Next up in the spotlight is Rich Evans. Rich joined Striders in 2016 and for the last couple of years has been the men's cross country captain. Last year Rich was the most improved male athlete and joint winner of the club champs.
Rich Evans
Age
37
Occupation
Head of Account Management for a Fintech
company (that’s financial technology if you didn’t know!). We provide tech solutions to entrepreneurial
companies in the payments, currency and gaming sectors. It sounds pretty boring but is quite enjoyable
at times!
Reason you started running?
I’ve always tried to keep fit and
would run a couple of times a week during my days of playing football when I
was living in Cardiff and London. But a
drunken pact with some friends back in 2012 to run the Snowdonia Marathon (only
2 of the 4 of us fulfilled the pact) meant I had to train properly and put more
hours in which I suprisingly enjoyed.
From that time I started running more and doing the local (hilly)
parkrun in Crystal Palace more regularly.
After moving to St Albans and looking for a club of some sort to join I
found Striders and can say it wasn’t too bad a decision!
Favourite race distance?
This one varies depending on where my head is at and whether I’m focused
on the stronger paced shorter distances, or the longer plods in the trails, so
I wouldn’t say I have a definitive favourite.
Last spring I really enjoyed running 10K races and the midweeks on the
comeback from injury. But then I’ve also
enjoyed 10 milers, half/full marathons and 50K trail events. I’m quite enjoying heading out and running to
feel at the moment so I think right now it would be something longer and
slower.
Favourite running race and route?
Being partial to a hill or two I do love the local Fred Hughes 10 and St
Albans ½ routes but my favourite has to be the Ashridge Boundary Run that’s
hosted every March, I ran it for the first time in 2018, have run it every year
since and will continue to if I can.
There’s been freezing temperatures, high winds (it was only one of a few
events that were put on that weekend in 2019) and this year it was a warmer day
but still wet, muddy and flooded in place, superb! It’s always good to see a bunch of Striders
there and Ashridge Estate is generally one of my favourite places to visit.
Running goals?
A general goal is to continue to stay fit and
injury free but this year the two running goals were to complete a 100 mile
event having signed up to the A100 in October, whether that goes ahead is
another matter. Also I was lucky enough
to get into the New York Marathon using my half time but again we’ll see
whether that happens. It would be great
to improve on my marathon PB in the Big Apple as New York is somewhere I’ve
never visited but has been on the travel wish list!
How often do you train?
On average my week usually consists of 4/5 runs (including a long Sunday
run my favourite of the week!), a cycle and a rest day where I’ll just do a
core session or nothing at all. During
lockdown my company have put on virtual core sessions three times of week
(HIIT, Bootcamp, Boxercise etc) which have been great but have definitely
uncovered an old footballing groin injury which I’m having to keep an eye on!
What motivates you?
My motivation definitely fluctuates but I’ve realised over time I do
need something to target regardless of what this may be. Whether it’s an upcoming race, improving my
PBs, or trying to take Macca’s segments on Strava…at the moment I’m just aiming
to keep above 40 miles a week whilst in lockdown.
Most memorable run/race:
This one’s quite an easy one to
answer. As a bit of a trail/ultra
running fan I’ve always wanted to have a go at the longer distance races and
have been biding my time before I commit to a standalone 50/100 miler etc. After joining Striders I saw that we hosted
the Stampede 12 hour lap event so thought I’d have a go at training for that
which I did in 2017. I managed 11 laps
(43/44 miles) but struggled in the heat, underestimated how to fuel, took too
many breaks, the list goes on and I’m sure this contributed to the injuries
that were to follow (more on that in the next question!), so all in all it was
a bit of a disaster. Fast forward to 2019
and I signed up to have another crack but decided not to take it too seriously as
I was fitting in half ironman distance triathlon and marathon training around
it. Somehow I managed to trot around pretty much the whole 12 hours (munching
on food all day), completing 18 laps (71/22 miles) and picked up the first male
prize which I was definitely not anticipating when I was manning the Heartwood
gate with Ivan at 7.30am! There are so many other memories from that day that
make it so memorable. Being joined by
close friends at the club Tim (Searle), Gareth (Parker), Mike (Martin), Nigel
(Aston) & Mike (Wadsworth) for buddy laps.
Running on the same course as Jack completing his 500th
marathon (and taking advantage to lap up his guard of honour before he completed
his milestone!), being alongside Wendy reaching her first marathon distance
milestone and witnessing Rose once again smash the Stampede. Not to mention the superb Striders support
around the course and on the marshal points. What a day…
Injuries
I thank myself lucky I haven’t had too many
injuries but after the Stampede in 2017 I picked up a knee tendon strain or
tear which put me out of action for a few months and then off the back of this
in early 2018 I was struck with the dreaded Plantar Fasciitis…diagnosed as
‘footwear related PF’ I may add. As a
heel striker I’ve always had to be strict in changing my running shoes when
they’ve had a good life and I start to feel any kind of foot aches/pain. Unfortunately I left it one too many runs and
ended up with chronic PF, ultimately requiring shockwave therapy to fix it
suffering for around 8 months!
Other hobbies
I like to cycle and am really trying my best to
find ways to enjoy swimming more. Last
summer I went to Denham/Merchant Taylors fairly frequently as part of triathlon
training and keen to do more of that when we’re able. I also like to get along to Clarence Park to
support St Albans City FC (the mighty Saints!) from time to time.
Separately
most of you know I’ve organised the Harpenden Half Marathon for the last two
years under quite extreme conditions. 2019 where we had severe winds resulting
in a gazebo in a tree and a female participant being blown over in a portaloo
(she did get cleaned up and went and won by the way…). And this year where the winds tried to cause
issues once again but a (very) late timing change and the amazing
marshals/participants accommodating the change meant the event could go ahead
safely and successfully. The two years
was enough so I’ve decided to pass on the #HarpHalf baton now as well as the
Striders XC captaincy and I’m looking forward to finding some new
hobbies…though having a swansong and playing Vets Football is becoming more
appealing!
Guilty pleasure?
I don’t watch that much TV (apart from sport)
these days but for some random reason I do love a bit of Made in Chelsea, no
idea why…but I do…
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