Running in Faversham

This week we catch up with our resident web designer Neil Brown who talks about why he started running in his early 50s

Words Neil Brown Photographs Neil Brown

I think the last time I went on a run was back in the 80s doing cross-country running at school. I can also remember my Mum doing the Thanet half marathon around the same time and running along with her on some training sessions, but sadly fell over in some gravel and cut my knee wide open which kind of put a damper on my running career.

I’ve always been quite active though and after my knee incident I discovered Skateboarding, which I’ve done pretty much well into my late 40s, but running was just something I didn’t think I would enjoy or actually really want to do.

Jump ahead to June 2024 and after a few years of stress and anxiety post Covid and lockdown, I was struggling a bit with my mental and physical health and the realisation that I was now over 50.

Some of my friends that were into running had previously told me that I should take it up, I just didn’t see myself getting up early and going off for a run, but for some reason on a sunny June morning I had woken up about 5:30, went downstairs and started my routine of putting on the TV and making a cup of coffee. This time something stopped me and I thought to myself this isn’t the most productive way of starting my day, maybe I should go for a walk? Pretty unexpectedly my brain kind of decided to say: ‘What if we went for a run?’ So without trying to wake up my family, I went to get the most comfortable trainers I could find, borrowed a pair of my teenage son’s football shorts, filled a bottle of water and headed off to Faversham Rec.

My first thought was: ‘I hope no one sees me’, and my second thought was: ‘I hope no one that’s out on a run sees me.’ I let the impostor syndrome wave over me and sat on a park bench to contemplate what I was doing.

I asked myself: ‘What are you trying to achieve?’ Well, I guess it was just to start running, so I thought if I could make it one lap round the Rec then that would be a good goal for the day.

So off I went, one foot in front of the other plodding along to see if I could make it round. Much to my surprise after what seemed an eternity, I made it back to where I started sweating, puffing and thinking I was going to die, but I did it.

It turns out that one lap of the Faversham Rec is roughly 1km. I remember over lockdown people talking about Couch to 5k so I thought this should be my next goal.

With some things in my life (like writing this article), I’m like a walking risk assessment where hypothetical worrying takes over, which always puts doubt in my mind, but for some reason this 5k goal became an obsession and every day I started to go out for a run and increase my distance. After seven days I did it, I’d reached my 5k goal. A wave of euphoria came over me, but at cost.

I pretty much did everything wrong. I didn’t plan out a proper running schedule, I didn’t run then walk, I didn’t take proper rest days, I didn’t stretch before or after a run. I pulled my calf muscles in both legs, my groin was hurting and I was really worried that I wouldn’t be able to run again.

So I took a break, rested my body and did some actual research into running and in particular running over 50.

I’m pleased to report that I’m back out running again and have listed some of the tips I have learnt later in the article.

So after doing laps of the Rec, I was ready to venture off around Faversham and find some new routes that would be suitable for running. Faversham doesn’t disappoint, with a wide range of terrains and environments through the town, along the Creek and into the countryside. It was just me and the Magpies.

I’ll just add this note as I seem to be a magnet for Magpies following me on my runs. I don’t know if anyone else does this but when I see a Magpie I always say: ‘Good morning Mr Magpie. How are Mrs Magpie and all the other little magpies?’ And then start singing the 70s TV theme song…

 

One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret, Never to be told. Maaaaaaaaaagpiiiiiiiie :o)

 

I worked out a 5km route, starting in the Rec, up Abbey Fields towards the sewage works, then off along the Creek and through the boat yard, then returning via the Market Square and Preston Street. (You can also loop right at the Creek to Sandbanks Road to make up a 7km on this route.)

Most mornings I see other runners out and about and I’m still not sure on the correct running etiquette when you pass each other. I know some groups like bikers give a friendly nod, so if you see me giving you an awkward wave and nod, it’s just my way of acknowledging the effort of getting out and running and it did feel good the first time someone did it to me.

The next logical step was to run a 10k. I was enjoying the freedom of running on my own and for my own reasons, yet still had that imposter syndrome hanging over me. A friend where I have my studio at Creek Creative said I should enter the Faversham 10k in September. This as you can imagine sent my anxiety through the roof, but I thought this might give me some kind off validation and put some of those doubts to rest or not!

The photo below sums up exactly how I was feeling the morning of the Faversham 10k. Yes that’s me, bottom centre, wondering what I’d got myself into, observing a sea of running clubs, hydration vests and carbon plate running shoes :o)

After calming my nerves, I went to collect my bib number (45) and tracker only to find out I was in Wave 1. All I could do was laugh and it actually put me in a great mood.

The weather was perfect and even though I went to the back of wave 1, I got caught up in the amazing friendly atmosphere and with a few cheers we were off and heading out of the Abbey School grounds.

The route takes you across to Water Lane and then up along Hansletts Lane and back round to Brogdale Farm via Painters Forstal and then to the finish line back at the Abbey School. It was quite hilly, but I found a good rhythm and was really pleased with a time of 52:08.

The whole experience was amazing and even though I still haven’t plucked up the courage to join a running club, I feel more confident in my running ability and looking forward to taking part in more organised runs.

On reflection of my running journey so far, I feel so much better in myself. I’ve really enjoyed my early morning runs, it’s a great way to start the day, rather than sitting on the sofa getting depressed watching the latest news. I feel like I’ve achieved something positive before I start my day and even though some mornings you don’t feel motivated, just putting on your running shoes and taking that first step can really change your mood.

I don’t know where this journey will take me, but I’ve loved running in and around Faversham, it’s such a beautiful town. My last achievement was doing a half marathon 21.1km and I’m excited to see what happens next.

 

 

My tips for anyone thinking of taking up running.

1. Know your own body: Everyone is built differently and we all have our own life experiences that can affect our fitness level, so run at your own pace – the saying ‘A 10 minute kilometre is the same distance as a 3 minute kilometre’ is a cliché but true.
2. Set achievable goals: Having a good running plan like Couch to 5k is a great way to start. You can find them on the internet or by downloading an app to your phone.
3. Walking is ok: I felt because I was ‘out on a run’ that walking was some kind of failure – it’s not.
4. Stretch: Make sure you stretch before and after you run.
5. Strength training: It’s also a good idea to do some strength training exercises to improve the muscles in your legs and body to stop injury.
6. Rest days: It’s really important to recover after your runs, so make sure you add these to your schedule.
7. Stay hydrated: Since I’ve started running, I am drinking way more water than before and have found if I’m hydrated I don’t need to take water with me on shorter runs.
8. Equipment: The main item to invest in is a good pair of running shoes. You don’t need a £300 pair to start with – my first pair were £40 from Vinted. You can then build up a range of clothes suitable for running in the summer or winter.
9. Stay safe: Make sure you can be seen if you’re running in the dark, with lights and reflective gear. Run in groups if you feel vulnerable running alone. Be aware of your surroundings and stop at road junctions etc.
10. Smile: I try and always have fun when I run. Even when it’s cold and wet, I still keep a smile on my face and enjoy the experience. It definitely helps :0)

Useful links for runners in Faversham

The Faversham Running Club – www.favershamrunningclub.co.uk

Papà Bianco Run Club – www.instagram.com/wearepbrc

Coffee Run Club – www.instagram.com/coffee_runclub

Faversham 10k – www.sportingeventsuk.com/enter-an-event/faversham-10k

Macknade Half Marathon & 10k – www.sportingeventsuk.com/enter-an-event/macknade-half-marathon-10k

Faversham Recreation Ground Junior Parkrun – www.facebook.com/p/Faversham-Recreation-Ground-junior-parkrun

Couch to 5k – www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/get-running-with-couch-to-5k

For more Faversham running routes and my nerdy stats you can follow me on Strava – www.strava.com