The Royal Parks Foundation competition

Penny Harris, 41, mum to Cameron, 6, Sophia, 5, Sebastian, 3, and step-mum to Francesca, 23, and step-nan to Dominic, 5, is a business owner from North Devon, and won two places in The Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon this October, courtesy of Mizuno.

When did you start running?

I’m engaged to Chris, a very supportive partner who loves the fact I started running as a bet with him in 2008. I haven't stopped since. I’m now a member and qualified leader of the Barnstaple Women's Running Network.

How did you feel when you won the competition?

Excited! Once I checked out it was real... I never win anything and didn't believe it to start with.

Who did you run with?

My friend Tina Orr Munro, another member and leader of the Barnstaple Women's Running Network.

How did you find your Mizuno trainers?

We both loved them. It’s the first time either of us have tried Mizuno trainers. Tina prefers the blue ones, Wave Musha 2, I prefer the white ones, as Wave Alchemy 10 offers more support for me. They are really comfortable shoes and I will definitely look for them again. I completed a five mile training run and Bideford 10 mile in my shoes and then used them for the Royal Park's Half and had no issues with my feet, no sore bits, no blisters, nothing, they’re really great shoes.

Are you a regular runner?

Yes, I normally run three times a week anywhere between three and eight miles, and longer on some training runs.

Are you a regular reader of Women’s Running magazine?

I am, it's delivered to my front door every month and I love reading it.

Have you ever done any races or events before?

I have done several 5Ks and 10Ks in and around Devon. I completed my first half marathon in Bristol this year, then did the Bideford 10 miler, and then Royal Parks Half Marathon. This is the furthest I have travelled yet for an event.

How much did you train?

I do three runs a week, two five to six mile runs during the week and an increasingly long run every Sunday, building up to a full 13-mile run two weeks before Bristol half and then tapered off. I continued with a couple of five mile runs between Bristol and Bideford 10 mile, and then nothing in the week leading up to London.

And for how long?

I did the half marathon training over a three-month window, but had a good base to start from. I will be continuing with the long runs over winter and looking to enter Bideford Half in March.

What was the day like -did you enjoy the race- and was it a good event?

The day was awesome. Making our way across London to the start and walking round a corner to be greeted with the quietness of the park away from the traffic, to suddenly being amongst thousands of others runner with a buzzing atmosphere. I loved the race. I left my water bottle at home and as I always run with it I felt odd and uncomfortable, so I took my camera with me and took pictures on the way round to show my three children when I got home, and it has given me some lovely pictures and memories to be able to look back at. The event was brilliant and we would love to come back and do it again, definitely one for the diary and the sweeties on the way round were a bonus! The orange tech t-shirts made of bamboo were brilliant and the design on them was great. The wooden leaf medals were so different, a piece of the parks to treasure.

What time did you do?

2.39.13

Did you find it easy?

I wouldn't say a walk in the park but it was OK, not as hilly as the routes I'm used to in North Devon. It was very warm and I got cramp at 10 miles, which passed after walking a short distance so I was able to finish running.

How do you feel post-race?

On top of the world! My quads were very tight and I was slow moving (as my fiancé Chris put it) in the couple of days after the event -the four hour car journey back to North Devon didn't help. It was such a lovely event though, to be able to run around parts of London you normally wouldn't be able to, the atmosphere, the people, the weather, everything was wonderful.

What advice would you give to any ladies out there keen to try their first event?

Believe in yourself; if you think you can do it have a go. Build your mileage up gradually and steadily in the weeks and months ahead of the event and start with an open mind. Don't push to get a certain time, go with the aim of completing the distance at a pace you are comfortable with and most of all enjoy it.