Ransacker

Kirk's Blog

Name: Kirk Dodds Age: 27 Lives: Norwich Occupation: Marketing Years running: 7 years Favourite running shoes: Mizuno Wave Creation 8, they are the daddy. Pet hate: Bananas before a race - they make me feel sick when running! Greatest achievement: Great North Run 2008 in 1 hour and 30 mins, knocking 13 ½ minutes off my previous pb and last year’s time. My running career started slowly, about 7 years ago, when I realised my general fitness was poor plus, if I’m honest, I was carrying more than a few extra pounds. My weight suffered from fluctuations - mostly related to the football season. So I did the usual thing; off to the gym where I realised I wasn’t too bad on the old treadmill. But I also realised running on a treadmill is no fun, and in my book, it’s cheating, so I opted for the great outdoors. I started off with small, slow runs and gradually built them up. I was enjoying running and my secret was out. It was time for a challenge – and my first half marathon. I entered the Great North Run and some family rivalry surfaced as my old man regaled me with stories from his good old running days and the pb time he set in the Great North Run of 1hour 58 mins - when Hi-Tec Silver Shadow were top of the range running shoes! My training increased, and for the first time became more structured, and come race day I am pleased to say I managed a time of 1 hour 56 mins. Two minutes makes a world of difference when it comes to family rivalry. I liked the first challenge and wanted more, and so my passion (some say obsession) for running was born. I’ve now taken part in numerous races ranging from 10ks to full marathons. The challenges still exist, the times maybe a little quicker, but the family rivalry continues, only now it’s my brother that I step up to the start line with. This season has been successful with my first marathon; the act of finishing was an achievement in itself (4 hours 4 minutes), as well as a much improved 10k time of 41 mins and 11 secs ( 4mins off last season) and finally a half marathon time of 1 hour 30mins and 56 secs (13 ½ mins off last season). I look forward to next season in which I will set myself new challenges; dipping under the 40 minutes mark for the 10k and 1 ½ hour mark for the half will be the biggest.