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Helen’s History of Runmoor

Runmoor was inspired in 2010 when I was looking for something to replace my previously entitled blog called irun which was far to apple related, I only do oranges not apples. Runmoor came about because I live on the edge of the moors and I run. It made sense to call this running site as said: Runmoor. So there was Runmoor – born in 2010 and Made in Sheffield.

I started running in 2006 when I first took part in the Nike Run London series, a selection of 5km’s around the parks of the capital to get people like me running. My first 5km after 3 weeks of January ‘training’ (involving 10 minutes running around Clapham Junction – nice!) clocked me in at nearly 28 minutes in Regents Park. From there onwards I got times of around 25 minutes in Finsbury Park and Victoria Park. The grande finale was a 10km in Hyde Park where I clocked up a near to 48 minutes.

The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to startJohn Bingham

After a year off travelling I returned to Sheffield to run, run, and run. I first started running around the picturesque Dam Flask; Bradfield, and participated in the first Great Yorkshire Run in Sheffield, clocking over 50 minutes.

From there on I continued with my running, entering more races and increasing my distance in training and training with friends.

The answer to the big questions in running is the same as the answer to the big questions in life: do the best with what you’ve got.
Anonymous

My favourite run’s vary from the amazing Great North Run in Newcastle to a home territory race in Sheffield, Percy Pud which goes around Dam Flask where I began my Sheffield running journey.

In 2010 I undertook two Triathlons, my first locally at Rother Valley Country Park, a women’s only Sprint where I came 2nd out of over 100 females. I then participated in the London Triathlon later that year after training with Sheffield Tri Club for open water swimming.

In 2012 I did 2 ultras. My first at Dukeries – Sherwood Forest and Beyond – the hottest day of the year with temperatures in their 30s, I came in at 5 hrs 7 mins for 32 miles including chatting at CPs and getting lost. The day after I ran the Sheffield Half Marathon in matching conditions and came in under 1 hr 40 mins. A month or so later I ran 70 miles around the Isle of Wight – 40 miles the first day and 30 the second. My biggest challenge ever. I was a respectable 4th female.

I then did a sub 1.30 half marathon in October 2012 which qualified me for London even though I wasn’t even bothered about London. Hey hoo these things happen without trying!

I am now training once a week with Sheffield Running Club, a lovely and very friendly running club where I instantly feel welcomed.

The Running Bug

It’s hard to explain to someone what the running bug is if you haven’t caught it. It’s the feeling of freedom, the feeling of exceeding limits, the feeling of being with friends, the feeling of endorphines, the feeling of pure adrenaline, the feeling of mass participation at the same time of feeling the freedom of solidarity.

I always have a goal to do something. That way I keep running. It’s an addiction to winning. But it’s also an addiction to run – it is like a drug. If I’m not sweating I don’t feel goodHaile Gebrselassie

I work for the Youth Hostel Association as a Business Systems Specialist – all things YHAy and geeky.