not as much as I probably should!   I also tried Hotpod Yoga this year and that worked a treat on tired muscles so will be def being incorporating that into my training plan for London.

• Loop backs?

Gotta love a loop back, of course!

• Run to time or distance?

Both – depends if I am just running for pleasure or if I am following a plan

• If you don’t share your run in social media, did it happen? Where do you log your runs and do you stalk others runs?

Absolutely it happened (although every now and again I do like to share LOL !!) I do log my runs on Strava via my Garmin – I find it really useful to see how I am doing, in most cases to show how absolutely shocking I am at pacing, particularly in a race like a half marathon – this is going to be one of my biggest challenges I need to work on if I am going to complete my first marathon next year & not peak at about mile 10!!!

RACE/EVENTS

• What was your favourite race and why?

Great North Run – the atmosphere was amazing & was an emotional one for me, definite bucket list run

• Favourite race distance and why?

Half marathon – I am a definite long distance runner, even back at school I was a cross country girl more than a track girl. Half marathon is a perfect distance to feel like you have achieved a really great thing but it doesn’t interfere with your life too much

• Tell us about your pre-race rituals and food and drink

Flapjack – I am not great at fuelling the morning of a race, nerves do get to me a little, but no matter what time of day (6.30 in the morning before the Bournemouth Half), I can manage flapjack!!

• What’s your one race essential?

My watch

• Would you run a marathon without getting a medal?

Don’t be so silly – NO!!

• What would you prefer, a PB or a win?

Chances I will never win any race apart from maybe the egg and spoon race at my nephews sports day, so I will go for PB

• If you could choose anywhere in the world to run, where would it be?

New York – I fell in love with NY when I visited so to go again and run would be another bucket list moment for me.

 

 

Lorraine