Nick Leech
If you're not sure which Harrier Nick is, he's the tall chap with the short hair accelerating into the distance.
Read on to learn what makes him so fast, and how he balances running with work, a family life, and boy band superstardom.
- 10K - 34min 45s @ Darent Valley 2009
- 10M - 56m 42 @ Hildenborough 2009
- Half Marathon - 1hr 17m 30 @ Paddock Wood 2009
- 20M - 2hr 5min 26 @ Thanet 2009 (club record!)
It's a sport you can do on your own, with the minimum of fuss. No expensive equipment. No waiting around for team mates. No need to book a court. No need for an opposition.
And it's a sport that can change your perspective on the rest of your life. Because running makes you fit, and it makes you feel good, it's something that's with you all the time, whether or not you're actually putting in the miles.
And I wasn't very good at any others! Just kidding, I am very good at every sport I try. To cover up this fact, I compete under the pseudonym 'Wayne Rooney'.
I tried my hand at Premier League football but found that I couldn't get by on the wages. I also played a lot of cricket, but gave that up because some games took up to 5 days. (Not when we were playing Australia, mind). I also needed to set aside time for the other passions in my life: needlework & jam making.
I also sail, but that doesn't really feel like a sport. You do it sitting down, so how can it be
Work, commute, pay mortgage, pay for stuff for my wife & daughter. Listen to Jimmy Somerville. Catch up with the other members of Blue.
Hildenborough 10. Due to the low number of entrants, I was able to win.
Hildenborough 10. Due to the low number of entrants, I was able to win.
Tunbridge Wells Half. What visitors don't realise is that once you've nailed Fordcombe Hill, it really is all down hill. You might have more than 4 miles to go, but you can really let go. And that catches those around you by surprise.
Don't get stuck in a routine. Running should be enjoyable, so don't feel like you 'have to do this session'. Once it stops feeling fresh, change it. And if you want to improve, all you need is a long run and a fast run each week. That's it.
Unless you're competing at the highest level, I don't think you need more than 25 or 30 miles per week
It's not about 'getting the miles in'. It's the intensity of those miles. Pushing yourself for 15 miles per week, is better than going through the motions for 40.
I am inseparable from my shorts, without which I feel unsupported.
For the last 4 weeks I've been thinking 'what the hell am I going to put in my 'Harrier of the Month' copy.
Before that, I used to think 'Why has no-one asked me to be Harrier of the Month?'.
You can't beat 8 pints of Fosters to refuel those wasted muscles. And a slice of Victoria sponge of course.
I'd love to run the London marathon again. Each time I think 'it's about time I entered the London marathon', the entries have closed.
I'd also like to do something totally epic such as the Marathon Des Sables. As my wife points out, however, I don't like sand, I don't like heat, and I don't like sand and heat in combination. So that idea is on hold.
Did you see the answer to the previous question. That qualifies for 'disaster' in my book.
OK, a more serious one: it wasn't until 2007 that I got into running, having joined TWH that summer. I got very excited about the Half Marathon in Feb, so throughout the winter I trained like never before. And I got faster, and faster, and faster. February rolled around, and the weekend before the half I went for a loosener. I got back a bit sore. And the next day I had trouble walking. I'd basically knackered my sciatic nerve. Oh the tears of frustration!
TWH is good in lots of ways.
First of all, there is a complete lack of intimidation. A lot of people - myself included - don't try out running clubs because they think they're too competitive. There is a complete absence of any aggressive competitiveness at TWH: just turn up and run and your fears will be dispelled.
Second, running at TWH makes you improve so much faster than you could do on your own. Having other people to run with, and a group who are interested in entering all the races, brings on your attitude and aptitude.
TWH also lay on some cracking races. From the bells and whistles half marathon, to the summer 10k, there's lots to choose from and lots of targets to aim for.
And lastly, who can forget the annual Ball. The picture rights for the 2010 event have already been snapped up by OK Magazine, and Jonathan Ross is presenting the awards for free, just to raise his own profile.