Fetcheveryone Member of the Month

pedroscalls asks: Congratulations on your MoTM win, my question is, if money and time were no object what race or route would you love to do.

Little Miss Happy says: Difficult one pedro. It's my knees that limit my racing options more than anything and I've never had a bucket list of races. I love Australia and Florida - for the heat and the amazing gluten free food I can get there so a marathon or ultra in either location, preferably when everyone else thinks it's too hot for running, would be it.

GetOutTheDoor asks: What is your favourite way to de-stress?

Little Miss Happy says: You've nailed it with your name! My favourite way to destress is to get out of the door. Preferably for a run by the sea or in the countryside and if running isn't an option then for a walk. I need to be outside and I need to be in motion. My other go to/destress activity is baking.

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

Little Miss Happy says: westmoors - I thought long and hard about this and came up with a variety of people at different times and then in the middle of a run it came to me. I'd like to meet me about forty years ago and have a conversation about what is important and how to live the rest of my life to make the best of it. I'm not sure I'd have listened but I do think that some of it would have stuck with the fifteen year old me and made life easier, better and more enjoyable.

RFJ asks: Congratulations LMH, about time you were recognised for your efforts, talking of efforts what do you consider to be your best effort / achievement in running and what keeps you going?

Little Miss Happy says: I think I should be asking you what keeps you going RFJ! Your attitude and determination in the face of adversity is an inspiration and often when I struggle to get myself out of the door I think of those, such as yourself, who would love to have the opportunity to get out for a run. I think my first sub 3 marathon at 49 was one of my best efforts. Once I'd broken that barrier it was easier to do it again though to be able to get older and faster over the next couple of years is up there too. I really hoped to be able to break 2.55 and that used to keep me going unfortunately after the last couple of plague and accident blighted years I'm no longer sure it's possible.

♪♫ Synge ♪♫ asks: Congrats, LMH, a really well-deserved win. Thank you for all you contribute to the site and its denizens. My question: if the LMH name had been taken by someone else, which Little Miss or Mr Men character would have been your second choice and why?

Little Miss Happy says: You're very kind Synge. Little Miss Happy isn't a Little Miss character of course, it was an ironic nickname given to me by a work colleague in a former job. If I were going to be an official Little Miss/Mr Man I think it would have to be Mr Bump - I'm very accident prone!

Mushroom asks: Congratulations. If you could only ever take part in one more event, what would you choose? One you've done before, or a new one?

Little Miss Happy says: A new one mushroom - though I'm not sure which!

Velociraptor asks: Congratulations, LMH! As a woman who can run a sub-3hr marathon, you are one of the most talented and dedicated runners on this site. When did you discover your ability for long distance running, and is there anything you would have done differently looking back at your earlier running career with the benefit of hindsight?

Little Miss Happy says: V'rap - I currently feel like an old woman who could once run a sub 3 marathon but never say never. I've always been more of a distance runner than a fast one, even as a child, but it was only after a bad cycling accident in 2014 that this phase of my running life started. My earlier running career was curtailed by injury which could potentially have been avoided if I had focussed on what was right for me rather than on pleasing other people. I've also learnt that just because seemingly everyone else agrees that you have to do a, b and c to progress it ain't necessarily so.

Night-owl asks: Congratulations a well deserved win where do you see yourself in 5 years time (of what you'd like to accomplish. ) Well done

Little Miss Happy says: Hi Night-Owl - I'd really like to manage at least one more sub 3 marathon and in my dreams the elusive sub 2.55 - I was so close before injury/illness/CV19! Most importantly though I'd like to still be running and enjoying it.

Ness asks: Congratulations on MOTM, Little Miss Happy. What is the best piece of advice you have been given for either running or life in general?

Little Miss Happy says: Hi Ness. That's a toughie! You wouldn't believe how many times I've answered this question then thought of something different a day or two later and changed it. I'm not sure if it was advice I was given directly or if it was just taken from the book of the same name (which I've never read) but 'Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway' has to be a contender. I think it's so easy to limit yourself by not daring to try. As I've got older I've increasingly realised that trying and failing (if you truly give something your best shot) is easier than spending a long time thinking 'what if'.