Richard Sved
Age
48
Occupation
I’m a consultant working with charities, focusing on their fundraising, governance, strategy and communications.
Reason you started running?
I was a very keen team sports player as a kid but could never understand why anyone would contemplate running for any reason other than sprinting after a ball. I thought the cross country runners were fools. But a nasty knee injury in my mid-twenties meant I couldn’t play footie and so I mainly worked and ate food for the next ten years. I only discovered that I actually enjoyed running greater distances in my mid 30s, and try not to think to about all those years I missed, and how fast I could have been if my knees weren’t a bit rubbish. After running on my own for a bit, I joined Striders in 2010, but have missed quite a few years since then with various injuries. A theme may be developing here.
Favourite race distance?
I would have to say 5k as one of the event directors of St Albans parkrun, but actually it is! I love that it’s a sufficient distance for anybody of any ability to challenge themselves, but represents a real achievement for anybody getting into running. I’ve been involved with St Albans parkrun since the early days in 2012. I have volunteered literally hundreds of times, and have been co-event director since 2015. I’m proud of what we’ve created. Our average time has got slower each year, the bigger we’ve got -it’s become a real gateway to running for so many people. We changed the route because it was getting crowded, but you do still get to run around our lovely lake. A little known but relevant fact for you: the St Albans test event in 2011 was the “graduation” for the first St Albans Striders Get Started (now Run With Striders) cohort. Striders were involved from the very start and – talking of gateways – the parkrun has brought so many members to the club. It’s great to see.
Favourite race or running route?
One of the silver linings of lockdown for me has been getting out, running nice and slowly, trying to be a bit more aware of the world around me, noticing new things, and discovering new routes locally – paths, fields, alleyways – that I never knew were there. Get exploring!
I loved the London Landmarks Half Marathon. It’s a lovely, quirky route through the heart of the City, and it was special to me as my first serious run requiring actual training and all that, on returning from knee operations.
Shout out too to Graham’s Fly 5k virtual event, which has motivated me to test myself again. I’ve loved that, and enjoyed being part of that community.
Running goals?
I’m loving running at the moment, and long may that continue! I would like to get close to my 2013 5k time – I’m not that far away!
How often do you train?
Ideally, I’d get out three to four times a week. Striders worked really nicely for the two midweek ones, then a parkrun on a Saturday and a longer one on Sundays. That doesn’t happen so often but I have generally got out for at least three runs a week during lockdown, which has cleared my head wonderfully.
What motivates you?
I know I’ll never be the quickest so it’s mainly about competing with myself. It has been a long haul getting back from years out injured, but the light at the end of the tunnel, being able to run relatively quickly for me (and without pain), was my real motivation. I think in the meanwhile that I’d forgotten how much pushing yourself does actually hurt though!
Most memorable race or run?
My only marathon, which I did last September, was the Marathon du Medoc. It seems like a lifetime ago. A brilliantly enjoyable fancy dress “run” through French wine region chateaux with over 20 wine stops, not to mention steak, oysters, and ice cream. They call it the longest marathon in the world because by the time you finish you’re probably not going in a straight line!
Injuries?
I completely ruptured my anterior cruciate ligament in 1996, and even though I was fine running in straight lines and on flat surfaces, it troubled me for many years. It’s finally been sorted now (touch wood) with two operations in 2015 and 2016. I’m the most accident-prone person I know but 2019, and 2020 have so far, passed by without incident.
Other hobbies
I’ve had the joy and misery of supporting Arsenal since 1978, and as a season ticket holder since 1995, but will say no more about that. Apart from parkrun tourism with my wife Kate (also a Strider), reading and theatre, I love playing my cornet, and play in the St Albans City Band and also from time to time in the St Albans parkrun Band, which features a fair few Striders.
Guilty pleasure
I love nothing more than dancing, as anybody who’s witnessed my strenuously joyful efforts as Striders dinners will testify. It’s my happy place.
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