Today in the spotlight we have Mike Dando. Mike joined Striders in 2017 and for the last couple of years has been the clubs webmaster.
Age
46
Occupation
Head of Marketing for an energy company. Having never worked in the energy sector I
was surprised to learn there are over 60 companies that provide gas and
electricity in the UK. As I’ve got to
know the industry more it’s been eye opening to learn that over 50% of the
country are still with the big six and paying over £100 more than they need to
for their energy each year. If you want
to pay less for your energy Striders you know who to speak to… I do work in
marketing after all!
Reason I started running
I loved playing sport at school and like a
lot of people once you leave school you have less time and less people to play
sport with. I got into cycling about 10
years ago after I stopped playing football and loved it. I’d always hated running and always said I
was bad at it but when the weather gets cold and icy and being on two wheels
was less fun and even sometimes a little dangerous I decided to give running a
go to try and get some exercise and shift a few excess pounds. That was three and half years ago and I
started with a 2 mile run with the goal of not stopping, I was determined to
‘run’ the entire distance, not sure the pace I was moving at towards the end
could be considered running but it was definitely faster than a walk. Four weeks later I did my first parkun and
then 2 weeks after this on a slightly drunken New Years Eve at around 2am some
‘friends’ took advantage of my slightly inebriated state and convinced me that
I should sign up for the Snowdonia marathon as entries used to open at midnight
on New Years Eve. I signed up and had 10
months to curse them and try and prepare, this gave me a goal to work toward
and I joined striders and the run with striders programme in 2017.
Favourite race distance?
I’d say that my favourite distance is a
half marathon, I like the comradery of going to events with friends and a half
doesn’t require the huge commitment and preparation that a marathon does but
it’s still a good distance. I also
really enjoy running half marathons abroad as it’s a great opportunity to have
a long weekend and see new places whilst also doing what has always been a
fantastic event.
Favourite race and route?
I love trails (although I don’t get to run
them enough), running through the woods with the sun dappling through the trees
and a babbling brook to one side is idyllic.
If anyone knows any routes like this close by, please let me know. My favourite race is the Snowdonia marathon,
the course is tough but stunning the event is incredibly well organised the
atmosphere is amazing you have moments of being almost alone in the beautiful
welsh hills and then you get to Beddgelert at the halfway point and the entire
village is out and the support is amazing.
And the finish is epic, after a huge climb and a final decent you turn a
corner into the main high street and the entire finish is a mass of spectators
and a cacophony of noise, AMAZING!! I’d
thoroughly recommend this to all Striders it’s utterly brilliant and worth
every ounce of blood, sweat and tears.
Running Goals?
Every year I set myself some running goals
around PB’s for 5k, 10k, Half and Marathon, it helps me to have something to
aim for. This year I’d like to go sub 20mins
for a 5k, sub 45 for a 10km sub 1 hour 45 for a half and sub 3.45 for a
marathon. I think the last is the most
unlikely as without an event to train for I’m not doing the sort of training or
millage I’d need for this.
How often do you train?
I try to run at least 5 times a week but it
depends on work and family commitments.
I’m trying to get better at doing less junk miles and getting more
longer runs and hills and speed work in.
I’m missing Tuesday sessions at Striders as these always helped me to
push myself. Also the orange group which
I really enjoyed last year and again gave me focus and helped me push myself
harder than I would normally.
What motivates you?
Setting goals motivates me, having
something to aim for, PB’s, events, training plans, I’m a planner and like to
have something to aim for. Also just a
desire to stay fit and burn extra calories so I can indulge in a beer or a
G&T or two.
Most
memorable run/race?
I’m going to
cheat a little because there are two that I find it hard to choose
between. The first is he Snowdonia
marathon. It was my first marathon and
I’ve been lucky to run it 3 times now.
The course is hard but Snowdonia national park and the course are
beautiful. We also always make a weekend
of it so travel up on a Friday morning, run on the Saturday eat and drink
excessively after the race and then have a leisurely journey back on the
Sunday. It’s always a great weekend and a beautiful race. The other has to be the London marathon. The crowds are amazing and there are soooooo
many people at just about every point of the course. It also really helped that I had friends and
family (arranged by KT) and Striders cheering at various points on the course. I definitely went off far too quickly buoyed
by the crowds and was high fiving everyone I could like an over exuberant eight
year old. I’d trained really hard for
London and managed to get in under 4 hours but didn’t beat the sub 3.45 that I
really wanted, so it just gives me another goal to motivate me in the future.
Injuries?
I’ve been very lucky to have very few
injuries over the years and since I started running three years ago I haven’t
had anything that’s really stopped me running.
Other Hobbies
I love cycling but find it hard to make the
time to get out enough these days. I
also love board games although most of them will be things that I imagine most
Striders won’t have heard off. I also
love Snowboarding in season. I ‘m
desperately trying to get my two young girls interested in all 3 😊
Guilty pleasures?
I’m a celebrity get me out of here, if they
get the right celebs it can be hilarious.
No comments:
Post a Comment