The Sutcliffe & Co Worcester City Runs Real Ambassadors are in training for September’s 10k and Half Marathon, and recently attended a session with local physio specialist, Worcester Physiotherapy Clinic.
With running fever currently sweeping the country as the season of marathons kicks off, you could be forgiven for wanting to step up to a challenge of your own.
While a marathon may not (yet) be your goal, experiencing a big-city mass running race is truly a special day, and will help the miles feel slightly more enjoyable. With big crowds and closed routes around the city centre, the Sutcliffe and Co Worcester City 10K and Half Marathon are not only a whole lot of fun, but also monumental to so many individuals who may have only dreamed of crossing a finish line a few months ago.
We caught up with our Real Ambassadors recently, after they had their first consultation with Worcester Physiotherapy Clinic. The ambassadors, coming from a variety of occupations and running backgrounds, all have individual goals ahead of race day, whether they’re graduating from Couch to 5K onto the Worcester City 10K, or taking on the Worcester Half Marathon.
The first consultation with Ryan was to understand their running background, if this was new for them, how to implement a good running routine and training plan, and if they are well-seasoned runners, how to stay injury free and keep improving.
“I found out a little more about each of the ambassadors; their health, lifestyles, running background etc,” says Ryan. “We then performed a number of tests which highlighted areas of weakness of vulnerability. They’ve each received a bespoke plan with the aim of reducing their injury risk and enhancing their running performance!”
While the race is months away, and proper training may not have begun yet, the ambassadors felt more confident after the consultation to begin preparing for the next few months.
For Sue Smith, of Sutcliffe & Co, the consultation was the start of her plans to begin training. “I spent an hour with Ryan going through fitness, exercises etc, and I now have a plan which I’m doing regularly and recording. I have another meeting with him in a couple of weeks,” says Sue. “I haven’t started training yet although its my intention to do so in the next few weeks!”
For some of the other ambassadors, signing up to the 10K or Half Marathon gave them a goal to work towards, and a reason to build up their running volume ahead of the race.
Laura Pitt, from Worcestershire County Council, says “Training is going really well; I graduated my couch to 5K course on the 10th April and since have completed two 15K social runs, so I’m super pleased with how far I’ve come since January.”
“The Worcester 10K has given me the motivation to get out here, I think without that goal, I wouldn’t have pushed myself, and I’m really excited as it’ll be my first competitive run.”
After meeting Ryan, Laura is prepared to set some goals. “I learnt a lot about my strengths and weaknesses in my first session, and I’ve been doing the exercises he gave me. This additional support is really insightful, and I’ve had discussions with him around doing the 10K in about an hour.”
Mitchell Hawthorn, from Worcester City Council, is a frequent runner who regularly participates in parkruns both at home and abroad, most recently in Krakow! Despite being a well-seasoned runner, his consultation with Ryan was insightful and he has implemented some strength exercises to improve his running.
“The physio session was productive, we discovered that my back leg muscles are really weak, which is really affecting my performance, so I was prescribed some exercises to strengthen my calves and hamstrings, which should help with my balance and my running!”
For Tammy Gooding, from BBC Hereford and Worcester, the 10K in September is the goal and the inspiration to take up running, starting from Couch to 5K and progressing further. She recently completed the Couch to 5K program, and graduated by finishing a local parkrun with the Black Pear Joggers.
“My heart is filled with pride,” she says. “If you’d have seen me in the depths of winter, puffing like a steam train after running for just sixty seconds alongside the River Severn, you’d have been forgiven for doubting my chances of completing one and three quarter laps of Worcester Pitchcroft Racecourse!”
“I did it, and I’m now halfway to the Worcester City 10K and it feels remarkable,” says Tammy. “Something I’ve learned from this journey thus far, is that doing it with others and accepting support is key. My almost fifty-three-year-old aching knee and hip have miraculously carried me further than I’ve ever run before. Credit for that is in part to Ryan Sneddon at Worcester Physiotherapy Clinic, who prescribed me a programme of exercise that is like pure magic.”
Tammy is grateful to her support team for helping her achieve her 5k milestone, and looks forward to the race in September, now having a completely different mindset and confidence in her own ability.
“I must give huge credit to Clare, Cliffy and the Black Pear Joggers who have lifted me up when I almost quit, encouraged and been alongside me every step of the way.”
“If you’d told tewlve-year-old me watching the 1984 Olympics that the legendary Steve Cram would one day send me a message of support, I’d have called you crazy! To see my twins, sister and brother-in-law cheering me on at parkrun, stirred an immense feeling of pride. There’s a long way to 10k, it will not look elegant and I’ll probably be at the back, but for the first time in my life I’m starting to believe that maybe I can.”
We’re keeping up with the Ambassadors in their journey to the start line of the 2025 Sutcliffe and Co Worcester City Runs in September. To join us in the 10k, Juniors or Half Marathon on the 14th September, enter via our website now www.worcestercityrun.com
