Striders Spotlight: Helen Cartlidge

In today's spotlight we have Helen Cartlidge. Helen joined Striders in 2005. Helen was the 2015 most improved female athlete and is often found at towards the top of race results winning medals.

Helen Cartlidge

Age

V35 (or more reluctantly V40!)

Occupation

Jeweller I make, repair, clean and value jewellery. I've made a few strider engagement and wedding rings. I enjoy making, creating and restoring pieces, I’m less keen on the boring but necessary admin.

Reason you started running?

I discovered I liked, and was quite good at running, at high school which was an enormous surprise to me, my family and the PE teacher, as I was (and still am) unbelievably pants at all other sports! After leaving school I was very ill with anorexia and was admitted to hospital and the Dr estimated I had 2 weeks to live. I spent 6 months in hospital and when I left I started running and going to the gym to try to regain control my weight again. After a while I realised that the numbers on the treadmill were just as important (or more) than the numbers on the scales, and it was a revelation that outdoor running was so much more enjoyable than the treadmill. I didn’t join a running club for ages because I thought I wouldn’t be good enough, now I would hate not to be part of a club!

Favourite race distance? 

Probably 10k. In a “normal” summer there are lots of chances to have a go at a 10k, with several local races and the midweek road races. Its not as intense as parkrun or track but short enough to do a few over the summer period.

Favourite running race/route? 

One of my favourites is Berkhamsted half. Its so pretty I can forgive the mean hills and its usually the week after Gade valley 17 so “only” doing 13 miles (on the same hilly roads) feels like a treat during marathon training. I also love Wheathampstead 10k and the Hatfield broadoak 10k. For training I like footpaths and routes around Mackeyre End, Wheathampstead and Childwickbury. I think we’re pretty lucky to be surrounded by countryside for running.

Running goals?

I haven’t had any pbs for years but I’m not willing to give up hope (maybe I should do some races of distance I haven’t tried before!) ...but I’m not actively targeting any at the moment (that means working much harder than I currently am!) I think my main goal at the moment is to keep momentum and I’m enjoying new routes. I need to do some faster and more unpleasant training if I want to improve though!

How often do you train? 

I’m not great or consistent about disciplining myself to run, so some weeks I might go out twice, some weeks its 5 times.

What motivates you?

At the moment I’m enjoying chasing strava segments (or improving my times on them) which is good motivation when you can’t race or train with other people. I love the social aspect of running and long runs are so much easier with friends to chat to.

I’m motivated by other peoples achievements, and the midweek and cross country league are good for testing myself against runners from other clubs.I often regret the runs I don’t do, but rarely come back from a run thinking it wasn’t worth doing. Also I am a little bit competitive with my sister.

Most memorable run/race?

Probably Abingdon marathon in 2015 when I got my pb. I had tried for 3 years to go sub 3.30, and missed it by 2 minutes, 4 minutes and 30 seconds. I felt like I was on target, but I wouldn’t let myself believe til I got to the track and saw the finish clock.I couldn’t believe it, I cried (thankfully after one of my more flattering race pics) It helped that my sister was hot on my heels for the first 19 miles, and that really pushed me to try and stay ahead . And a lady broke the record for completing a marathon with a baby in a pushchair. I managed to stick with her (and revel in the cheers meant for her) for about 16 miles, but she finished about 7 minutes ahead of me.

One of my other best moments was the stampede which I have done twice in a team of 4. Both times I have run further than I planned or thought I could. The final lap in the dark with team mates is great camaraderie, and usually involves fancy dress (thanks Stu!) and an in depth discussion about pizza.

 

Injuries 

Ive had ITB injuries before and last year I had an issue with my knee...but I’m hoping a period of laziness has sorted it out! Running seems like a cheap hobby unless you are injured!

Other hobbies 

As I mentioned I’m awful at other sports although I do some HIIT sessions or youtube work outs, and there is a family plank challenge happening during lockdown. I also like baking , and nerdy puzzles and quizzes. (I once auditioned for countdown but didn’t get through)

Guilty pleasures

Chocolate (specifically Lindors) and Diet coke.