Fetcheveryone Member of the Month

Interview with Rosehip

pedroscalls asks: Congratulations on winning MoTM Rosehip. My question is if time and money was no object what route or race would you love to do?

Rosehip says: Well, in theory, come July, time should be no object. Money - well in some respects it's just money and I suppose ifI wanted something badly enough I could find it somewhere - or sell a teen or two

Fitness and ability OTOH are what's lacking!

I'd love to run/walk the Bob Graham round route - taking at least 3 days (probably 5!) to do it - because I've read so much about it in the last few years that the only way to get close to understanding what it's all about would be to walk the route.

I'd love to get myself fit enough to do something stupid and lumpy somewhere beautiful over 50K - or even 50 miles.

This beautiful country of ours offers so many opportunities, fitness allowing I shall try and visit more of it The only route abroad that really appeals is Comrades - but that really is a dream for money, time and a magical increase in fitness!

Diogenes asks: Congratulations RH. What is your favourite running memory or experience?

Rosehip says: Thanks, Dio
Good question and one that's really hard to answer! It's either the 50K Thames path I did for my 50th birthday or getting sub 30 for 5k -my first sub-something target I hit.

Serendippily asks: Well deserved Rosehip, when did you know this running lark was for you?

Rosehip says: Thank you Dipps
I'm still not sure this running lark is for me - I don't seem to be very good at it! - I think the notorious run 3 of week 5 of the NHS version of C25K app is what did it. 20 minute run, without walking a step, for the first time in my life. It felt like such an achievement, I just wanted more!

DocM asks: Well deserved, which would you rather run in, warm and wet or dry and freezing cold ?

Rosehip says: A question I didn't have to think about - that's easy, freezing cold and dry every time. A bright, frosty morning on the trails is just the best. I also love crisp, crunchy snow - as long as I've got my Sealskinz on!

westmoors asks: Congratulations Rosehip. If you could meet anybody, past or present, who would it be and why?

Rosehip says: a really hard question! I have been lucky enough to meet some people who were heroes of mine from various sports and professions and they didn't disappoint. How about someone completely disconnected from running? - Nikola Tesla - fascinating man!

Mandymoo asks: Congratulations Rosehip, well deserved. How did you find Fetch?

Rosehip says: Thank you Mandy
I think I found Fetcheveryone from the Weightlossresources forums. I was a (not very visible) member for some time, losing the three stone that I put on during my last stressful year at my previous job and the relaxation -and baking- I enjoyed when I left there.
When I first started with C25K, I stalked the running thread on WLR and then followed someone over here. I don't think the original person I followed is still on here, but I know that a few others of you are

Dr PhFleecyD asks: Ooh well done Rosehip! Tell me about your favourite regular running route

Rosehip says: Thanks, Fleecy
I'm, going to cheat, as I have two.
If I've got an hour, or less and I'm running from work, laps around the RSPB HQ can't be beaten. Always changing with the weather and seasons. It's not flat though, so can be quite hard work.
My second is the route out to the old railway tunnel at Old Warden. EdJ showed me it on a gorgeous frosty spring morning - again it's a route that feels different through the seasons. Away from the traffic, pretty views (yes even over Bedford ) often old planes to watch. I shall miss glimpsing the Airlander flying from Cardington now it's moving on though.

northernslowcoach asks: Congratulations Rosehip! What’s your favourite post run meal?

Rosehip says: I'm not often hungry after a run - but an egg mayo or tuna mayo sandwich or peanut butter on toast usually goes down well

Jigs asks: Well done Rosehip What is your top tip for would be/newbie runners?

Rosehip says: Start slow - no even slower than that Consistency is key to improving, don't do too much too soon and injure yourself or wear yourself out.
Once you're running a few times a week consistently, add a tiny bit off short sharp speedy stuff, the 80% slow and steady, 20% faster "than you think you can" ratio works well for me - someone remind me of that occasionally, please.

Cog Noscensme AHA asks: Super! What's your ideal weekend?

Rosehip says: Just me (the dog if I have to) and a tent, somewhere in the Lake District with time to walk. Preferably benign weather - not too hot during the day, not too cold at night, no rain!. A friendly parkrun with lovely Fetchies to start it off. An evening in a pub with new-to-me Fetchies would finish it off nicely

RRR-CAZ 🇬🇧 asks: Congratulations RH, If you were to get golden tickets for any sporting event what would you choose ?

Rosehip says: Well, answering this as I see the question in early May - after the events of this week, it has to be the Champions League final 2019!
However, by the time these questions get aired, I guess that match will be done and dusted and the result will have probably pleased husband more than me!
So, if there's one spare, a flight to Tokyo to watch the Olympic marathon would be fabulous!

EdJ asks: Yay!! Building on pedroscalls' question, what support from the Fetch community (other than just sending you enough money to retire) would help you achieve the race at the top of your bucket list.

Rosehip says: Oh, Ed! how long have I deliberated over the answer to this one?
I'm hoping that I can retire - and stay retired this time -at the end of July, so that's not the help I need.
I think what might help is constructive critical comments on my training. Fetchies - please tell me when my easy runs are not, my mileage is insufficient and my intervals don't have the effort needed

Fenland Flier asks: Congratulations Rosehip what distance would you most like to PB at and why?

Rosehip says: Marathon. I really really really want to knock a huge 26 minutes from my time and get a sub-5-hour marathon bagged.
Retiring (again) at the end of July might just give me the opportunity to do that
Second to that would be a 10K PB - in 2014 I amazed myself running just 20-odd seconds over the 60-minute barrier. Knocking those off and hitting a sub-60 just once, would be brilliant!

Homer asks: Well done. Who was the funniest Fetchie to pass the London FetchPoint?

Rosehip says: Thank you
This year? or that I've seen ever?
Foxy is always good for a laugh - especially if he has to work to get our attention. Girlie pole dancing last year was entertaining, Jock stopping for a beer last year - Flanker for a gin this... I could go on. Fetchpoint is anything but dull!

mulbs asks: well done you, and when are we going to run together again? Eh? Eh?

Rosehip says: thank you Mulbs
- good question - I must do one of your local parkruns soon and maybe it's time we revisited one of Foxy's lakes?

Carpathius asks: Congratulations So glad you've got this. What is your favourite distance and why?

Rosehip says: Thanks, Carpathius
I think the half-marathon must be my favourite distance at the moment - not fast enough to hurt and not long enough to do any real damage. I seem to have clocked up a few of them, so I guess I do enjoy them. Of course, if I ran one properly I'm sure it would both hurt and damage me significantly!
I'd like to say 50K too - it's the distance I want to get strong enough to run more of, less pressure and better views - and cakes - than a road marathon. Hopefully, I shall join you at one or two next year

Seratonin asks: Congratulations. What is your favourite post run treat?

Rosehip says: Thank you

That's a hard one as I'm not often hungry after a run. I do find that after a HM I'm really craving salty crisps and a glass of orange juice, though.

Columba asks: Congratulations, Rosehip. Why the name?

Rosehip says: Mulbs christened me at the Bupa 10K in 2012 (?) when I was starting to use the forums and didn't like the name I'd chosen. Rosehip is a mix of my real name and my childhood nickname, which was Hippo.

Bintmcskint asks: SO well deserved For so many reasons. Congratulations. You are stranded on a desert island. You can take one type of food, one book and one Fetchie. What and who do you take and why?

Rosehip says: Do tealeaves count as food? If I can't have a cup of tea or three in the morning I won't have the get-up and go needed to discover the delights available on the island

I think if I were stranded on an island I'd want a full Prachet Discworld compendium to read. What better to enjoy whilst relaxing on the beach enjoying the sunset.

As for the Fetchie - that's impossible to answer!

Ness asks: Congratulations, Rosehip. What’s your favourite piece of running kit? Why?

Rosehip says: Gosh, that's another difficult question!

- after some deliberation, I think the answer has to be Shock absorber run bras. If it hadn't been for them, I don't think I would ever have found running comfortable enough to continue with. I wish they'd been invented when I was at school - I might have got further than the first ciggy-behind-a-tree group in cross-country if they had been!

Wombling Plodder (Welsh Womble) asks: Fantastic - well deserved Which running event was your favourite and why?

Rosehip says: Another really hard to answer question!
Probably a Fetch mile - they have all been marvelously fabulous I hope that there is at least one this year that I can get to.