2010 Progress Entrant - Jayne Hall

Contents:- -Intro- Report -1- -2- -3- -4- -5- -6- -7- -8- -9- -10- -11- -12- -13- -14-

Introduction

My name is Jayne Hall and I am a 45 year old Quantity Surveyor. I am married to David and mother of two - Laura, 23 and a very talented runner and Joe, 18, who would rather cut his right leg off than run further than to the nearest bar in order to catch last orders!

I am an experienced runner having competed at all distances from 5K to marathon over the years and in fell racing, cross country and mountain marathons. I'm not a 'natural' runner and have always had to work at it - but I am passionate about it and believe that if the will is there anyone can run. I can't explain what it is that makes me run when I could just walk - I think it keeps me young - after all, children run everywhere and one thing I never said to my children was 'walk - don't run!'

Currently I run about 25 miles a week over 4 days. Although I live in Thurso, since February 2009 I have been working in Derby, East Midlands as due to the recession there was no work in Scotland for my company. The only reason I managed this (apart from having a very supportive husband!) was by joining the local running club where I made lots of new friends. Without them I think I might have resigned! I am a member of Sinfin Running Club and over this year have competed for them all over the East Midlands mainly in the Fell Running League.

My goal for the Mey 10K is to complete it in about 46 minutes (I can't believe I just said that!) Prior to this year I had not run a 10k for quite a long time. I much prefer longer distance races as I am fit enough to keep going for a long time..... but not at any great speed! Even when I was quite competitive I never really did well at 10k's. This year with a new club I have run about 5 10k's and my times have improved. However, my best time was on a totally flat course with the wind behind me so it's unlikely I'll beat that at Mey! Still, I'll give it a go.

I volunteered to be a featured runner because basically I'm lazy! I know I'll have to put a bit of work in to achieve 46 minutes over the Castle of Mey course so if I go public I'll have to do it! Also, any excuse to return to Caithness, even if it's to do a suicidal attempt at a 10k is a pleasurable thing to look forward to.