Louise Poole: Runner and HR manager

I'm excited to introduce you to Louise, she's a lovely HR manager and she sent me so many pretty photos of where she runs I think I actually breathed fresh air through my computer screen.  Look at her beautiful running route... how can you not want to get your trainers on and go running?  

1. I started running about 7 years ago after I met my husband (then boyfriend) and discovered he ran.  My first run was 11 minutes long and I nearly died I was so unfit.

2. I run because it makes me feel happy and good about myself and I get to feed my massive appetite without feeling too guilty.  I have always ran in Asics but have just bought a pair of New Balance trainers – still not sure I like them as much but I’m persevering with them!

3. The last run I did was yesterday morning before work and I ran 6k.  It was great because it was such a beautiful morning & I was just pleased to be running, but hard because I’ve not been able to run properly over the last couple of months due to an injury and I felt tired and unfit.

4. My current fave bit of kit is my new running tights.  It was my reward for being able to run again so I bought 3 new pairs.  I even purchased my first pair of patterned leggings and I love them!  

5. I'm training for the Great North Run in September and the Glasgow Half Marathon in October.  I’m praying that I actually make it to the start line with these two! 

6. Running makes me feel alive whenever I’m out, and especially when I return to it after being injured.  I just feel lucky that I’m able to run and that it’s so simple to stick on your trainers and end up somewhere you wouldn’t have done if you hadn’t been running.  

7. I never run to music, I just get carried away with my own thoughts and surroundings.  It’s funny as I’m someone who can get bored easily but I never ever get bored when out running – even on longer runs.

8. I participate in Penicuik Harriers and it has helped me improve my 5k & 10k times.  It will hopefully help me get a pb in my half marathon time this year as well!

9. I started eating porridge this year after spending years moaning about not liking the texture.  I’m not sure that it helps me with my running but I’ve become addicted.  Porridge with banana and cinnamon is the best.  

10. I'm currently obsessed with reading running blogs online!  It makes me excited about running and I really enjoy reading about people’s running achievements/goals etc.

11. I'm bringing trail running to this blog, and throwing it down on the table.  I've just discovered it and it's brought a new found passion for running.  I just need to find some more trails close to where I live so I can make use of my new trail trainers!

12. I'm currently having issues with lots of things!  My calves are much tighter since I’ve been back out running and I’m a bit worried it’s the new trainers not agreeing with me.  I’m also working on my nerve pain.  

13. Finally, here's my inspirational quote:

If you want more of Louise's green run updates, find her on twitter! 

Sarah Marsden: Runner and serious about an S Club Party

Did you hear that? Someone just ran past with some serious tunes blasting on their headphones.  I think it was Sarah, putting all the other students to shame with her awesomely witty running enthusiasm, and claiming to be obsessed with porridge and 'scampering around Leeds encased in Lycra.'

Hi, I'm Sarah and I write over at Goldilocks Runs- on my blog I get to share things I'm learning about running, silly stories and quite unflattering pictures of me trudging around cross country in the snow. I've currently had to shelve my plans for Brighton being my first marathon in April, so am focused on getting fit and strong to make my debut at York marathon in October.

When I'm not running, wearing Lycra and procrastinating or blogging about it, I'm learning to be a doctor at medical school in Leeds, which I find requires similar attributes to running- the ability to blag knowing what you're doing, fuel whenever the opportunity arises and wilfully ignore that you've needed a wee for hours now! When I'm not in serious student doctor mode, I can be found beer racing with my university's cross country club or baking industrial quantities of my beloved banana cake. 

1. I started running a year ago, and it's got me fit, kept me sane through the demands of medical school and given me a newfound love of porridge, early mornings and mud.

2. I run because I enjoy it, and lack the hand-eye coordination to play any other sports. At the moment, I wear a pair of Brooks Ravenna 3's when I'm not running barefoot in the pool wearing the flotation belt of doom.

3. The last run I did was on Sunday and I ran a grand total of 2.5K on the treadmill. It was shoddy and painful because I am nursing a very reluctant right hip and trying to persuade it running IS possible.

4. My current favourite bit of kit is my foam roller- although I swear loudly at it and kick it whenever I walk past, I think it's doing my muscles some good and helping my mystery hip injury.

5. I'm eyeing up the York marathon in the autumn, for when my hip is hopefully fixed- I'm glad now that I entered on a whim after a bottle of wine...

6. Running made me feel alive the first time I pushed past the tiredness and exhaustion and experienced my first elusive 'runner's high', where my brain and legs no longer felt connected and I felt like I was flying (inwardly. Outwardly I probably still looked in pain, sweaty and like a tomato in a blonde wig).

7. When I'm in the gym, I'm currently listening to a lot of 90's pop- think Spice Girls, Blue and S Club 7. It makes me forget that I've been on the exercise bike/elliptical for what feels like a lifetime. Side effects include minor bopping and accidentally singing along- though I call anyone who wasn't cheered up by my rendition of 'Wannabe' a fibber.

8. I participate in my local parkrun on Saturday mornings when I'm not injured or hungover, and it has helped me get out of bed on a Saturday morning, meet new people and race 5K without the faff of race entries or travel. You can find out more at www.parkrun.org.uk. I also participate in my uni's cross country club, but unless you are a) a student b) have a penchant for yellow clothing and c) enjoy drinking pints of bitter whilst people shout 'eat it!' at you, I'll leave that one there...

9. I started eating more breakfast before my long runs, like a bowl of porridge and some toast, and found it gave me much more energy- I'd recommend it! I wouldn't recommend eating pizza to cure your hangover and then almost immediately going out for a run- Leeds has surprisingly few litter bins and hedges when you're feeling queasy.

10. I'm currently obsessed with training plans. Whilst I'm injured I'm reading them until my eyes go blurry and it's rebooting my enthusiasm for when I can finally run properly again- I want to do ALLLLL the sessions!

11. I'm bringing Body Pump classes to this blog, and throwing them down on the table. They're fun, more female-friendly than the weights room full of hulking meatheads and protein shakes, and are making me feel stronger and generally more awesome.

12. I'm currently having issues with my right hip, which is producing some very annoying pain and some very alarming crunching- can anyone offer any suggestions beyond 'see a physio' and 'learn to like swimming'?

13. Finally, here's my inspirational quote. It gets me going. Now, go run!

Catch Goldilocks on twitter, her blog and at the Yorkshire marathon in the Autumn!