Meet the runners

I first started running in 2015 when I was merely looking to lose the last of some stubborn weight I was trying to shift. 

Over the years I’d dipped into running clubs and groups, completed races but nothing stuck, I kept getting injured and not improving.

It was Summer 2019 and a friend said why not try this training group in Eastwood, so I joined Steven and his crew on a grassy hill session, I’ll never forget-that’s when I became a BERC for the first time! 

I was given a new lease of life and love for running, I was warmly welcomed by Steven who has a wealth of knowledge, encouragement and always makes you feel valued as a BERC. 

Monday night BERCs is my favourite run of the week, I’ve achieved multiple running goals and still continue to improve, always with a friendly and supportive crew behind me cheering me on. I’m proud to be a BERC and encourage anyone to give us a go, you won’t regret it.

Why do I run? 

   Why do I run, this is a question I ask myself on a regularly basis particularly if it's freezing cold or pouring down with rain but maybe first a brief background of who I am and how I got started.

   My name is Mick,  I am 58 years old.  I was not very sporty at school, not that interested in football, cricket, rugby etc. and especially running / cross country, that didn't change a lot after school to start with but rallying got my interest.  It was the early 80's and rallying had a major following then, at the age of about 20 I decided it was something I wanted to do, the thought of tearing round forests at stupid speed really appealed, I bought a car and so I spent around the next 26 years rallying.

   During this time an old school friend got me into doing a bit of karate, initially this went well with the rallying greatly improving my overall fitness but as I started courting on a regular basis there wasn't enough time for everything so the karate came to an end, I'd got to brown belt and not far off black belt but the rallying continued for quite a few years, I competed on my last rally in November 2011, then spent a number of months doing very little which brought me round to the summer of 2012 and the Olympic games held in the UK, this along with putting a bit of weight on inspired me to start doing a bit of exercise.   I got a bike and started commuting to work and back, then running round the field a bit with the dogs, to start with I could only manage running a few hundred yards but steadily improved. 

  Then came the idea I'd like to do a triathlon, having seen the banners around West Park, Long Eaton for the Erewash triathlon, a mere 400 meter swim, 20k bike and a 5k run, with the thought I can do that, Internet searches began, although I knew the distances I'd no idea how a triathlon worked, how do you go between swimming, cycling and running?  During these Internet searches I found out there was another triathlon at Kimberly earlier on in the year and Broxtowe were supporting some training classes, armed with this knowledge I started do some 'proper training', at the time I could only swim breast stroke so the early part of 2013 I started swimming and running with the Broxtowe group, this later became Broxtowe triathlon club, training went well and I competed in the Kimberly triathlon and along with it the idea I was just going to do just the one triathlon to be able to say to myself I've done a triathlon, so nearly 10 years later and I'm still doing triathlons. 

   Which brings me back to the original question why do I run, why do I keep turning up to these training sessions and I suppose like most things there's not one simple answer but the main reasons I think are the camaraderie of the group, everyone willing each other on and then the great satisfaction you get when you complete a training session or event, and then there's the mental side, nothing clears your mind of the stresses and strains of every day life like running, it doesn't matter how bad a day you might have had by the end of a good run session it's all gone and life is good again.  

I’ve been running since I was around ten years old, and it quickly became more than just a hobby to me. By the age of 12-13 I was representing my home county of Lincolnshire over track and cross-country, and found my love for the middle distance (800m/1500m).

Fast forward to 2021, when at the age of 23 I upped sticks from the cabbage fields of the Lincolnshire to move to Nottinghamshire after buying our first house with my partner, Paige (a fellow BERC!).

Aside from looking for a job and all the other boring life admin, my sole priority was to make sure I continued my running - and most of all, enjoyed it. I started off exploring the area by nipping out for runs after work, and it wasn’t before long that I noticed just how big the running community was up here. It was Paige who suggested popping down to a BERC training night to get to know more local runners, and for once she actually had a good idea!

The standout at BERCs for me, aside from the strange Eastwood ‘lingo’, is just how friendly and welcoming everyone is. I’ve made lifelong friends through running, as to me the social side is just as important as the results you get from training hard.

It’s been great to be part of BERCs teams that even won local events, and even better to see the surprise on people’s faces when a team called ‘BERC’ walk away with silverware! My highlight as a BERC was winning the Derwent River Relays and being able to give something back to the hard work coach & friend Steve has put in to the group. 

As a youngster, sprinting was my thing. But I put running on the back-burner for school and general ‘growing up’. Fast forward to the last 5-6 years, and I’ve dabbled in all sorts of distances from the mile up to half marathons. After meeting my partner Alex, I now have him to blame (thanks!) for pushing me towards my now-favourite distance, 800m.   It’s only been just over a year that I’ve focused on the middle distance event, but it’s ignited a love for the sport that I thought I’d lost a long time ago - and finally I’m seeing some self-confidence and belief (helped by a few county and midlands accolades!).  

Alex and I bought our first house in 2021, and we were looking for somewhere we could train, particularly because running alone is something, I personally, very rarely do.  We joined Mansfield Harriers, and after a few messages with some friends, I was recommended BERCs on a Monday night.   After just the first training night, it became clear the group was full of runners from lots of local clubs, all with different reasons for running - but the clearest thing was that everyone supported everyone, regardless of reason or ability.   It can be so daunting finding and going along to a new club or group, but if there’s one thing I can say about BERCs is you won’t regret joining. It’s amazing how much more you love the sport when you support others, and get that support in return. 

   I have been running on and off since I was at school. I decided in 2007 that I would train and run a marathon. That decision eventually led me to join a running club in 2009 and I have been a member of Kimberley & District Striders (KADS) ever since.

  In 2019 I turned 40 and I started to get back into my running after not having done much running at all in the previous few years. I was starting to make progress and doing well in the races I had entered when COVID hit, but I used the opportunity to get out running most days and I found the consistency in my running was leading to improvements.

  I first came along to BERCs in Spring 2021 when it was suggested I try them out during a run with another member from my running club. The sessions have really improved my running and despite being the wrong side of 40 I have managed to get PB’s from 5km to marathon distance. I’ve managed to achieve things that I never thought possible like representing my county at cross country and qualifying for the England Masters marathon team.

What’s great about BERCs is that it brings together a group of different people, some who may run for other running clubs, with a common goal to improve their running. Everyone is made to feel welcome and we all support and encourage each other. The coaches are all brilliant and willingly give up their time week in, week out to help out. I have huge admiration for them especially in the winter when it’s dark and cold. Joining BERCS has definitely been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.