Your Committee

I was a late comer to sport, buying my first pair of running shoes in my 30’s and starting where most people do – the couch! I built up my running distance and completed a few half marathons before deciding I wanted to be a run leader and engage other people in running.

After qualifying as a Run Leader, I established a C25K programme, driven by a passion for getting new people into the sport. And just to make sure they stuck at it, I led the development of Prudhoe Riverside parkrun, as Event Director in 2016. In 2017 I qualified as a Coach in Run Fitness and realised a lot of my injuries were from poor running form. No one ever tells you how to run without hurting yourself, so at Plodders we do.

As a coach, my primary aim, before you even put your trainers on, is to promote self belief. As John Bingham said “If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.”

In 5 years I have progressed from the couch, to marathons, to coaching, to becoming an Ironman. I even picked up ‘Sports Personality of the Year’ at the Sport Tynedale 2017 awards. At Prudhoe Plodders we welcome anyone, from new runners, to those returning to sports. Each athlete is equally as important to us regardless of ability. And if I can do it, anyone can!

I began running in 2015. I had been inspired by a colleague who had completed the Couch 2 5k app and loved it. I didn’t tell anyone I was doing it for a few weeks. I went out armed with my app and a determination to give it a go. Surprisingly, I loved it! I discussed it with another friend and she started too. She became my greatest running buddy (never thought I’d need one of those!) and still is.
After finishing the app, I wasn’t enjoying running as much. I found it a bit aimless. We found a local sports club and headed there. Here we met Holly. She enthused us to train with them and told us all about this thing called Parkrun that she was involved in bringing to Prudhoe.
I soon became a Parkrun regular and joined Plodders when it was set up.
As a mother and a teacher, involving children was really important to me so I was delighted to become a Run Director and help set up Junior Parkrun. It was fantastic to see the children progress and get better and better. I then helped out at Junior Plodders and trained as a Coaching Assistant.
I was approached to become Welfare Officer for the club and was delighted to accept. As someone who had never been involved in sports before, it’s so important that everyone feels welcome and included. My role as Welfare Officer helps to ensure that and maintains the club as a safe place for everyone.

I first dabbled in running by completing the Couch to 5k programme in July 2016. I completed my first parkrun at Druridge Bay (Prudhoe Riverside wasn’t set up then) and because I was too worried about running with others, convinced I would be too slow, I continued to run solo for a few months after. I soon gave up when the dark winter months arrived. Running alone is not recommended by me!

Prudhoe Plodders was born and I successfully completed their C25k programme in April 2017. I graduated from there at Prudhoe Riverside parkrun and have honestly never looked back. I attend Plodders twice a week and parkrun on a Saturday morning (when family and work commitments allow) and thoroughly enjoy being a part of Plodders family. As I am such a sociable person I really enjoy chatting whilst running…..usually discussing cake, chocolate and/or gin!!! I’m also usually responsible for organising social runs for the club, which are lots of fun and all abilities are encouraged to join in. I have entered numerous runs to date, and I am also one of the Run Directors for our junior parkrun here at Prudhoe. To my astonishment, I am absolutely hooked with the running bug.

#slowandsteadywinstherace

I started my running journey in 2018 completing the couch to 5k course I then I bravely signed up to do gnr that year, after saying never again I have completed it virtually once and anther two times 🤣.

I became lirf in 2021 which I thoroughly enjoy supporting all our lovely members in training. I am also one of the club reps so any ideas concerns or criticisms drop me a message.