Two of our studio members, James Crisp and Rob Simpson are running in the Manchester and London marathons. They regularly enjoy training together, in the beautiful Suffolk countryside. Here are their stories…
James' story
Rob: Tell us when it all started James?
James: It began about 12 years ago, when I wanted to do some exercise and I tried one of those workout places where they have ropes and kettle bells. I just really hated it!
I was doing a fair bit of cycling at the time but it wasn’t quite what I wanted to do. We had a local running club I signed up for but I found it really tough. I was really unfit and I wasn’t enjoying it at that point. We then had our family, so I gave my sports up while our kids were young.
Rob: You got back into it though?
James: Yeah, I was looking to exercise, and I liked the idea of running so one day I thought, ‘okay’ and just went for it. It was hard but I didn’t give up, went out again and again. I then started doing the occasional Park Run.
Unfortunately I was then hit by injuries. I was in New York about four years ago around Central Park and I felt a pain whilst running. I tried to run through it and in the end it just got so bad I couldn’t run.
I rested up months then got treatment at the Foot Clinic with ultrasounds. I’ve got a little bony growth on my heel bone instead of being nice and round and actually squared off at the top my Achilles tendon pushes against the square bit, especially when I run, causing inflammation. So lots of ice, lots of physio, lots of innersoles, and money spent on trainers!
James: I also took my daughter to Park Runs for a while, which helped keep me going, it gave me another reason to push on through the injuries. I dropped down the effort a bit when running with her, as she was young, and limited to 2-5 km.
It has taken the best part of three years to get to the point where I can run again properly and do running events. I’ve taken it slow getting back but I’m in a better place now.
Rob: what organised races have you run locally?
James: I’ve done the Kesgrave 5 km fun run a couple of times, the Martlesham 7 miles, and once I got back from injury the Cambridge, Ipswich and Colchester half marathons.
In part it's all been leading up to a few weeks time and the Manchester Marathon 2023. It’s a bucket list thing for me and it’s only now actually become a possibility that I can do it.
Rob: So, why do you enjoy running James?
James: It helps clear my head. I love being out in the countryside, as it’s a way to reset, let go of stress and just have a bit of time to myself to enjoy life. I will always get home and feel better.
Secondly, its the sense of accomplishment when I’ve finished, especially with running a half marathon. It’s torture doing it but it’s such a great achievement at the end. I’m proud of something I’ve done for myself and it’s all my own effort.
James: I think it’s easy as well, I put on a pair of trainers, step out of the door, and then go!
Of course, you can spend money on trainers, maybe headphones and seasonal weather gear but its worth it.
As you say, the trials, the landscapes, the views, sunrises and sunsets are all great stuff.
Rob's story
Rob: My journey was a little bit different, I started running in late 2020. I’ve been very lucky to stay clear of injury. My mate Stu actually asked me to do a 100 km run challenge in September that year and I said to him ‘I can barely do 5K’ – but with a lot of sweat I managed to do 60 km that month.
As I began to find the running easier the social side became a big thing as it coincided with the Covid lock down at the start of 2021. Do you remember when we could only go outside and exercise with one person? It pushed me to enjoy the running as much as having a catch up chat with my fellow runners!
Rob: During Covid it was a reason to get out of the house and then it became a good healthy habit to have. I would run with other people so it was a social thing, and like you James, I enjoy a bit of time to myself, away from work, out in the fresh air with a chance to explore and find different trail routes.
It’s surprising how far you can get and the amazing things you can see around Ipswich just by running a few miles. I feel very lucky.
You’ve got to put the effort in, and for that there are lots of rewards, like the unforgettable sunrises.
Rob: Who knew we had such lovely spaces to explore within a couple of miles of my doorstep? As the last couple of years have gone on I’ve developed a routine, where I get home from work, and go straight back out the door in my running trainers saying, ‘I’ll be back in an hour’.
You can tell I’m into running cos when we travel I find myself planning runs in and around weekends, family holidays and nights away, making sure I have my running kit and trainers with me. My wife and kids think I’m obsessed.
The Manchester Marathon
James: The training is very hard it’s just finding the time to get out as much as you do Rob. At the moment it’s tough as I’ve got two young kids, work, and just a busy life.
However, I’m really excited; I did a good training run at the weekend (20 miles), so almost full distance. It’s made me feel more positive that I’m going to complete the distance.
It’s a mindset thing, if you know you’ve got to run 26.2 miles you’ll set your eyes on that target. Same as you would if you’re just running 10 km or a half marathon.
I think I’ll definitely complete the marathon. I might have to walk a bit of it but at the end of the day, I’m still going the distance under my own steam. I’m not worried about time at all to be honest; I don’t care if it takes six hours.
Rob: I ran the Manchester Marathon last year alongside my cousin-in-law Rebecca. I really wanted a goal to aim for and thought a marathon would be the ultimate one!
I may have run it but I can’t really give you any tips apart from run your own race, don’t worry about everyone else around you, whether they’re running faster or slower than you, just run how your body feels. If you feel good keep going, if you are knackered slow down.
I’m not gonna lie, it was a tough event, the last part of the 26.2 miles went on forever… It didn’t put me off because I’ve been lucky enough to get a ballot place at this years London Marathon in April. I’m hoping it’ll be an amazing experience and that the crowds will be fantastic, and really spur me on.
I remember last year’s crowds in Manchester, cheering constantly and shouting words of encouragement, they handed out sweets, lots of biscuits, bananas and drinks.
James: It’s always nice when the crowd shout your name, ‘come on James’, after seeing it on my bib, but it freaked me out at first. I found myself looking around for the person they knew, and then it happened again, I suddenly realised it’s me they're cheering on.
Rob: the last part of my marathon last year I definitely got a couple of cheers, probably two or three, from people in the crowd. It gives you a little burst of enthusiasm and kicks you onward.
Training together
Rob: We’ve been out training together which has been good, it’s part of the benefit of seeing each other during the week at Unicorn Studios. We can swap notes and compare what we have been doing each week, talk about any aches, pains or injuries and what our plans look like for the next week.
It’s been great going out with you James, especially when we ran the 10 mile loops from Nacton, Levington Marina to the Felixstowe docks. I remember the mud near Trimley Marshes being horrendous, but we saw a great sunrise, which again is quite special.
Rob: Remember when we ran together and those dogs chased after us, I remember thinking who is fastest, can I run ahead of James and let him take the fall for me! Ha, ha!
James: yeah, you’d just leave me there…
James: It’s been really helpful just having someone to lean on and check in with to see what they’re up to. We don’t compare ourselves but it’s just nice to get a different viewpoint. And because this year has been solid with training on my own it’s nice to be able to share that experience with someone else, it’s quite important for me really.
Rob: We’re hoping to fit one more training session in together before our marathons, maybe a 20 mile run if James can manage that!?
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