Fetcheveryone Member of the Month

pedroscalls asks: Congratulations Katypie on winning MotM. My question is, if time and money were no object what race or route would you love to have a go at?

katypie says: Thank you. Without a doubt I’d do comrades. The only ultra I really fancy doing. Up or downhillcourse? I’m not sure.

HappyG(rrr) asks: Woohoo. Well done k-poo. Very much deserved. If time and money to train and travel was no object what race in the world would you most love to do? Congrats again. X G

katypie says: Thanks G. As above. I’d be at Comrades I reckon. Or any race with the boys. That would be amazing. X

Bintmcskint asks: Well done, katypie 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?

katypie says: Ooh this is tricky. Food? Hmmm. Bread. Boring but I love a bit of toast. Book? Hmmm. That’s so tough. Probably one of my kids books. Let’s say the stick man. I’d be finding my way to the family tree too. Who? Well. He’s not a very active fetchie but I’d have to say my husband not least because we’ve not finished a conversation since our son arrived in 2009 . 😄

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

katypie says: This is a very hard question. I wouldn’t want to waste my opportunity. Equally none of the names I can think of are properly intellectual ha ha ha. Actually I do know. Eliud Kipchoge. I think he’s fascinating. His running is something else but I could listen to him talk for hours. I should probably say something like JFK but there you go

KatieB asks: Very worthy winner. How do you push yourself out to train and race when your Endo is being a pig? Do you have any advice for others with chronic/ongoing conditions about how to balance looking after yourself physically but also getting that training done to help you mentally?

katypie says: Thank you. Hmmm. I really want to answer this well but fear it may turn into war and peace.

My diagnosis came days before a marathon. I had to DNS. So from the off I felt cheated. I had an endo v me mentality. I’m very stubborn. I think in some regards this has served me well. For me, staying in control of something when lots is going wrong was important. In hindsight in a battle between me and my disease I’m going to lose. We aren’t distinct entities. I may get a huge mental boost from running but at that moment it may make my conditions worse. If that makes sense but I’ve got used to it. It just is.

How do I get out when I’m having a flare up? Honestly because if I waited for an entirely pain free day I’d never run again. I’ve lost so many little battles. So even if my run is a jog then I’m going to run. Pain is one thing and living with a chronic condition another. It’s a hard thing to accept, mentally it’s so draining. Not being able to predict how your body will cope isn’t nice. What I do know is I feel better for running. So I get out because I have a demanding job. Two young kids. Because being outside makes me happy. Because I’ll be damned if I’m letting it take any more from me than it has. My consultant is hugely supportive of my running.

To to anyone with a chronic condition I would say. Look after yourself mentally. It’s okay to get angry. You have to let go of what you were and accept who you are. I’ve spent years trying to sub four again. I’ve worked so much harder for my PB. But it probably means more to me because of it. I guess running when pregnant was a good teacher, running slower, watching people pass you. But even if you’re not where you’d like to be you’re still out there giving it your best shot.

I’d also say Talk to people. If you need to. Find a counsellor if you need someone impartial.

I’d say be kind to yourself. It’s so hard. Try not to fight your body if you can. Rely on your friends. They will be there for you. Read lots. Try acupuncture if appropriate. Massage has been a good thing for me too. Also really understand your options for treatment and review them. What seemed an option previously may not be right for you now understand the side texts and long term impacts of treatments/surgeries.

I’d say you’re doing great. Be kind to yourself. Rage if you must but move to acceptance. Your body is an incredible thing that has adapated to the point of breaking so work with it to achieve your goals.

Dvorak asks: Would you rather the boys grew up to be runners, cyclists, triathletes or musicians?

(Just answering "whatever makes them happy" will not be accepted ;-).)

katypie says: Triathletes. Definitely. All rounders. They tend to be down to earth types and they can carry each other over a finish line.

Ness asks: Congratulations, Katypie. What is your favourite post race treat and who do you share it with?

katypie says: Well. Post race. I must confess anyone who knows me gives me a wide berth. One of the issues I have with the endo is all the pulling running does on my scars and adhesions. Tends to result in vomity badness post race. I can take quite a while to feel like eating again. That said you cannae beat a can of Barr’s Cream Soda, I’m also a fan of pretzels. Post race meal would be nachos or a chicken salad. Something I can pick at. I’d share with anyone that doesn’t mind a stinky runner sat next to them 😄

steve45 asks: Well done Katypie! Ok...loads of good miles in your training log but what caused the really low miles in 2014? And how did you "get back"?

katypie says: Thank you. Good question. So I had surgery in May 2013 that I seriously underestimated. I fell pregnant in July and had a wee boy in the March of 2014. I needed more surgery in the October. So mynrunning was a bit erratic. How did I get back? I just ran as and when I could. Entered a marathon in the following spring and got back on the horse. It was an enforced pit stop. Massively helped by Smout giving me her running buggy, my husband making sure I got out and my fetchie pals encouraging me to join them.

DocM asks: Well done. You can choose one running partner to help you train for your next event ..... you can choose anyone famous, Fetchie, four legged or otherwise who do you think would be the best choice for you and why ?

katypie says: Ooft. That’s hard. I’d need a bit of David Goggins crazy. Some rich roll cool. Em. Let’s say rich. He could get me into zone 2, drill me with his consistency is key. Chill me with his mellow ways. And teach me to eat well.

LouLou asks: Well done Katy - you continue to inspire me in training inspite of adversity and juggling a career with being a mum! You recently embarked on a "coached" marathon plan - would you recommend this? What were the key components that helped you PB?

katypie says: Thank you. Given everything you manage that is high praise. The coaching has definitely made a difference. So yes I’d recommend it. Several reasons: 1. I did the miles before but not the right way. Not enough faster miles and sometimes the daily total was right but it was t o runs and not say a 10M mid week run. 2. For me being accountable to someone helps. Having done 21 marathons I should be able to figure it out but there’s something about the weekly check in that makes me do the sessions. 3. I did the miles required before but didn’t push it or do the types of miles I should have because my body was fragile and not coping in races. What I’ve realised is that the only time my body was under proper stress was a race and it was like ‘what the...’. By having MP in long runs and the brisk runs mid week I slowly built up my stress levels and the gastro issues and pain I had reduced. So I’m being fairer on my body. It knows what pace is and what to do. With both NTM and Manchester I set myself a fairly steady pace and although it was an effort there was no ‘racing’. I’m interested now in seeing what I can do pace wise. Now I know my body can hold up.

swittle asks: How much does your scientific training help you to combine family, career, training and racing?

katypie says: Honestly. Probably not much. What probably helped more was the 30 hours/week I worked in Asda on top of a very heavy uni timetable (my final year was 20 hours in labs plus lectures and tutorials). Academically I didn’t perform well but I did walk into a graduate role somehow. I also went to university too young so that was a big of a mistake in hindsight but that’s an aside.

Having almost two full time jobs meant that I learned about juggling, about being tired, dealing with people properly. I think running marathons equipped me better to deal with the demands of family and career. I’d a routine in place. I ran when I could - it wasn’t perfect but I ran to and from work most days. I was a bit of a quitter before I ran tbh. I wish I was more analytical about my running. But I’m just not that kinda gal

Lisrun asks: Congratulations katypie, this is very well deserved Of the races you have done what has been your favourite and why ?

katypie says: Thank you. That’s very kind. What has been my favourite?! In terms of the race itself and not the final outcome I think I’d have to say the Northumberland coastal marathon. It’s just stunning. I genuinely had no idea we had that sort of scenery in the uk. I’ve had good company doing it and running it alone and being able to absorb the tranquility and beauty (and sheer blooming effort of running on the sand). Both times I’ve done it the weather has been amazing. I’ve also enjoyed it immensely. I think because I hadn’t trained specifically for it and wasn’t going for a time. There’s something in that, huh?!

Bazoaxe asks: Well done, a very deserving winner. You do an amazing job juggling work, children, health and also running. To have PBd with all that on your plate is incredible. I am interested in your motivations. Why did you start running and why do you keep running ? Oh, and will out paths ever cross in Dalmeny Estate on a Sunday morning as we both seem to go there at similar times !

katypie says: Och. Life is just busy. We all have a lot to balance. I was always a sporty kid. I badly hurt my knee at 19 and was told to avoid any high impact sports. I did a lot of MTB’ing. When I was 25 I broke up with my BF and we had a period of both needing to stay in the flat which wasn’t fun. I kind of had a Forrest Gump moment. I did the City Challenge 10k (a blast from the past eh?) was about 1hr 20 and as the Edinburgh marathon was being restarted I decided to go for it. Why do I keep running? I overthink things. I worry. When I run I’m still. I want to see what I can do. I have achieved more than I thought I ever could. I love being outside. Now it’s just a way of life.

princesszee asks: Congratulations! Please can I have your autograph, on your favourite book, running or non running, which one would you choose? x

katypie says: Ha ha ha. My favourite book. Jeez. These are hard questions. Running book would be... the pants of perspective by Anna McNuff. She’s a wee bit bonkers. A big bit fun and shares my love of snazzy breeks. I got to meet her and she’s lovely too. I’ve read so many I can’t remember them all. X

Sunbed Athlete asks: Congratulations. When you finally get “that” moment to enjoy yourself, after juggling everything in life, what do you do to enjoy it?

katypie says: Ok. This really is a hard question. They all are. But this one wins. I am very very bad at relaxing, at stopping and also for enjoying the moment. I immediately want to move to the next thing and sometimes it’s quite some time later before I really appreciate achieving a milestone.

That’s probably the time when I run tbh! But if not that then. I’d get a massage. Or read a good book. There’s something to be said for sitting in a content silence reading with your other half on the sofa. Maybe that’s CIA we’ve two boys and seldom finish a conversation?? 🤣

You’ve got me thinking now!