Our own heroes
If you picked up a copy of the July issue of Women’s Running, you’ll see we featured some impressive men who have encouraged and inspired us to keep running. We also have our own running heroes in the office here at Women’s and Men’s Running magazines. Here’s the office males we work with day in, day out, who inspire us to keep on running!
Danny CoyleEditor, Men’s Running30-year-old Danny has run the London Marathon several times and the Loch Ness Marathon, plus 10ks and the Great South Run. ‘It’s something I really enjoy and feel like a bit of a slob if I haven’t been out for a few days,’ he says. ‘Long term, I want to be fit enough to run a race with my first baby when they’re old enough, so I want to stay in shape for years to come.’
Graeme HilditchWR contributor and personal trainer33-year-old Graeme from Cirencester balances a busy work schedule with his love of running. ‘I have an erratic running schedule, as I sometimes run up to 12 miles a day with clients, leaving me little time to run “for myself.” Running is incredibly important to me, but I’m not obsessed like I was. Now I have a small family and a very busy work schedule, there aren’t enough hours in the day for me to run as often as I’d like to, without neglecting my family. I think it’s important to get a balance in everything in life.’
Dan RobertsWR contributor and personal trainerDan, aged 34, lives in London and also runs his own personal training business. He got into running when he was an ‘unfit’ 13-year-old and has taken part in sprint triathlons competitions and ultra marathons. And he’s humble too. ‘A couple of years ago was training very hard for the quite ridiculous six day / 151 mile race in the Sahara ‘Marathon de Sables’ – but I totally over-trained which caused me to pull out of the event. It taught me that you really have to listen to your body when running not just ignore it no matter what.’
Ben LuskSales Executive, Women’s and Men’s RunningBen, aged 23, lives in London and started running at school. He caught the running bug when he joined Women’s and Men’s Running magazines and runs mostly on road and the trails. ‘I’m a pretty keen footballer and running helps me get around the pitch for the full 90 minutes. I ran the Brighton Half this year in 1:34, although that nearly killed me.’
Xavier RobledaArt Director, Women’s RunningXavier turned 40 this year and lives in Beckenham but originally comes from Beziers, South of France. He runs two to three times a week. A former BMX champion in France, Xavier has had major surgery on both knees and despite occasional stiffness in his joints, he still manages to take part in half marathons, taking part in Run To The Beat two years running. ‘I try to mix up treadmill sessions at the Fitness First next door to the office with an outdoor run on Sundays. I like running early in the mornings when the streets are empty and I always take my trainers with me on holiday.’ He is also supporting his wife to run again after a break and the pair have been doing trail circuits together near their home.
Ben WalshWR contributor and personal trainer35-year-old Ben is a martial arts full contact athlete who uses running to help him get fit for his sport. He has completed a triathlon and several 10K runs and uses sprinting and high interval training sessions to boost his fitness. He strongly believes in strengthening balance and core to improve your running and recently trained WR Editor Christina Macdonald.
Why we rate him:
He doesn’t talk himself up – he just gets on with it.Top tip:
Enter a race to stay motivated and stick to the training plan.Why we rate him:
He balances his running with his family life.Top tip:
Use training plans as a rough guide rather than feeling like you have to follow them to the letter.Why we rate him:
Anyone who can run ultra marathons gets our admiration!Top tip:
Drag some friends out with you. And keep reading Women’s Running!Why we rate him:
He’s quietly confident and just gets on with it!Top tip:
Find a routine that works for you and commit to an event.Why we rate him:
He’s fast but doesn’t brag about his race times (he quietly completed Run To The Beat Half Marathon in 2009 in 1:49).Top tip:
Invest in good trainers and don’t forget to stretch.