Athlete Profile - Di Jobson

Age:   38   (2008)

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Hobbies / interests?

Mountain biking, climbing, canoeing (well I used to), hill walking, swimming, skiing (once a year), bell-ringing, beekeeping, arty stuff like card making, gardening (enough to make it look reasonable)

I never seem to get enough time to do half the stuff I want to as work just gets in the way. I'd also like a bigger garden to keep hens.
 

Heroes / heroines?

Anyone who runs faster than me.
 

When did you start running and why?

Age 14 I did a half marathon at Stockton / Thornaby racecourse (now Teesside Park) and also did a couple of 10k runs in 1985 (age 15) and then not much after that until I competed in the Great North Run quite a few times in the mid 1990's, but I never really did any training for it.

Around 4 years ago started doing a bit more running and was persuaded to join the club. This was a bit daunting at first as I always thought only really good runners were in clubs.

Why did I start? - in order to be able to eat lots of cake and chocolate
 

What is the current status of your running?

Slow and not far enough for the 2008 London Marathon (why did I enter again?)

(I wrote the above before the 13th April, I can now say that I did complete the London Marathon once again and I was extremely surprised given the complete lack of long distance training runs to knock 13 mins off my pb!)

 

Personal best performances (distance / time / position / date)

My proudest moment was finishing the London Marathon in April 2007, my first marathon, in a time quicker than I expected at 3:33. I actually quite enjoyed it too.

I have just completed London 2008 in a time of 3:20 and managed a pb split half time of 1:36.

I have no idea of other times as I don't log them.
 

Other running and sporting achievements e.g. unique events / long running sequences?

Cycling from the furthest point East in mainland Britain (Lowestoft) to the furthest point West (Ardnamurchan Point) in Scotland (north of the Isle of Mull) and then to Fort William to catch the train home. 700 miles in 9 days. Somehow stayed dry and managed to dodge heavy rainstorms and floods (June 2007).
 

Most pleasing athletic performances to-date?

London 2007 (see above)

 

Most memorable and favourite races and why?

London 2007

Winning a prize at the Maltby Road Race, which reminds me I've not spent it yet.

Anything with good views - e.g. the Beadnall to Alnmouth Race (14 miles), Derwentwater 10, some of the North York Moors races.
 

What is the toughest events you’ve done and why? Would you do them again?

The Helvellyn Triathlon. It's long, a 1 mile swim in Ullswater then 38 miles on a bike including up Kirkstone pass followed by a 9 mile run to top of Helvellyn.

No I wouldn't do it a again - memory of it not quite faded yet!

I have just ran the Redcar Half Marathon, exactly one week after the London Marathon. I started OK but after 4 miles I knew it was a very, very bad idea. No I would not do that again
 

What is the hardest weeks training you ever did?

Can't recall any. If it gets hard I'll take the shortcut and find the pub
 

What training sessions worked for you?

Lunch times at work. I work in Thirsk and have various routes, road / tracks and bridleways of various distances. Unfortunately my office closes this week and I will now be based at the back of Stockton with the delights of cycle paths and heavy trafficked roads. (N.B. It has now closed and I'm in Thornaby and really missing those lunch time runs)

I have also been training with the lads once a week. I find I have to make a real effort and push myself to stay within sight of the last person (I take binoculars)

I tend to be a bit lazy and my training is very haphazard. I go when I feel like it
 

Did you take any special supplements or take particular care with nutrition to help your health or running?

No I just eat lots of everything
 

What other types of training did you do to enhance your running?

Not sure it enhances it, but hill walking, swimming, cycling
 

What are your future running goals / aims?

To do more fell / trail events and enjoy the hills
 

Do you have any advice for other runners?

Just enjoy it.

1) London Marathon 2007
2) Appleton Wiske 10K 1985 (age 15)
3) Helvellyn Triathlon 2005
4) Biking in Dalby Forest 2008