Runner Profile: Sam Baxter
Thank you for my nomination Dom. I was hoping to dodge this for a tad longer, but I’ll try my best. …
I was born in Germany (my dad was in the RAF) and moved to Ramsgate in Kent when I was a few months old. Ive been told that my love of sport started from a very early age. I was a tomboy as a child and loved anything that involved moving and using my energy (and still do!) I had a particular love for gymnastics and practiced pretty much everywhere I could, up until the age of 13 (basically until puberty and body image set in!) I was quite good and competed for my school in both team and individual competitions. I favoured the floor apparatus because I was small, agile and loved the height I could get on the aerials, handsprings and backflips. I still remember the buzz I used to get from nailing the perfect move!!
After my gymnastic days, I continued with the usual school sports – netball, rounders and athletics. I always loved doing track because I was quite fast and excelled in the 100m – often coming top three for my school. I loved being active and found sport an escapism from the academic stuff that I wasn’t too bothered about.
I left school after completing my A-levels and sports then took a back seat for a while. Boys, booze and late nights mattered more throughout my twenties, until I realised I needed to do something to counteract it all. I joined the gym to keep fit and also a netball club where I played for a great team (The Alpha Blues)
I had my first daughter Polly when I was thirty and it was then that my running journey began. It was the quickest way to squeeze exercise into family life! I didn’t have a smart watch but I used to time myself leaving the house and returning, finding myself getting more competitive with myself! I soon ran my first 5k ‘race for life’ in 21 minutes which I remember being really proud of.
Running then became a way of life for me and I ran most days, mainly to recalibrate and have some headspace. Races were not really on my radar until my brother in law signed us both up for the Hackney Half in May 2018. I loosely trained (without a real training plan) and absolutely loved it. The atmosphere was electric and I came in at 1:44. This time has been my bench mark and each time I get a bit quicker and have managed to shave 11 minutes from it this year – but I’m still chasing a 90 minutes half marathon!
Fast forward a-few years, covid etc….
We moved to Felixstowe in 2021 and had our second daughter – Frankie. Still running through my pregnancy and swimming daily I heard about FRR and decided to join after thinking about it a lot. I was super nervous about joining a running club, as I didn’t feel good enough (after having baby #2) and also being super shy/lacking confidence. But from my very first session (the lovely Carrie was the session leader) I felt so welcomed and have never looked back. I feel like I’ve become a much stronger and consistent runner and have run times I never thought possible for me.
I don’t really enjoy racing as I get really nervous beforehand, but one of my favourite courses is the Ipswich Half, mainly because of the support it has and I also have my PB there! Tarpley 20 was a new course for me last year, which I absolutely loved. I remember turning up not really having a clue about a pace to run but I thoroughly enjoyed running and chatting the whole way round!
In 2022 I took on the Three Peaks Challenge with my two sisters and best friend, in memory of our Nan for CRUK. An absolutely amazing experience, which was incredibly hard but so rewarding. I discovered a real love for hiking and the views were stunning beyond words.
This year I ran my first marathon at Boston UK. It was a big decision for me, as I was worried about the training commitment and the impact it may have on family life. I found the long runs hard & tedious – it was tricky fitting them in around mum duties and work and I often felt guilty about the time I was away from my family. At first, I used Saturday mornings as my time to run long. Grandma would look after the girls and Steve would cycle alongside me – supporting me whatever the weather, with fuel and motivation along the way. I don’t think I could’ve accomplished all I have without the continuous support and encouragement from all of my family.
It was a good few weeks into my training plan that I met my lovely Sunday running group and the long runs became more social and I found some wonderful friends.
I had no idea of a target time at the beginning of my training block, my main goal was to finish and do ok. I was so fortunate to receive a lot of advice and coaching tips to help; which really boosted my confidence and enabled me to focus on a specific time (3:30)
Race day, the weather was absolutely brutal (wind, rain, flooded roads) and at many points during the race thought I couldn’t finish. I couldn’t open my gels or sweets as my hands were so numb and sore. I remember grabbing any sweets (which were soggy and gloppy from the rain!) I could along the way to keep me going and trying to focus on my technique – advice I’d had from fellow runners and coaches. I’m not sure how I finished, other than sheer determination! I came in at 3:28 – I was absolutely broken and frozen to the core but I was so happy to see my daughter Polly and Steve and relieved to have finished!
This year hasn’t been particularly kind to me for a number of personal reasons, but running has always been there when things have been really tough. It helps me to put things into perspective and to reset – it’s my therapy! I’ve made some amazing new friends who have helped and supported me so much this year (ladies, I believe you know who you are – thank you!) ❤️
Next year I have been lucky enough to qualify for GFA at London, which I am super excited about. I have always said that I’d only ever run one marathon but one more can’t hurt!!!
Next month I’d like to nominate the amazing runner and lovely person – Michelle Murphy.
