Tim (right) LAMM 2006 (with Spyke) 

 

 

How did you get into running?

I started running to keep fit for other sports. I used to be into fencing and squash, but the running took over. I then started orienteering in a big way, and soon graduated to Mountain Marathons. My first KIMM was on Dartmoor in 1984, and I’ve taken part in every KIMM or OMM ever since. I’ve done the Elite class every year since Snowdonia in 1987! Its been a long time and a lot of miles. I took up fell running when I lived up in the north, and found myself doing best in the longer races. That lead me on to the ultra races – I’ve done several of the US 100 milers, and enjoy the races of the Vasque series hugely!

What is your job / life like?

I work in a very busy day school, running the Biology department as well as coordinating the Outdoor Pursuits. That means that the days are pretty intense, and I get committed to working on quite a lot of my weekends too! Most of my weekday training is done by running to and from work, which does me pretty well, though the trip home can be a struggle at times. Longer runs happen at weekends – I’ve even run all night on a school trip to get the long miles in before an ultra. All this and family life too!

What type of runner are you?

I am very definitely an off-road runner. I don’t enjoy running on tarmac, and just find it boring. My favorite runs would be in the mountains, but anywhere off road is good. In the summer I train on the coast paths in Devon and Cornwall. You can get into some really remote country like that, but the views can be fantastic, and there’s always the après-run surfing! Ultra running is great – once I get ‘in the groove’ of a long run, there’s almost nothing else I’d rather be doing, particularly if its on tough ground with some interesting navigation!

Achievements so far

The achievement that I look back on with most pleasure is coming 5th in the Hardrock, a brutally tough 100 miler set in the mountains of Colorado. I gibbed out of doing a four day walk around the course, after an exhausting two days, and thought I’d never manage the race. On the day I felt great, and after the halfway point I never looked back.
Other results :
2nd in the KIMM with Colin Valentine in 1989 and with Mike Wallis in 1995
2nd in the LAMM with Spyke 2007
A sub-20 Bob Graham
Ramsay Round (with Spkye again!)
2nd Brit in the 2006 UTMB
Though I’ve been a member of the winning team at the High Peak Marathon, the only individual race I have won was the KLETS at the Saunders Mountain Marathon!

The Vasque Series
A great series of races, and I’ve really enjoyed travelling to some new parts of the UK. The best one for me was Bruce’s Crown a couple of years ago, and the Plumlumon Race. The Marlborough is a classic route, too, and I’d really urge people to travel south for it if you can. This year has been a difficult one with work and family commitments, so it looks like I won’t finish the series, I’m sorry to say.
Other Races
I’m looking forward (?) to running in this year’s OMM with Mark Hartell, and hoping to cross the Atlantic to take on another US 100 miler next year. I was disappointed by my performance in this year’s UTMB. I felt really fit in the week leading up to the race, but got a stomach bug a few days before. With no food or water staying down, running the full distance became increasingly out of the question, and I dropped out at Courmayeur. Dammit!

Kit

I must echo what Mark said – the Thorlo socks are great on your feet, and I’ve never had a blister since I started wearing them. They last well too. The Capestorm T-shirts have been really well thought out- They do what they say they’ll do, and really wick the sweat away effectively. The long-sleeve top with the thumb-holes and extended sleeves is great in cooler weather.
I like the Vasque shoes to – very stable off road, with a good grip in most trail-running type events. The Blur particularly is great. A light, well built shoe, comfortable on the feet, with no pressure points or chafing. I’d certainly recommend them!