Why did you join W.D.A.C?
Because I’d been running the ‘Race for Life’ since 2000, training
maybe for 6 weeks before then carrying on until it got a bit
wintery, I was aware of how much better I felt when I did run but
found I couldn’t keep up the enthusiasm to run on my own all
year. So I suppose I was looking for encouragement, guidance and
consistency.
As you are a new club member, what do you like about this club?
From the first time I arrived at the club for the beginners course
I felt very welcome and I was delighted to discover that most
members share my own ethos in life which involves a fun attitude
and enjoyment of the occasional alcoholic beverage….or more.
Had you done much running before joining our club?
I suppose I must have done some running at school although I have
no memory of that. When I joined the Kent Police force in 1978,
the first week of training included a compulsory 1 mile run, in
plimsoles (running shoes? What were they?!). I honestly thought
I was going to die. A few years later I met twins who were Kent
Junior Athletic champions who encouraged me to run my first 5k in
Hyde Park. I was in my early 20s then and although I struggled to
keep up, I quite enjoyed running without the death threat I’d felt
previously. Nearly 20 years passed before I got into the ‘Race
for Life’ mentality which was a great way to ease my body into a
more active routine.
Did you find the early training sessions easy or hard?
The early sessions were easy for me as I was able to run a mile,
maybe two, quite easily by then so the stop/start training was, to
be honest, a doddle. Also, because of my Laughter work and
singing experience, I have a strong set of lungs and an effective
breathing technique which I feel has been a help.
Once we started longer distances and the dreaded speed work, well,
I wasn’t quite so cocky then!
Do you have any favourite races or distances you like to run?
So far the longest distance I’ve run is the 6.8 (?) miles around
Pitsford. I was surprised at how comfortable I found that.
Having now run 5 miles on several occasions (with the group and on
my own) I feel confident at that distance and am still adamant
that I won’t be enticed into anything longer: We’ll see!
You are also a committee member, do you think you might influence
any changes within the club?
Can’t say I’ve noticed the need for any changes but if I feel
strongly enough about an issue you can be assured I’ll put my
point forward and I feel confident that I would be listened to and
shot down in flames by my fellow committee members. Only joking.
They’re a great bunch of people and I’m delighted at having the
opportunity of working with them, and for the club, in this way.
A few
more personal questions
What do you do for a living?
I am an Empowermentalist, working with individuals, groups and the
corporate world promoting the understanding that the way we think
creates the way we feel and the way we feel affects the way we
think.
Through my company, The Laughter Lady, I give one-to-one coaching,
seminars and workshops, specialising in the use of Laughter, Fun
and Self-Awareness for enhanced Health, Communication skills &
Lifestyle.
Do you have a favourite food?
I adore fruit and am passionate about eating bananas with almonds
and/or brazils. It’s the texture you know. Other than that,
anything that smells and tastes sumptuous is fine by me.
What has been your most embarrassing moment (so far)?
Recently I did the famous ‘tucking my skirt in my knickers’ trick
after visiting the loo in a local restaurant. I was just so
grateful I’d worn my posh underwear!
You have your own website, did you build it yourself, and do you
update it yourself?
My website was built by a very dear friend, Steve, who took me in
hand when my poor business skills meant I ignored the need for
such an essential piece of marketing equipment. I supplied the
text and he did a brilliant job of putting together an easy to
navigate and fun looking web presence.
As far as updates are concerned, I just e-mail what’s needed to
Steve who then does the technical bit. I do have two Blogs which
I do update myself as they’re so easy peasy to work with although
all due credit must again go to Steve for setting up the links to
and from my web site, speaking of which:
www.laughterlady.co.uk
What has been your biggest sporting achievement so far?
Receiving the ‘Best Improver’ trophy from my Dog Agility Club a
couple of years ago; in recognition of the improvement in my dog
from one that couldn’t be let off the lead in training (because
she’d either disappear or pick on another dog) to one who got a
clear round rosette for her first competition (no collar &
certainly no lead).
Many clear round rosettes later, we gained 8th place
recently in a jumping competition.
You are always smiling, what is your secret, can you bottle it and
can we all have a share?
Smiling is all about feeling good which is all about choice. My
background is one of depression (childhood through to early 40s),
a mindset I have no wish to live with again. I smile because I
enjoy the feeling it gives me and the positive reaction I get from
others. Can you all have a share? Of course, remember it’s a
matter of choice so choose to smile and also remember that a smile
is the beginning of Laughter. Enjoy.
Do you have any sporting hero’s?
Hmm, so many amazing people out there with such dedication and
focus on their sport, I find it hard to pick anyone in particular
although I do have a soft spot for (please don’t cringe), Torville
and Dean. I adore dance of most kinds and think it an achievement
for anyone to just stand up in ice skates let alone do lifts and
jumps. My main admiration for them is how they gained the hearts
of so many around the world. They took their skills on ice, mixed
it with the medium of dance and not only created a performance
with which to win but also to entertain and I feel it was their
giving to the audience that endeared me to them (or is it endeared
them to me?).
