Fetcheveryone Member of the Month

Interview with RunHammyRun

pedroscalls asks: Congratulations on the MoTM win. My question is if time and money were no object what route or race would you most like to run?

RunHammyRun says: Thank you, I guess like most people the iconic ultra marathons in the USA tempt me like Badwater and Western States so if money were no object I definitely like to give those a go. I also quite fancy the Tahoe Rim 200 so that could be on the bucket list at some point.

Serendippily asks: Well done. What or who do you tend to think about when you run

RunHammyRun says: Thank you. I usually try to empty my mind when I run, and not think about anything. I like to fall into a zone where it’s just relentless forward motion. This doesn’t always happen though, so I try and think about all the people who are supporting me, tracking me from home, and following my progress. I also think about my crew and my family who are waiting for me and I use them to keep me motivated. After all they’ve given up so much time to support me that I don’t want to let them down.

RRR-CAZ asks: Well done. Given golden tickets for any sporting event what would you choose to watch ?

RunHammyRun says: Thank you. I love all types of sport so that is a really tough question. I love supporting at events and watching people achieve their dreams and that doesn’t cost a penny. I guess though if there was one event I could be in the stadium for it would be the World Cup Final with England playing of course! Failing that I would love to see the Olympic 100m finals live both men’s and women’s as I’ve always loved that event.

Homer asks: If you were designing your dream aid station, what crazy luxuries or services would they have for you towards the end of the race?

RunHammyRun says: This is tough because I usually want to spend as little time in aid stations as I can, so the more luxurious it is the longer I’d want to stay. The best thing would be a replacement pair of legs or a magic treatment that instantly stopped everything from hurting and gave you energy. They’d also need to have a fresh pair of shoes in my size for me to slip on for those last few miles!! That would all need to be done in less than a minute as well!!! For now though I’ll settle for a hug from my crew, a jam sandwich and a cup of coke or sprite!!!

Neilio asks: Well done on the win. Red sauce or Brown?

RunHammyRun says: Thank you, I am definitely a red sauce kind of guy.

Trin asks: Huge congratulations on MOTM, very well deserved! Also congratulations on winning TP100, you've inspired me to have another go (did I just say that out loud 😲). My question is, when thinking about the relative short amount of time from starting running to achieving amazing times over long distances, what do you put this down to... were you always sporty, or is it pure hard work and guts?

RunHammyRun says: Many thanks, and I’m glad to hear that you are inspired to have another go! Good luck! 😊

In answer to your question, I put it down to both things. I have always been sporty, I played a lot of football when I was younger, however strangely I hated running further than 200m... and X-Country was dreaded at school. Now I have a real passion for running, it is my hobby and I do it because I enjoy it. I also work very hard and train as best I can. I have made sacrifices to try and be as good as I can be and training is a priority for me.

You can have talent, but if you don’t work hard then you will never achieve what you are capable of. I have seen people will less talent but a great work ethic achieve far more than people with more talent who put no effort in.

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

RunHammyRun says: Thank you. Another tough question, one of my Sporting Heroes growing up was Michael Jordan so I’d love to meet him. I also wouldn’t mind having a chat with Yiannos Kouros, one of the greatest ultra runners if not the greatest of all time to see if he could give me any tips!!

bonners asks: Congratulations. In the world of normal human beings, whatever inspires people to one day go, hmmm, that marathon looks quite short, I'd like to do something far longer?

RunHammyRun says: As I am far from normal (in a totally bonkers kind of way), i’m not sure that I am qualified to answer that question so I can only speak from personal experience. I was inspired to go longer as the challenge excited me.... I could run a marathon and could do so pretty quickly, so it was either try and go faster or go further and I opted for the latter. It never fails to amaze me what individuals are capable of if they put their mind to it and I think the longer distances really emphasise this. I haven’t found my breaking point yet.. although I have come close.

Lakes asks: What are your favourite SPAM related recipes?

RunHammyRun says: Well as a vegetarian this question was pretty difficult to answer... however my favourite SPAM related recipe has to be SPAM-free Carrot Cake, although I am also partial to SPAM-free vegetable fajitas!!!

um asks: Well done ... what do you think about (if anything) between miles 10 and 90, when the start is done, and before the final sprint starts?

RunHammyRun says: Thank you. For those middle miles I just try to get in the zone and not think about very much. That can be hard, but I find it important as otherwise your mind can wander to things that waste energy, such as how far do I have to go? How much your body hurts and other negative thoughts. I try to be as positive as I can on the long races, so if I can’t think positively then I try not to think at all!

Pompey Paul asks: Congratulations on winning MOTM, TP100 and coming 3rd in SDW100 (despite the lack of jam sandwiches). So what is your favourite Centurion race and why?

RunHammyRun says: Thanks Pompey Paul, I think that my favourite centurion race has to be the SDW100. I absolutely love the route, as it is both beautiful and brutal and there is nothing better than spending a day on the Downs!!

I also have a special affinity for the event as it was my first 100 mile race and also I grew up and lived on the south coast for many years before moving to Bedford, so running on the South Downs always feels like coming home.