Q: Please attach a picture, doesn't have to be of you if you don't want - but tell us here: what is the picture about?
A: This was the day recently that we took the dogs to the Rollright Stones, an ancient stone circle in the Cotswolds, near Chipping Norton where we live. I'm standing in front of the Whispering Knights, a burial place that would once have been earth covered. I'm dressed in my running kit because Mic, my partner left me there to run home.
Q: Tell us a little bit about you!
A: I'm in my 70s. I'm a writer, photographer, illustrator, Druid and, most important of all, mother and grandmother (one of my happiest runs was with my daughter and granddaughter). I ran in my teens till a road traffic accident left me with a fractured femur at age 19. Perceived wisdom at the time was that you couldn't run after such an injury, so I've spent most of my adult life only running to catch buses. I run for joy and never wear headphones (now c25k is over), preferring to connect with my surroundings: I never get bored while running, there's so much to see and hear.
Q: How long have you been a runner?
A: In my teens (when my running gear was bare feet or baseball boots and, often as not, a mini dress), and now for just 9/10 months.
Q: Did you start running with a C25K programme? Why or why not?
A: Yes. I had wanted to run again after getting my first tracker 3 or 4 years ago, but thought my injuries meant I couldn't. Then my daughter began c25k last August, and i could no longer hold myself back, and began the program last October. She introduced me to the c25k forum too. After the first 2 weeks of c25k, I went to see my GP to check it was ok to run. I'm pretty sure she's a runner herself. She told me running was the best thing for my injuries, that running gave you a fantastic endorphin rush, and to get my gait tested. To be honest, i think i would have kept on running even if she'd advised me not to.
Q: But what made you want to start running races?
A: I think it's a natural progression. I mostly run for enjoyment, but from time to time a focus is good and moves you on. Plus I haven't had the experience of public event running, so I'm excited about that.
Q: What's it like to run in your area?
A: Stunning scenery, hills, hills and more hills, some interesting footpaths and ancient salt ways, but some routes can be dangerous at certain times of day when you have to run sections of road with no footpath beside it and traffic coming at you at speed round bends.
Q: What is your favourite race event so far? And why?
A: I haven't done one yet, am doing the Blenheim charity 10k race in September.
Q: What are your favourite mid-race snack, and post-race meal?
A: Haven't done a race, but will probably take just an energy gel and a soya chocolate milk for after.
Q: Name a favourite running website (plus link, please!):
A: Run Mummy Run. I don't know if the link will work, as it's a closed Facebook group: bit.ly/2K7Jkln
Q: What's next for you, running-wise?
A: I want to keep building up my distance and letting my speed develop naturally. i have the 10k race in September, and want to do at least one HM next year. This is a journey that just keeps on unfolding, and it's tremendously exciting.
And it IS exciting, it's opened up so much that i thought i had lost forever, and made me so happy. 
xx
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