New ! May 24 Article

This month meet our very own “Iron” lady Vicky Dowling. Fuelled by cobalamin, Vicky modestly forgets to mention shorter distance achievements.

I NEVER thought I would be a ‘runner’. I remember crying my way through the school cross country and dropping out of those dreaded bleep tests ahead of most of my peers. My journey into running started at the age of 29, motivated by a desire to get fitter and adopt a healthier diet. I will never forget how hard it felt initially – merely completing half a mile felt like an achievement, and I vividly recall the pride I felt after completing my first ever Parkrun.

Ironically, my pursuit of better health began making me ill and took a toll on my fertility. Drastically reducing fat intake led to me unknowingly under-fuelling my body for the exercise I was undertaking, resulting in secondary amenorrhoea. Desiring children, I had to stop running and prioritise proper nutrition for successful fertility treatment.

After welcoming three children into my life, the demands of being a working mum left little time for running. However, with the onset of the Covid pandemic in 2020, I found myself returning to running, recognising the importance of carving out time for myself amidst the chaos. I was supported by Lucy, a fellow member of the WRC, who helped me gradually increase my distance. Joining the WRC in April 2021 introduced me to many more fantastic running buddies, who inspired me to keep progressing. The idea of running a marathon never appealed to me, yet witnessing the achievements of fellow WRC members sparked a newfound ambition, leading me to complete three marathons in 2023 and achieve my PB at Abingdon in October.  

My most memorable experience this year is participating in The Grizzly along with four other WRC members. Despite initially dreading the 20 miles of hills and mud, it turned out to be the most enjoyable event I’ve ever done, and I hope to participate again next year. Although a loyal member of the WRC, I can usually be found running events in my “Fostering for Wiltshire” top raising awareness of the need to recruit more foster carers.

Nowadays I fuel my body properly (perhaps a little too well with all the chocolate and cake) and I keep on top of iron and B12 levels, deficiencies which are common amongst runners. I am passionate about speaking out about issues affecting female runners and encouraging others to look after their health.

April 24 Article

This month meet Kris (with a K) Rivers.  From Kovid to kompeting in lokal events and killing his PB times, here is his story:

Life sometimes throws curve balls, leading to unexpected places. For me, that place was running. The first curve-ball? The COVID lock downs. Stuck at home, I needed an outlet. That’s when I started running.

Between 2020 and 2022, life was very challenging, not just because of the pandemic. Running became more than just exercise; it became a sanctuary. It was a chance to put on my headphones, tune out the world, be out in the fresh air and simply feel free.

Looking to push myself further, make friends, and get to know local people. I joined the Warminster Running Club in January 2023. It was the perfect combination – training support and a fantastic group of people!

With their encouragement, I completed my first official Half Marathon in Bath last October with a time of 1:45! The Longleat 10k hills were next, and recently the Bath Half again with a time of 1:39! A full marathon is definitely on the horizon, and who knows what other events await?

Looking back, I never imagined running would become such a big part of my life in such a short space of time. Here’s to new challenges this year, supportive running communities, and the incredible feeling of freedom and focus that comes with every stride!

March 24 Article

New to WRC, each month we will be posting a members blog where members will tell you a little about themselves. This month we would like to introduce you to Jody, if you want to know about local history, Roman ruins of Warminster or how to make a crop circle, then Jody has the answers:

My name is Jody and I live in Warminster with my husband, two grown up sons, one teenage son and two crazy spaniels.

I first started running in my thirties when I had just half an hour without children to get out and exercise the dog and myself. I began by run/walking for a mile, then running a mile and built up the distance until I was running 7 miles around the woods several times a week.  I found myself feeling elated that I could do something I never dreamt I could, luckily the dog loved it too!

I joined the running club in 2022 when I was no longer required to take children to clubs on Wednesday evenings. I especially enjoy the off road runs we do in the summer when the evenings are lighter, but I like the interval sessions too and they have improved my fitness.  Belonging to the club motivates me to get out on dark, wet evenings when it’s tempting to curl up by the fire, but I always feel better for getting out for a run and a bit of conversation.

Trail running is always my favourite, especially with my dogs and husband.  I really enjoy just travelling through the landscape spotting wildlife and looking at the views.  Happily, my regular running buddy Kate also loves nature, so our long runs quickly pass while we chat and identify which species we’ve seen.  Kate helped me to train for the Imber Ultra in March 2022, which is the race I am most proud of completing and I really enjoyed every minute.  I surprised myself on how far I could run, and my longtime ambition is to do a 50 mile ultra.

If you asked me when I was in my twenties if I was a runner, I would have laughed at you, but with the encouragement of my husband and friends (that includes the dogs) I feel like I can achieve anything……which probably explains the maniacal grin on my face when you see me out running!