 |
| What's your full embarrassing name? |
Christine Haskell |
| Married, or are you young, free and single and like to mingle? |
Been married to the same old guy for the last 33 years – old fashioned, I know, but true. |
| Where do you live? |
Sarisbury Green |
| Do you work or stay at home? |
Having just thrown in the towel after going out to work for most of my married life, I now seem to be staying at home and working. |
| How long have you been a member at Stubbington? |
Three, possibly four years. |
| Can you remember your first race? |
An RR10 at Manor Farm. I had just completed a beginner’s course with the Southampton Running Sisters and they thought I might enjoy it. I’ve never looked back and it was great to do the same series again this year as a ‘Stubbie’ |
| How often do you bother to go training? |
I run with the club on Monday and Wednesdays. I also try to fit in a long run (10+ miles) at weekends. Since giving up my job, I have taken up badminton again (ouch, I found long, lost muscles!) and I am planning to do some alternative forms of exercise which I hope will improve my running. |
| What is your favourite training run? |
Early in the morning from home to Bursledon and then down along the River Hamble to Warsash, along the coastal path to Titchfield. It must surely feature in Runners World’s ‘Rave Run’ one day - how about it Mike?? |
| What was your best ever race? |
1hr 21mins at the Great South Run two years ago. |
| And what was your worst or most embarrassing race? |
Last year's Lordshill 10 when I ran as the sole representative for Stubbie ladies. I had the most horrendous throat bug and my legs seized up in the last two miles. That taught me a lesson – listen to your body, never run unless fully fit. |
| Do you have a pre-race ritual? |
I always cook the same pasta dish for supper the night before a major race. I then pack my bag and pin my number on my vest and get an early night. I always get up 90 minutes before I set out for the race so I can have my porridge and get to the race at least an hour before the start!! |
| What is the best piece of gear you have bought? |
My Polar watch and heart rate monitor. I’d be lost without it and the GPS is running a close second too. Although most of my running partners would say it was my beer mat bar towel – great for the drippy noses, eh girls?! |
| Worst piece of gear? |
Most of the T-shirts I have received as prizes. They are always miles too big and really only suitable for wearing in the garden or for decorating!! |
| Why do you run when you could be sat at home watching EastEnders? |
Enders doesn’t get my endorphins pumping like an hour on the streets!! |
| What does she/he who must be obeyed think about your running? |
Thankfully very supportive and he only wishes he could do it too - but I don’t think the orthopaedic surgeon would be too pleased if he did. |
| What is the one piece of advice you would give to any new runner? |
Join a club. It’s great for keeping you motivated. There is always someone to run with and someone to get free advice from. |