Tom Hooper, Runner with Brighton Phoenix
Sussex runner Tom Hooper kindly spent some time giving us the lowdown on his running experiences, insights into his local club, Brighton Phoenix, and has shared some of his favourite places to run. If you’re looking to up your fitness game post-lockdown, Tom has plenty of good advice on training (and trainers) to help you get started!
https://brightonphoenix.org.uk/
Brighton Phoenix are also on Twitter: @brightonphoenix and Instagram: @brighton_phoenix
Why do you run?
It's a sport you can do anywhere and any time, socially it's a brilliant way to be part of a club as well as very focused group of peers who are striving for goals and it's really good for my mental health. It helps that Sussex has every kind of route you could possibly wish for as well.
How long have you been running?
I've been seriously running since I joined Brighton Phoenix in May 2016. I'd just run the Brighton Marathon, retired from amateur Saturday football and I wanted to join a club to add some structure to my training and see what I could achieve.
What are some of your favourite running routes and where are your favourite places to run?
Since Lockdown I have been spending a lot of time on the South Downs Way - the number of routes and incredible scenery is vast. There is a lovely route up through Stanmer Park woods to Ditchling Beacon that is a particular favourite. I also spend a ton of time on the trails that run alongside the River Adur from Shoreham that picks up the Downs Link. I've never had a bad run there and psychologically it's a really positive place to spend time on.
What's the Brighton Phoenix community like?
Our motto is Inclusive Excellence, and those 2 words sum up the club perfectly. On a Wednesday night at the Withdean Stadium track you'll have big groups of juniors, amateur athletes from the ages of 15 through to 70+, English schools competitors, as well as current British champions (Spencer Thomas: 800m) and National Finalists (Beth Kidger, Archie Davis, Robbie Fitzgibbon all in the 1500m.)
It's really important to stress that we have runners of all abilities, and there is a group and a place for everyone. A real highlight as a member of the club was Charlie Grice, who's been at the club since he was a child, last year becoming the 4th fastest Brit of all-time in the 1500m running 3 minutes 30 seconds. In doing so he beat former Olympic Gold medallist and club founder Steve Ovett's club record, which was also a world record. That kind of pedigree across a local club is pretty untouchable and very special.
What sort of gear or tech do you use when training/running/competing?
The beauty of running is that all you need is a half-decent pair of trainers and you're all set. Like many, I have a GPS watch and way too many pairs of trainers, but obsessing over headphones, heart rate monitors, insoles and lots of other things is really not essential. In terms of kit, I am a huge fan of British brand Soar for running clothing and I like Saucony and Hoka ONE ONE for trainers. I am on the infamous Carbon plated footwear train though....if you can't beat them, don't let them beat you by as much.
What steps do you take to prevent injury?
As someone who's had a few niggles this year, the biggest thing I can advocate is running your easy runs genuinely easy and then make your hard runs or your sessions really count. It's not possible to do everything flat out. Foam Rollers are good for loosening tight muscles but it's a pretty torturous process. I'd also encourage mixing up the surfaces you run on so everything isn't on the hard, flat pavement (or seafront). Hit the trails, grass, whatever as part of your routes.
How do you stay motivated?
I like routine so having structure works for me. I'm also in a great training group, coached by Geoff Hill, with athletes mainly from Phoenix but also other local clubs and we enjoy pushing each other on and providing company for hard interval sessions and long runs which can be a bit lonely once you're into the 18+ mile territory. Ultimately, I love running so motivation is easy.
What do you look for in a good running shoe/trainers?
A good balance between cushioning and lightweight is key, and I prefer a neutral shoe as I have a relatively correct running form so I don't need a ton of extra support. I personally avoid minimalist shoes and my favourite shoes at the moment are the Hoka ONE ONE Clifton or Rincon and the Saucony Endorphin range for faster stuff. RUN in Hove is my go-to store - Kurt is the master when it comes to trainer advice.
What tips do you have for someone looking to start running long-distance?
Join a club or a running group and make going for a run a social commitment. It means you're less focused on the running and it makes you more accountable to turn up and get out of the door. Don't stress about speeds or distances, just run for time and don't worry about stats and data. Try and have a few routes to keep things fresh, and mix up between pancake-flat runs and more undulating routes to keep your mind interested too.
What's the best thing about running?
It's a great way to see a city when you're travelling or on holiday as you can do it almost anywhere and it's totally free. I also love the fact that no matter how old you are or how experienced you are there are always things to target or new races or distances to try. The last thing is being part of a team or a relay group because it's such an individual sport but that is a great way to return to that team ethos.
What's the worst thing about running?
Getting injured is the obvious one, but it is tough when you're in good shape and then you can get derailed through injury or illness and then being impatient to try and return to the level you were at too soon.
Do you have any running/fitness goals?
Running is amazing because you set goals that seem mad, and then you achieve them and you always want more. I would love to run a sub 2:40 marathon, break 75 minutes for a half-marathon and run under 16 minutes for 5km. If I do all of that then my last goal would be to try and earn a Sussex vest (probably as a V40 in about 2 years time, although the standard of running in our county is absolutely ridiculous).
What's your biggest achievement with the Brighton Phoenix club?
Individually, it's probably breaking 3 hours for the marathon as I honestly thought that was a dream, and then being part of teams winning medals in local competitions such as the Sussex Cross Country Championships, the Ragnar White Cliffs ultra relay and the South Downs Way relay. I hope there are a lot more to come....