Stubbington Green Runners & AC

What's your full embarrassing name? 

Lewis Stephen Chalk

Married, or are you young, free and single and like to mingle? 

Chasing girls! May have caught one……

Where do you live? 

Locks Heath

Do you work or stay at home? 

ICT and Business Studies Teacher at Brookfield School

How long have you been a member at Stubbington?

Since January 2009, Stubby 10k got me hooked!

Can you remember your first race? 

I remember a race when I was 10 years old over at Fleming Park. I had a football match first over in Hedge End though so once I arrived with my friend the race route had already been removed! However they let us run round the field twice and gave us our certificate and Mars Bar! I beat my friend so I also won the race!
Then as a senior my first race was the New Forest Half Marathon in September 2008. I aimed to do it in under 90mins and managed to finish in 88mins. I was pretty happy despite it being a really hot day and also learning running socks were going to be a wise investment!

How often do you bother to go training? 

Currently 6 days a week in prep for New York Marathon. I always do Tuesday training at Locks Heath, lots of speed work on my own and the odd gym session / class. I also try to swim when I can and at the weekends my schedule consists of either races or distance runs.

What is your favourite training run? 

Tempo running sessions around Chilling Field or running over to Hedge End where I used to live. But when it’s cold and wet I prefer running in the gym!

What was your best ever race? 

I have enjoyed them all so far! I really enjoyed the Marwell 10k in March 2009, set a PB and saw wild animals so can’t be bad! I also had a great day out during the South Downs and Test Way Relay events.
In terms of a best race I guess it would have to be at Victory where I ran the 5 miles in 26mins 40seconds, a minute off my previous PB. Ran strong the whole way and even managed to wave at spectators as I entered the stadium!

And what was your worst or most embarrassing race?

2 moments come to mind – the Great South Run 2008, I was running with my mate and although we had real fun sprinting through the crowds we were in completely the wrong time band which meant instead of running 10miles we zig-zagged a route close to 11miles!
More embarrassingly however during the recent Test Way relay I slipped up once and nearly again another 2 times due to the wet conditions on the wooden footways! If I’d have kept my feet we may have come 2nd as a club?!?!? However I can hold my head up knowing I set a new record for leg 9 in the relay.

Do you have a pre-race ritual? 

Jelly babies or Haribo Starmix!

What is the best piece of gear you have bought?

Nike running socks and a Garmin watch to help clock up the marathon training

Worst piece of gear? 

Trainers off Ebay – not a good fit but luckily my dad likes them!

Why do you run when you could be sat at home watching EastEnders? 

I feel guilty watching TV as I should be marking my pupils’ work so I just run to avoid the pile sat on my desk!

What does she/he who must be obeyed think about your running? 

Rest and fuel, rest and fuel……

What is the one piece of advice you would give to any new runner? 

Enjoy it and there’s no greater satisfaction than achieving your targets so keep up the good work