Euan McGrath
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What's your full embarrassing name? |
Euan Bruce McGrath, a Scot and proud of it!!! |
Married, or are you young, free and single and like to mingle? |
Married to Sally |
Where do you live? |
Warsash |
Do you work or stay at home? |
I work so Sally can go running with the dog, and I look after the kids! |
How long have you been a member at Stubbington? |
Joined March 2009 and loving it, why did I wait so long to join? |
Can you remember your first race? |
My first proper race was a half marathon off road trail race across the Pentland Hills which are just south of the beautiful city of Edinburgh. I think I was 15 and I ran it for a leukemia charity. I ran it with two other school friends. We finished together in 1hrs 20 min. I loved it! I think that is when I realised running more than 5 miles was not boring! |
How often do you bother to go training? |
I try and run two or three times a week. I try and make the Wednesday Stubbie session as my constant session each week, as well as a run with my dog and a long run at the weekend. I also mountain bike every Tuesday evening through the year on the South Down’s as well as try and swim a couple of times a week if I have any energy left! |
What is your favourite training run? |
I have two runs I love; the first is from my home in Warsash to Chilling along the sea front to Meon shore then work my way home. The second is anywhere on the South Downs (or any hills) that lets you enjoy the view! |
What was your best ever race? |
It has to be the CCC® Ultra Trail in 2007. The CCC® is the shorter version of the full 100+ mile Mont Blanc Ultra Trail. The CCC® is 50 mile with 20,000ft of vertical climb from Courmayeur in Italy to Champex in Switzerland and finishing in Chamonix in France. Truly awesome experience! I finished 716th overall out of 2000 starters, and 297th in my class. Finish time was only 19hrs 30min 20 sec!!! |
And what was your worst or most embarrassing race? |
The worst race was the HRRL Overton 5 this year. I am truly embarrassed by my poor performance. My excuse was 14 days hard training to prepare for the Clarendon Marathon and no rest. Let’s just say you live and learn! |
Do you have a pre-race ritual? |
Smile, get excited, enjoy and be positive |
What is the best piece of gear you have bought? |
My Springer Spaniel ‘Elle’! She does not accept any excuses for getting out every day and my Garmin 310xt running watch. |
Worst piece of gear? |
A pair of Vasque ‘Velocity VST 7626’ ultra distance trail running shoes which I won. They are no good for me to run in but great for walking the dog! |
Why do you run when you could be sat at home watching EastEnders? |
Why watch depressing and rubbish TV when you can be out in the ‘fresh air’ pushing your body’s limits and enjoying spending time with your mates. |
What does she/he who must be obeyed think about your running? |
I presume Sally thinks it’s great. Should I ask the question or run in ignorance? |
What is the one piece of advice you would give to any new runner? |
Smile, enjoy, train & rest! Set yourself a really big and long term challenge and work your way slowly towards it. |
