Pauline Gamble Kesek. WRR Member & Committee Chair Person
The latest member to be featured in the Members Profile Section is Chair Person Pauline Kesek.
Many of you will know Pauline as she is nearly always at training and ready to offer advice and encouragement.
What do you do for a living?
I have my own business working from home making curtains, blinds and soft furnishings.
When and why did you start running?
I started running in April 2009 having previously done absolutely no exercise whatsoever! I wanted to be fit before I reached my next milestone birthday and be able to run the Great North Run?
What is the best advice you have ever been given about running?
The best advice I have been given about running is to enjoy it! Sometimes, when I have had a bad run, or am struggling in training, I just remember that advice!
If you did not run what do you think you would do with your time instead?
I honestly dread to think how my life would be without running! I would probably be a grumpy middle aged lady doing obsessive housework and nagging!
When did you join Wrekin Road Runners and what does belonging to the club mean to you?
I joined Wrekin Road runners in March 2010. Since then I have met so many lovely, inspirational people. If I hadn't joined I know I wouldn't have done anywhere near as many exciting events and I have improved my speed and stamina owing to the fantastic support of the other members!
You always seem to be training, what is your favourite training session and where is your favourite place to run?
I enjoy every training session and hate having to miss any. However, my absolute favourite is the Wrekin runs. They are hard, challenging, very muddy at times, but so beautiful and great for improving running times!
If you could go for a run and chat as you do with any person from history or alive today who would it be and what would you ask them?
I would love to run and chat with Haile Gebrselassie! Why? Well, he is an awesome runner and I love his smile and that would just make me happy! I would ask him to be my mentor!
What running shoes do you wear?
I currently wear Nike zoom structure triax because I was told they last longer than Asics! So far I would agree! Although they are getting a bit smelly!
What is your favourite piece of running kit?
It has to be my brand new Shock Absorber sports bra, for obvious reasons, but also the colour is great (purple and turquoise) and looks good peeping out from my new, second favourite item - my orange Wrekin Off Road Runners thunder run vest!
Who or what inspires you and why?
I am inspired by people who are not athletes, but who do amazing things. John Bishop is top of that list for me! When I was running the Brighton marathon and struggling in the last 5 miles, I kept thinking of what he achieved and knew I could do it!
What is your favourite (go to) food or drink after you have finished a long run?
After a long run I enjoy chocolate milk shake and a banana! And after a hard run around the Wrekin, I particularly enjoy a pint of larger at The Cock and pork scratchings! Not ideal, but very nice!
What has been your favourite race to date and why?
My favourite race is a hard one as there have been so many I have loved (Race the Train, Mad Jacks 5, Thunder Run), but the one that I shall never forget was the ladies only La Rochambelle ( France's equivalent to the Race for Life) in Caen this year! 16,000 women wearing the same pink tops, running through streets lined with spectators! It was totally awesome and I have never experienced an atmosphere like it!
What event / race that you haven't done yet is on your bucket list?
The event that I would most like to do, but will probably never be able to afford to, is the Disney marathon in Florida! Running through the magic kingdom! Oh yes please!!
Do you ever listen to music when you run? If so what do you like to listen to to keep you going?
I very rarely listen to music when I run as I am too busy talking! However, when I was in Spain and forcing myself to run in the heat, I listened over and over again to Bruno Mars because his voice does strange things to me and took away the pain of running in the heat!
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen whilst out for a run?
Probably the funniest thing I have seen whilst running was 3 French men wearing only their boxers, cheering on 16,000 ladies at La Rochambelle and having their backsides slapped by several of the ladies as they passed! Couldn't imagine that happening at the Race for Life.
Many of you will know Pauline as she is nearly always at training and ready to offer advice and encouragement.
What do you do for a living?
I have my own business working from home making curtains, blinds and soft furnishings.
When and why did you start running?
I started running in April 2009 having previously done absolutely no exercise whatsoever! I wanted to be fit before I reached my next milestone birthday and be able to run the Great North Run?
What is the best advice you have ever been given about running?
The best advice I have been given about running is to enjoy it! Sometimes, when I have had a bad run, or am struggling in training, I just remember that advice!
If you did not run what do you think you would do with your time instead?
I honestly dread to think how my life would be without running! I would probably be a grumpy middle aged lady doing obsessive housework and nagging!
When did you join Wrekin Road Runners and what does belonging to the club mean to you?
I joined Wrekin Road runners in March 2010. Since then I have met so many lovely, inspirational people. If I hadn't joined I know I wouldn't have done anywhere near as many exciting events and I have improved my speed and stamina owing to the fantastic support of the other members!
You always seem to be training, what is your favourite training session and where is your favourite place to run?
I enjoy every training session and hate having to miss any. However, my absolute favourite is the Wrekin runs. They are hard, challenging, very muddy at times, but so beautiful and great for improving running times!
If you could go for a run and chat as you do with any person from history or alive today who would it be and what would you ask them?
I would love to run and chat with Haile Gebrselassie! Why? Well, he is an awesome runner and I love his smile and that would just make me happy! I would ask him to be my mentor!
What running shoes do you wear?
I currently wear Nike zoom structure triax because I was told they last longer than Asics! So far I would agree! Although they are getting a bit smelly!
What is your favourite piece of running kit?
It has to be my brand new Shock Absorber sports bra, for obvious reasons, but also the colour is great (purple and turquoise) and looks good peeping out from my new, second favourite item - my orange Wrekin Off Road Runners thunder run vest!
Who or what inspires you and why?
I am inspired by people who are not athletes, but who do amazing things. John Bishop is top of that list for me! When I was running the Brighton marathon and struggling in the last 5 miles, I kept thinking of what he achieved and knew I could do it!
What is your favourite (go to) food or drink after you have finished a long run?
After a long run I enjoy chocolate milk shake and a banana! And after a hard run around the Wrekin, I particularly enjoy a pint of larger at The Cock and pork scratchings! Not ideal, but very nice!
What has been your favourite race to date and why?
My favourite race is a hard one as there have been so many I have loved (Race the Train, Mad Jacks 5, Thunder Run), but the one that I shall never forget was the ladies only La Rochambelle ( France's equivalent to the Race for Life) in Caen this year! 16,000 women wearing the same pink tops, running through streets lined with spectators! It was totally awesome and I have never experienced an atmosphere like it!
What event / race that you haven't done yet is on your bucket list?
The event that I would most like to do, but will probably never be able to afford to, is the Disney marathon in Florida! Running through the magic kingdom! Oh yes please!!
Do you ever listen to music when you run? If so what do you like to listen to to keep you going?
I very rarely listen to music when I run as I am too busy talking! However, when I was in Spain and forcing myself to run in the heat, I listened over and over again to Bruno Mars because his voice does strange things to me and took away the pain of running in the heat!
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen whilst out for a run?
Probably the funniest thing I have seen whilst running was 3 French men wearing only their boxers, cheering on 16,000 ladies at La Rochambelle and having their backsides slapped by several of the ladies as they passed! Couldn't imagine that happening at the Race for Life.