Carole Rowland

Carole Rowland is 72, and an inspiration to anyone thinking of taking up running. Building up from short runs to a marathon in just over a year, her enthusiasm is infectious. Now she not only runs, but cycles and swims too, and, yes she also has a few triathlons under her belt and is planning on another one soon. We met up with this lively septuagenarian to hear her story.‘I was 68 when I ran the London Marathon for the first time in 2006. I’ve always been active – playing netball and horse riding, but when I watched the marathon and saw all the camaraderie, I thought I’d like to try that too. I realised if I was ever going to do it, now was the time.

Building up slowly

‘I did all my training on my own. I run for Macmillan and they sent me a training manual. I started with very short runs at the end of 2005. They suggest you run for three minutes and walk for one minute, for a mile – and I couldn’t do it! But I built up slowly, and now I run 40 to 45 miles in a week, building up to stiff 20-mile runs before a marathon.‘So far, I’ve done the Great North and Great South Runs, the 2006 and 2007 London Marathons, the Chicago Marathon in 2008, the Great Wales, the Cancer Research Run and Ben Nevis. Last year, I did the Dublin 10K and was the fastest woman in my age group, so I was really chuffed. I’ve done several triathlons too. I don’t do the fastest time but I love being part of them. I’ve signed up to do the London Triathlon in June this year but am not sure I’ll be able to as a shoulder injury might make it too hard to get in and out of my wetsuit.‘I cycle as part of my training, and in May last year I was cycling to work when I was knocked off my bike and broke my shoulder into five pieces. At first, I was afraid I might never be able to run again, but I was back doing a 10K in Gloucestershire in September. I’ve had help with injury problems from cranial osteopath, Sally Lansdale (call 01568 610610 or visit www.leominsterosteopaths.co.uk), who has looked after me for 10 years. I couldn’t have done it without her. I suffered from shin splints at the beginning and have some lower back problems, probably caused by falling off horses when I was younger! I see Sally once every two or three months and always the week before a long race.

A good discipline

‘There are only about 320 people living in my village and I’m the only runner, so everyone knows me! I go out in the morning as soon as it’s light. There’s one flat bit but the rest is pretty hilly. I like the discipline of it, getting everything ready the night before, leaving my husband with a cup of coffee and setting off. I’ve never yet not completed a training run, except once when I got cramp in my calves.

Whatever the weather

‘I keep up my training even when it’s wet and cold. Hot weather is more of a problem. The 2007 London Marathon ran out of water, and in Chicago, in 2008, the temperature reached 90oF, which was frightening. Crossing the finishing line is the best thing; the elation carries me along for days!‘I sometimes ask myself if I’d still run if I didn’t have a goal like a marathon, and I think I would. I enjoy swimming too. I see people of my age who aren’t fit and I wouldn’t want to be like that. My best time so far is 5:42 and I’d like to beat that, but finishing is the main thing. I’m sometimes asked to give talks to groups like the Women’s Institute about the background to the marathon. It’s a marvellous event and I can’t bear to watch it on TV if I’m not there!’