Ali Hills
Age
39
Occupation
Solicitor-Advocate. When I first qualified as a Solicitor, I specialised in mental health law and I would often travel to high-secure psychiatric units such as Broadmoor and Ashworth Hospitals and represent clients who had been detained under the Mental Health Act.
I now specialise in medical law and I find it such a diverse, interesting career. One day I could be dealing with a delayed cancer diagnosis, the next a baby who has suffered brain damage from a traumatic birth and the next, ophthalmic surgery. No two cases are ever the same and each one has its own challenges.
Reason you started running
A few years ago, I suffered a number of traumatic incidents within a short period of time including the death of my Mum to a rare and untreatable illness. It hit me hard and I spiralled into quite severe depression. I was unfit, overweight and drinking too much.
One day, I woke up and decided that I needed to sort my life out so I signed up to a rather gruelling challenge; the Rat Race. The only way I can describe this is like “Tough Mudder on drugs”. It’s 20 miles long and has 200 obstacles. I decided that it would be good motivation for me to get my butt into gear and especially if it was for charity.
However, when I signed up, I hadn’t even run so much as a 5k so thought that I really needed to learn how to run so I joined up with Athena and a few months later, Striders. My love for running grew as I could see the benefits both physically and mentally. I made a lot of lovely new friends so carried on and here we are now; 4 dress sizes down, 10 half marathons and (almost!) 2 full marathon’s later. I think it’s safe to say that running has changed my life.
Favourite race distance
Definitely the half marathon! These days I am finding that it takes me a good 5 miles to get into my “pace” so it’s a perfect mix of both pace and distance. Tough enough to push yourself but not so tough like a marathon that you are dying at the end and walking like John Wayne for days afterwards.
Favourite running route and race
Training wise, I love the lanes/ Fred Hughes route, Gorehambury and Heartwood Forest. For races, there are 2 which really stick in my mind. The London Landmarks was so much fun! It was the first race I did without any music and I’m so glad that I did! There was so much entertainment en-route; bongo drums, dancers and the infamous “rave tunnel” and to be presented with my medal at the end from a Chelsea Pensioner really was something special!
I also love the St Neot’s Half route- especially the last 3 miles which are downhill so you can really go for it!
Running goals
I am determined to get a sub 4 in a full marathon. I know that I have it in me and I don’t think I am too far off as I have managed to get my half time down to 1:52-1:55 on average and managed a 10k PB on Easter Sunday whilst in lockdown in a time of 46:52!
I was due to run Brighton this year but it has been postponed until September. I don’t think that I will achieve a sub 4 then but hopefully by the time of the Milton Keynes Marathon in May 2021 ( which I had actually only signed up for as a “back up” for Brighton but now I am doing both…)
Not too fussed about my 5k or 10k times as I now consider myself definitely to be more of a “distance” runner than a sprinter. Maybe one day I’ll even do an ultra…
How often do you train
Every day! My PT is also my ski coach and I do strength & conditioning sessions with him online 3 times a week. I am also running every day at the moment with a mix of short and long distance, easy paced, tempo runs and sprint sessions. In between that, I’m also doing online “zoom” fitness classes including core sessions, Yoga and Pilates. It’s good to mix things up to keep things interesting!
What motivates you
I am horribly competitive with myself and always like to push myself. There is always something new to learn and improve on whether it’s technique, strength, distance or time.
Most memorable run/race
There are 2 which really stick out in my mind. The first being the Edinburgh Marathon. It was my first full marathon and all was going well up until the 20 mile point and then I hit “the wall” both physically and mentally. I was in absolute bits at around mile 24, almost in tears and didn’t think that I could finish it. However, I saw some fellow Striders shortly afterwards who cheered me on, and that gave me the motivation I needed just at the right time! The sense of achievement when I finished was out of this world!
The second most memorable race was the “Ragnar Relay” challenge. I was in a team of 10 which was mixed up of both Athena and Striders members and between us, we ran 170 miles over the course of a weekend non-stop. This involved solo runs in fancy dress at midnight, ridiculous undulations over cliffs and absolutely stunning coastline views at sunrise. Equally scary and exhilarating!!
Injuries
I am the most accident prone person in the world and strangely, I haven’t had any injuries whilst actually running. However, the day after we got back from the Striders weekend away, I decided to get on an electric scooter down the Alban Way (as you do), fell and sprained my ankle. I was out of action for weeks afterwards!
I have also managed to injure myself a few times whilst away skiing too. Broken ribs, broken arms, torn ligaments but again this wasn’t actually whilst skiing. The first time I broke my arm, it was whilst watching the bobsleigh and I slipped on some ice!
Other hobbies
I am a keen ski racer and part of the GBR Masters team.
Last year, I had the proudest and funniest moment in my ski racing career in the course of one weekend. I achieved 2nd place overall for the Masters World Cup for my age group and was awarded with a beautiful Crystal Globe. However, I took the celebrations a little too far (deciding that said Globe was a better Prosecco holder than trophy) and proceeded to lose it. It turned up the next day whilst I was en route to the airport underneath a statue of Jesus. To this day, I have no idea how it got there…
Guilty pleasure
As a teenager, I was a little obsessed with Take That and saw them many times in concert. My bedroom was adorned with posters and t-shirts of them and although this is no longer the case, I have been known to still blast out a few TT tunes whilst cleaning my flat at the weekend. It’s a good job that I live alone (perhaps this is why….!)
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