Me!Me!Me! Footprint of a Runner

Sophie Harrison

Sophie started running ‘regularly’ in august 2019 and has two daughters aged 15 and 20. "Neither of them run and I bore them with all my talk about running!" :)
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What is the best thing about living in Derbyshire?
I love the beautiful views from home and the fact I can walk straight out my front door and be in the countryside. Also it’s great that I have a lot of family close by.

Why do you like to run?
Due to disability running is the only sport that I can confidently do without exacerbating it, running has also helped me cope with many life stresses, there is a quote that comes to mind,
‘On good days run hard, on bad days run as long as you need’

Favourite meal?
I usually end up ordering a cheeseburger with sweet potato fries when I go out to eat, so maybe it’s that. Or it could be that I try to stick to more healthy meals at home!

Stiff drink or herbal tea?
Both! I have in the last few years cut down on alcohol and I do try to stick to a healthy lifestyle as I’m passionate about my running, but not with a hangover!

How long have you been a member of MAC? Has the club helped your running? I’ve only been a member of MAC for the last year so I’m still a bit of a newbie, I have to say the support and encouragement I have received from everyone in the club has been incredible! Even though I joined in the midst of the pandemic and lockdowns I thoroughly felt part of a great team. I really enjoyed all the virtual challenges, and the running groups of 6 people was a great way for me to get to know other members.
Being a member of MAC has introduced me to the world of racing, and also discovered my love of fell running.

Some stats-PBs
The Manchester half went well on Sunday. I came in at 1 hr 50 min 35 sec which im very pleased with as i had some time off training due to illness.
5K- 24.02
10K- 48.53

Do you have a burning ambition yet to be fulfilled?
I am currently training for my first marathon on 21st November, and hoping to raise some money for UNICEF too.

Has the pandemic made you think about changes to your life?
I think the pandemic has made me appreciate where I live more, i really don’t know how I would have coped been locked down in a city with no outside space

Other interests?
I play the clarinet, I achieved grade 8 in 2008 and play regularly with a local wind band (always looking for new members if there are any musicians out there!)

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
My idea of bliss would be going off in a campervan exploring the lakes and highlands running and walking. I love the sense of freedom getting lost in the middle of nowhere gives me!

If you had 3 wishes what would they be?
My own campervan, that’s it!

What is the trait you most admire in people and also detest?
I admire people who are disciplined and stick to plans i.e. running training plans, wish i was more like this, instead I throw myself in, doing too much too soon and end up exhausted and/or injured!
I get really annoyed when a person is repeatedly late, I mean all the time!!!

What has been your most rewarding running challenge?
Probably my introduction to fell races this year, giving me the opportunity to explore more of the local area. Also facing my fears, after doing a recce of the Salt Cellar fell race I was really scared of the actual race and nearly dropped out, but after talking it over with other MAC members I faced my fears and did it, and without falling off a cliff and injuring myself.

Who/what has been your biggest influence/inspiration?
A nurse who I regularly had contact with as a patient, she motivated me to put my trainers on, and went running with me even when my body and mind were screaming that i couldn’t do it. She never ever gave up on me and kept saying that I would feel much better after a run and she was always right! We still keep in touch now and I share all my running achievements with her.
And Mike Blair for giving me the confidence and encouragement to join a running group as i never thought i was a good enough runner to join a group

What are you most proud of in your life?
It has to be my daughters, they haven’t had the easiest of times growing up when I have been ill, but they have grown up to be beautiful, intelligent and caring young women both inside and out. So I must have done something right!

Tell us something about yourself which may surprise us?
I only started running ‘regularly’ in august 2019, before that it would be just an occasional thing in the local area.
Running was part of my rehabilitation after illness and coming out of hospital.
I truly believe running keeps me well, if i find i can’t run due to illness or injury i really struggle.
My love of running also motivated me to lose 4 stone in weight, I have since put a little weight back on as I discovered that for me being at too low a weight negatively affects my strength.

Favourite book?
During the pandemic I’ve read a lot of Lucinda Riley novels. They are fiction but entwined with real events and people in history.

Do you have any idea which MAC could incorporate to improve the club?
I think MAC is a fab club and couldn’t ask for more!

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