If you are the sort of person who is happy to find excuses in life to avoid getting off the couch, a person who finds life too busy to have any time for themselves, or someone who thinks that they will never have the time to do a little exercise then direct your eyes towards Tilly Bean and her family. Mum of 3 giddy children (Son, Daughter and Husband Daavvo) you can always guarantee that one of the family is clocking some miles on Strava. Whilst both parents also work full time, they find spots to either go out for a run or cycle 100 miles. Even their son has started clocking Strava miles now.
Truly inspirational seeing how far Tilly Bean has come in the last 12 months, and looking amazing for it as well.
1) Every story has a beginning, what first inspired you to start running?
I’d tried every type of exercise before running; Zumba, swimming, the gym, exercise classes etc and nothing really stuck. I always assumed you had to be super fit to run and that I’d never be able to do it…how wrong I was.
2) What do you find most rewarding about running?
I love pushing myself to really reach my maximum and that can be when running alone, a race or a park run with others. There’s no better feeling than crossing the finish line and knowing you’ve done it!
3) What tech/gear/apps do you use? Do you think it benefits you?
I love Strava and pretty much most of the real reason I run is to collect Strava crowns or to compete with friends. I bought a Garmin forerunner 25 for my first running watch and I love its simplicity. It does everything I need. I definitely run more and faster because of the tech I wear, although at times it does feel like a double edged sword. Sometimes I’ll feel bad if I’ve done a run and my time is slower than expected etc, I’ve got to remember that not every run is a PB.
4) What do you think about whilst you are out pounding the pavement?
Running for me is my biggest way to de-stress. I have 2 wonderful children and a loving husband, I work full time as well; its often difficult to balance all of these and remain sane(ish). Running allows me to reflect on my day at work, have an internal argument with myself and get home in a better mood than when I left the house.
5) How do you balance family, work and training?
It’s hard, super hard. I generally run Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. My husband cycles Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. We have to fit it around family time, work and social events. But the good thing is, as we’re both exercise addicts, we’re both aware of how much we need time to ourselves. It’s not always easy and if the children are being particularly difficult it makes it even harder, but we seem to have found a balance somehow.
6) What is your training regime? How many times a week do you train?
If I’m training for a bit race or a run, I always like to do it with my running buddy Laura. We bounce ideas off each other, she devises a training routine and rest breaks etc and more than anything, the runs never feel as long when shared with a friend.
7) What are your fastest 5k, 10k, Half and Full Marathon times?
5k is 24.34
10k is 55:52
Half is 2 hours 15 minutes
8) I am a big fan or run bling and race t-shirts, do any medals or memorabilia bring back great memories for you? What do you do with the medals and t-shirts?
My favourite medal is my half marathon medal from Lancaster. It brings back memories of how tough that day was. I ran it alone, with no support and no one else I knew. I also ran most of the way alone without anyone to encourage me. Medals are generally hung up in the wardrobe and t-shirts make an appearance when I’ve run out of vests;)
9) Any race or event which ones stand out above the rest and why?
I love Cuerden Valley Park Run, mainly because it’s an absolute killer and every time I finish it I know I’ve earned a HUGE piece of cake.
11) Where did you complete your first race? Do you remember how you felt when you crossed the finish line?
My first race was a Park Run, I remember wanting to tell the whole world I’d done it and was amazed I’d even crossed the line.
1) Every story has a beginning, what first inspired you to start running?
I’d tried every type of exercise before running; Zumba, swimming, the gym, exercise classes etc and nothing really stuck. I always assumed you had to be super fit to run and that I’d never be able to do it…how wrong I was.
2) What do you find most rewarding about running?
I love pushing myself to really reach my maximum and that can be when running alone, a race or a park run with others. There’s no better feeling than crossing the finish line and knowing you’ve done it!
3) What tech/gear/apps do you use? Do you think it benefits you?
I love Strava and pretty much most of the real reason I run is to collect Strava crowns or to compete with friends. I bought a Garmin forerunner 25 for my first running watch and I love its simplicity. It does everything I need. I definitely run more and faster because of the tech I wear, although at times it does feel like a double edged sword. Sometimes I’ll feel bad if I’ve done a run and my time is slower than expected etc, I’ve got to remember that not every run is a PB.
4) What do you think about whilst you are out pounding the pavement?
Running for me is my biggest way to de-stress. I have 2 wonderful children and a loving husband, I work full time as well; its often difficult to balance all of these and remain sane(ish). Running allows me to reflect on my day at work, have an internal argument with myself and get home in a better mood than when I left the house.
5) How do you balance family, work and training?
It’s hard, super hard. I generally run Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. My husband cycles Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. We have to fit it around family time, work and social events. But the good thing is, as we’re both exercise addicts, we’re both aware of how much we need time to ourselves. It’s not always easy and if the children are being particularly difficult it makes it even harder, but we seem to have found a balance somehow.
6) What is your training regime? How many times a week do you train?If I’m training for a bit race or a run, I always like to do it with my running buddy Laura. We bounce ideas off each other, she devises a training routine and rest breaks etc and more than anything, the runs never feel as long when shared with a friend.
7) What are your fastest 5k, 10k, Half and Full Marathon times?
5k is 24.34
10k is 55:52
Half is 2 hours 15 minutes
My favourite medal is my half marathon medal from Lancaster. It brings back memories of how tough that day was. I ran it alone, with no support and no one else I knew. I also ran most of the way alone without anyone to encourage me. Medals are generally hung up in the wardrobe and t-shirts make an appearance when I’ve run out of vests;)
9) Any race or event which ones stand out above the rest and why?
I love Cuerden Valley Park Run, mainly because it’s an absolute killer and every time I finish it I know I’ve earned a HUGE piece of cake.
11) Where did you complete your first race? Do you remember how you felt when you crossed the finish line?
My first race was a Park Run, I remember wanting to tell the whole world I’d done it and was amazed I’d even crossed the line.
13) Do you have any run superstitions, lucky clothing, routines that must be followed pre-race/run?
Nope, as long as I get a wee before hand I’m happy;)
14) If you could choose with anyone famous (including fictional), who would you run with and why?
14) If you could choose with anyone famous (including fictional), who would you run with and why?
I’d probably go with JK Rowling and ask her a million questions about Harry Potter and what her life is like now.
15) If you could offer any advice to yourself before you started running, what would it be?
15) If you could offer any advice to yourself before you started running, what would it be?
Join a running club sooner and run with others more!
Quick Fire Questions
1) Listen to music or alone with your thoughts? Alone with my thoughts
2) Hills on purpose or stick to flats? Hills
3) If it is raining, do you brave it or wait till it stops? Brave it, I love running in the rain J
4) Energy Gel, Banana or other? I generally make sure I eat porridge with a banana and peanut butter for breakfast if I run, don’t really like the gels but I always make sure I have a recovery shake.
5) Fill in the blank, "Running is ........therapy"
6) What is next for you? I’ve got another few weeks of physio to repair a calf tear and then I can gently start running again
Quick Fire Questions
1) Listen to music or alone with your thoughts? Alone with my thoughts
2) Hills on purpose or stick to flats? Hills
3) If it is raining, do you brave it or wait till it stops? Brave it, I love running in the rain J
4) Energy Gel, Banana or other? I generally make sure I eat porridge with a banana and peanut butter for breakfast if I run, don’t really like the gels but I always make sure I have a recovery shake.
5) Fill in the blank, "Running is ........therapy"
6) What is next for you? I’ve got another few weeks of physio to repair a calf tear and then I can gently start running again
I hope Tilly does not mind me praising her too much, but given the results she should be so proud!
Let me know your thoughts too....
Let me know your thoughts too....
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