Striders Spotlight: Bernadette Newby

Next up in the Striders Spotlight is Bernadette Newby. Bernadette has been a Strider since 2015. She has been one of the race directors for the Stampede for the past couple of years, one of the clubs run leaders and is also the clubs sustainability rep. Bernadette was also the very proud winner of the 2019 Strider of the year.

Bernadette Newby

Age

50

Occupation

I am an accountant by training but now work as an Account Director for a tech company. I look after public sector clients who use open book pricing methods so my accountancy background is still needed.

Reason you started running?

I bid on some personal training sessions with Mike Jubb in a school silent auction and won. At the time I was very overweight and mortified that I had won. He set me a Plan to get to 10k which I followed to the letter. I started in January and during week 3 it snowed heavily. I text Mike to ask ‘what do I do now?’ He responded ‘get your kit on and get out there and run!’ I ran my first 10k in 90 minutes - I’m happy to say I’ve improved since then. I also lost 4 stone through a mixture of running and dieting although one has deftly sneaked back on!

Favourite race distance?

10 miles on a nice flat road is my absolute favourite! You feel like you’ve really pushed yourself but you don’t die at the end like you do at the end of a half marathon!

Favourite running route and race?

The Stampede has to be my favourite race (obvs!) I love the atmosphere of the day. I ran it twice before I became RD - once on a team of 8 and once as a pair. This year the all day volunteers (RDs; catering and chief marshal) formed a team and ran throughout the day which was not only great fun but a fab way of making sure we spread the love to our amazing marshalling team!

My favourite route is actually the Helmsley 10k in North Yorkshire - the first 5k is up a brutal hill on road but the second half flies through the countryside and on the flat. It kills me every year but I love it!

Running goals?

I’ve been working on my speed. This year I have managed to get my parkrun times down from around 34 minutes to under 30. I can’t do it every week and On every course but it’s getting more regular so my goal is to get that consistent. I also want to run with the 10 Minute group more regularly without feeling like I slow them down. I’ve moved from the 11+ to 10:30 and occasionally manage the 10 minute group - I hope this lockdown doesn’t take me backwards!

How often do you train?

In a good week I do both striders sessions, a Cani cross parkrun and a longer run on Sunday. I try not to miss more than one of these especially Sunday as I like to earn my wine and chocolate on a Sunday evening!

What motivates you?

Running with my running buddies and the boy Newby motivates me! We do lots of races together and there is always someone at the end waiting to cheer me over the line. It is very rare the boy Newby isn’t at the finish line with my hoody! Striders has given me a wonderful friendship group that has grown and grown and grown - everyone is so supportive and inclusive. You’ve already seen this photo but it includes so many of my lovely running buddies that I can’t not include it!

Most memorable run/race?

I’ve been lucky enough to win London Marathon ballot places twice. When the ‘You’re in!’ Magazine fell on my door mat I shook uncontrollably for 5 minutes. The enormity of the task and the responsibility I felt for getting a place was terrifying! The second time i ran, on top of the normal Striders cheering posts, My family and amazing run buddies spread out along the parts of the course I knew I would find hard which was so motivating and really pushed me on. I was so happy to see them every time and am still apologising for the sweaty hugs they all got! I improved my time by a full 35 minutes!

Injuries?

I suffer with tight glutes and calves occasionally but am usually injury free!

Other hobbies?

I LOVE dogs! Really LOVE dogs! I have two rescue dogs that I have trained as best as possible. The younger one has lots of issues and so can’t run free - I have taught him to cani cross and he loves parkrun probably even more than I do! I apologise to all the Parkrun RDs that he has barked over at the start - he is always desperate to get going!

I also enjoy sewing and crochet. I used to make all the costumes for my daughters’s dance shows with the help of a team of mums! I’m currently crocheting a blanket to take up some of this lockdown time!

Guilty pleasure?

When the boy Newby is away I binge watch Say Yes to the Dress! I’m a particular fan of the U.K. ones but especially Lancashire with Gok Wan! It’s teaching me vital lessons for when I have to do this with my girls when the time comes!