RUNNING COMMENTARY
Stories, miles and memories from the PWR community
Member Spotlight: Eric Nash
It feels a bit like, when you make your marathon debut aged 77, you need no introduction. Of course, that’s not going to stop me attempting one anyway. Eric shows us all that it’s never too late to embark on your running journey. (Actually, he sensibly points out, it might be too late, if you’re older than him, in which case how do we expect him to know?!) Look out for daughterly interjections in the article from Ellen Ball, who, it emerges, is her dad’s reason to run, and whom we thank for setting this inspirational running journey in motion by ‘carrying on at him to go to Parkrun.’
Member Spotlight: Eric Nash
It feels a bit like, when you make your marathon debut aged 77, you need no introduction. Of course, that’s not going to stop me attempting one anyway. Eric shows us all that it’s never too late to embark on your running journey. (Actually, he sensibly points out, it might be too late, if you’re older than him, in which case how do we expect him to know?!) Look out for daughterly interjections in the article from Ellen Ball, who, it emerges, is her dad’s reason to run, and whom we thank for setting this inspirational running journey in motion by ‘carrying on at him to go to Parkrun.’
You started with your Parkrun debut age 73. Tell us how that happened. My daughter kept carrying on at me to go to Parkrun, and since at the time I was cutting the grass at the bowling green 3 times a week, I felt I was in a reasonable fitness, and so I reluctantly turned up. I had 3 walking breaks during that first Parkrun and finished it just under 40 minutes. In the time that followed, I suddenly found myself quite keen to turn up for a Parkrun on a Saturday. When did you join Petts Wood Runners, and what does the club mean to you? I signed up for the Petts Wood 10K and then joined in July 2023. Being part of the club just gives me the pleasure of keeping being recognised by people; or a little shout-out while they're running past me! Do you remember your very first race? What stands out about it now? It was Ted Pepper, it was that muddy day. I think I managed to fall over. And if I'm not mistaken, I'd done my usual go the wrong way thing. It was so muddy that they had to reroute a little bit, and it meant that we all did 6 and a half miles. So it was tough. You inspired the whole club and possibly beyond with your incredible marathon debut at London this year, age 77. Tell us about it. It was a good day. I just had fun, amazingly enough, apart from the hard work of actually getting round. And yes, stopping to talk to people was a good part of the day as well, Strava told me I'd lost half an hour through not moving! The outstanding finish line is one I will never forget. What did running the marathon mean to you? I find that it's all tied in with the raising money for Alzheimer's, in my sister's memory. And I was very pleased with the result I got there, over £5,000. I think basically that's it. And the pleasure of actually finishing, I guess. There are 3 generations of you now running. How important is running in your family? Well, it means that we all see each other frequently and it's great that we all get to do something together that we all enjoy. My niece Shelley has started Parkrun and she's looking forward now to next week because it's pacers week. So we feel that she too is really getting into the feeling of doing it now. What's your preferred distance and why? I enjoy all the running I do, but I think Parkrun is the main thing. |
You volunteer as well and have spurred my daughter on at Junior Parkrun. Thank you! What do you enjoy about the volunteering side?
Again, it's good fun; the high fives and shouting encouragement and stopping them from cutting corners! I really quite enjoy it so it's something I do every Sunday morning. Favourite post-run treat? I think it's probably when we go for a nice pub meal and a couple of pints with a good crowd of us after the Canterbury 10 miles. What’s your favourite running shoe? I'm a Brooks person. I had a little running test when I bought my first pair and they were Brooks; I've just stayed with those. What song would pep you up at mile 25? I don't tend to listen to music when I'm running, so I just drift off in random thoughts of my own. But maybe 'I would walk 500 miles'. That would be a nice one to sing along to. What races have you signed up for next? I'm looking forward to trying to do all 7 KFL races. I haven't managed that yet; I've done 6 out of 7. What's the strangest thing that's happened to you on a run? Going the wrong way! I always seem to manage to 1) fall over at some point and 2) take a wrong turning. At the Chislehurst Half Marathon, I was towards the back of the field and everybody was turning right. So I turned right, but I should have gone straight on. I had to turn round and come back again, which probably added half an hour to my time! (Ellen: He was joking - he did a fantastic time, only three mins slower than his time at Paddock Wood!) Have you got any funny running stories Well, I suppose again, it's the falling over and going the wrong way. That's pretty funny, I suppose, to other people. (Ellen: It's not. It stresses me out!) Who is your running hero and why? I guess I've got to go back to my daughter, Ellen. Who actually started me on this journey. Are there any other memorable races you have run aside from the marathon? I think probably the most memorable one was the Folkestone 10 miles. Half of it was very easy. The second half was very hard. (Ellen explains: It was an out and back and the wind was behind us for five miles and then against us on the return - it was awful!) What would you like to do outside of running? I still play bowls, so that sort of takes up the summer. I enjoy doing it and getting involved in that club. What would you say to someone who thinks it's too late to start running? Well, if they're younger than me, I'd say definitely not too late. But if they're older than me, I'd leave it up to them! What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out on their running journey? I’d just encourage people once they've started, to keep coming. What’s your favourite piece of running gear? Well, at the moment, it's got to be my Marathon finisher T-shirt! |
Please let Presh Howell or Eleanor Pinkerton know if you have a great story to tell, or would like to nominate a fellow member. We’d love to hear from you.
PREVIOUS SPOTLIGHTS
