Every Month we now feature one of the Sportlink team for a Q&A.
This month it's Kathryn Hammond.
When did you first start to run?
I have always run for as long as I can remember. I was a sprinter at school. Running in my early twenties, was just part of my fitness regime, alongside aerobics classes, swimming and cycling. My first competitive race, picture below, was The Lowestoft Scores Race, in 1997. Running really became my main sport after the birth of my son. When you only have small windows of time for yourself, it is easy to slip on your trainers and run around the block. My running journey progressed from there.
Kathryn Hammond 1997 - Scores race Lowestoft
What do you find to be the most rewarding thing about running?
The buzz that I get when I have finished a run, is one of the best things about running. It lifts my mood, clears my head and makes me feel ready to tackle the day. The running community and the amazing people I've met through running, is also a massive part of it.
What’s your biggest running achievement?
My biggest running achievement? Hmmmm, that's a hard one! I guess it's completing my first marathon, at Brighton, in 2012. Simply because of the commitment and level of training that is required for 26.2 miles. I loved every minute of it, the training went well, the race went to plan, the atmosphere was amazing and I was on a high for weeks afterwards.
What in the world motivates a person to run long distance?
I think there are many reasons why people run long distance but mainly because it poses a personal challenge or they run to raise money for a charity close to their heart.
What kinds of things do you think about as you run?
I never run with music. I think about all sorts of things when I run, such as my 'to do list', things that have happened during the day, how's my pace, am I going to make it up the hill without stopping?!
One the day of the big race…how are you feeling? Are you performing any superstitious rituals (like wearing the same unwashed socks you trained in for months)?
On race day I used to get very nervous and would used to joke with my sister about how many times we would visit the toilet before even leaving the house on race morning! I don't get that quite as much anymore. I think about my race plan, I know that I have trained and fuelled well, so I go into the race feeling more confident. I always have a little warm up but I don't have any superstitious rituals as such, I do however always wear my favourite Balega running socks, Brooks bra and a pair of comfortable pants!
What’s your next race?
My next race is Freethorpe 10 miler, the first of the Sportlink Grand Prix races, then Cambridge Half Marathon, in March.
What’s your favourite running shoe?
My current favourite running shoe is the Saucony Kinvara for road and Saucony Peregrine for the trails but I also used the Brooks Ravenna for many years. I wear a Brooks Glycerin for work, which is super comfy.
Who’s your running hero?
My running hero.....Neil Featherby of course!!!
What’s the best thing about working at Sportlink?
The best thing about working at Sportlink, is the team I get to work with. They are a brilliant crew, we work hard but also have a lot of fun along the way. Our customers are great too, all with their own stories and different reasons for running and without them, there would be no Sportlink. I get to talk about running all day, what's not to like?!