This weekend's spotlight is on Clair Drage. Clair joined striders in 2014 and for the past few years has been doing a brilliant job as the clubs champs manager.
Age
35
Occupation
Transport planner specialising in development planning. I help developers to get planning permission by undertaking their transport assessments and travel plans.
Reason you started running?
I was forced to run at school but hated it and still didn’t enjoy it when I went to Uni and was forced to run in our rowing training. I started running in 2008 when I thought it would be a good idea to sign up to the Windsor half marathon as our company were a silver sponsor, despite not even running a 5k before. Some things never change. After Windsor I didn’t run again for a few years and then in 2011 had another stupid idea that I wanted to run Brighton marathon a few weeks after attempting to climb Kilimanjaro with British Military Fitness to raise some money for Malaria No More. After that I kind of gave up running again (after a bit of an injury) until I read about the Run with Striders course in 2014. I’d always been scared to join a running club but it’s the best thing I’ve ever done, I’ve met such a great bunch of people!
Favourite Race Distance?
Tough one, I like seeing myself get faster at 5ks but marathons and ultra marathons are where the real fun and adventure are for me. For me the long distances aren’t about being fast, they’re about meeting people and having a laugh while pushing yourself to see how far you can go.
Favourite Race and Route?
Probably the St Albans Stampede, it’s such a great low-key race with amazing support.
Running Goals?
At the moment not a lot. My long term goals are to get my 5k under 23 minutes, my half marathon to sub 1.50 and my marathon closer to 4 hours but I’m a long way off at the moment. Pre-covid I had a crazy idea to try and run 100 marathons by the time I was 40 but I’ve dropped that now. I have a couple of long distances races for later in the year that look like they’re going ahead as they’re pretty small and low key so I’d better start some proper training for those.
How often do you train?
Usually 3 times per week plus some core work but it depends on how I’m feeling. I’ve stopped forcing myself to go for a run if I’m not in the mood for it or if I’ve got a few niggles, learnt that the hard way.
What motivates you?
Meeting new people and having incredible adventures. Also having so many Striders to look up to, who all either make me want to run faster or who give me crazy ideas about races I should enter next!
Most memorable run/race?
Another difficult one, there are so many. I love the St Albans Stampede, having done it twice now. In 2017 it took place on my birthday weekend and despite me saying I was going to stop early in the afternoon, I was ‘persuaded’ by friends to keep going and eventually came 2nd. The only time I’ve ever got a trophy, so I was immensely proud.
My second favourite is the Ridgeway 86 and it follows the whole length of the ridgeway from Ivinghoe Beacon right down to Avebury – in one go. I attempted it in 2018 and only got to about 55 miles before having to pull out. While I didn’t finish I had the best day running ever, I met a wonderful group of girls and we ran most of the way together. It was just the best fun and a real sense of adventure.
Injuries?
Nothing too serious, mostly just little niggles. The worst was probably a fair few years ago when I tore my adductor while training for a marathon, think that was the cause of me giving up running for a couple of years.
Other hobbies?
I don’t really have much time for other hobbies, although I’ve just bought a road bike so cycling may become a new hobby.
Guilty pleasures?
None really
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