In the spotlight this weekend we have Kate Tettmar. Kate joined Striders in 2014 and many of you know her as one of the event directors at Heartwood and now Jersey Farm Parkrun.
Kate Tettmar
Age
49
Occupation
By profession I’m a Clinical Scientist in Microbiology/Virology. I’m the Laboratory Manager for the specialist virology and microbiology laboratories in NHS Blood and Transplant. This has been an especially interesting and challenging time as I’m involved in the COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma programme and as such I’m leading on the evaluation and on-going validation of antibody tests within NHSBT, and was part of the team who implemented antibody testing of plasma donors. I’m also responsible for implementing SARS-CoV-2 RNA testing within my own department. My profession is very topical currently!
Reason you started running?
I started running when I was 34 after being hounded endlessly to run with a work colleague at lunchtimes. Up until then my main form of exercise had been limited to working out at the gym, playing squash and playing tennis (really badly) with colleagues in the local park, so I wasn’t particularly fit! I eventually gave in to my work-mate, started running more and more and eventually joined St Albans Striders in 2014 as part of the Run with Striders course after being given a leaflet at parkrun, and haven’t looked back since!
Favourite Race Distance?
Ultramarathon distances. I enjoy the many challenges associated with Ultra distances and really like the friendliness and camaraderie in Ultra events. The furthest I’ve gone is 100km, but I haven’t done anything too technical yet with the hardest being the London 2 Brighton Ultra across the North and South Downs. I’ve completed 7 Ultras and would have done 2 more by now if it weren’t for COVID-19.
Favourite Race and Route?
Definitely the Stampede. I love the concept, the friendliness, the fantastic organisation, and the surroundings around Heartwood Forest and Nomansland Common. I’ve completed 4 Stampedes improving my distance with each one. Last year I completed 13 laps (52 miles).
Running Goals?
Ultimately to complete a 100 mile ultra. I need to get more experience in the shorter Ultras first though, so in the meantime I’m also trying to improve on my speed and in the last year I’ve made significant improvements on my 5K, 5 mile, 10K and 10 mile PBs. Just half marathon and marathon to go!
How often do you train?
I normally run 6 days a week, and I also attend Wendy’s Pilates class. Pre-COVID-19 I also went to the gym for strengthening work twice a week and played squash regularly, with a yoga session thrown in every so often. During COVID-19 my S&C has been a lot more erratic though, mainly due to work commitments.
What motivates you?
I really enjoy exploring. I love going out on a long run with a vague route in mind but following trails and public footpaths as I find them to discover new routes. I think it’s a great way to de-stress by disappearing for hours into the countryside discovering new trails and refueling on chocolate (orange kitkats are my current favourite running fuel).
I also love parkrun. Trying to beat my PBs on different courses motivates me to improve my speed. What motivates me even more is to see other people improve their confidence or physical and mental wellbeing by walking, jogging, or volunteering at parkrun. I was the Event Director for Heartwood Forest parkrun, and now Jersey Farm parkrun when we had to relocate.
Being an Event Director means I need to keep things ticking over and there can be a surprising amount to do behind the scenes, especially with a high-maintenance event such as Heartwood Forest. I try and balance running and volunteering at parkrun, including sometimes being the Run Director and often being the photographer.
Most memorable run/race?
Without a doubt the London 2 Brighton 100K ultra which I completed in May last year. It was a tough and long (!!) event in very hot conditions. Although the last 10K was very slow and painful I did enjoy the event. I couldn’t have done it without my husband Richard Underwood supporting me along the route, the Jersey Farm core team and the rest of my friends supporting me virtually via Messenger, Facebook etc.
Injuries?
I’ve had quite a few injuries and lots of niggles. They likely stem from my having a scoliosis (curvature of the spine). My torso is very wonky so I have an uneven pelvis and rotated hips, combined with hypermobility means I have a lot of problems in my legs. I have chronic plantar fasciitis, piriformis syndrome, and runners’ knee. I also suffer a lot of with very tight calves and hip flexors. I also managed to get a groin/abdominal strain during an interval session once which stopped me running for months. I’ve been doing Pilates for 13 years to help my back, and now attend Wendy Walsh’s Pilates class which along with regular S&C sessions and yoga helps stop the niggles from turning into full blown injuries. I have quite a repertoire of pre-hab exercises to do from various sports therapists. I’m really missing Mike Jack’s sports massages currently!
Other hobbies?
I’m really into photography. Since I started distance running I haven’t had much time to spend on photography other than taking a few pictures whilst running and posting them on Strava. Before I discovered marathons and Ultras I was a keen film photographer which included processing my own black and white film at home.
My favourite film cameras are my Leica M3, Rolleicord TLR medium format and MicroPress large format, all from the 1950s. I especially enjoyed landscape or urban photography with these cameras. I’ve had a couple of urban photos published in a film photography book.
Guilty pleasures?
Watching reruns of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Also chocolate from Hotel Chocolat.
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