Runner Profile: Michelle Murphy
Thank you for the nomination Sam, I’d hoped to miss this!
You’re lucky this will be a short story as I only started running in 2020.
I’ve always lived in this part of Suffolk. Growing up my parents would find me at the stables playing around with my horses, or quite often wouldn’t find me as I’d be riding out to find a large field or trail to gallop around or be in the middle of a farmers field jumping over straw bales.
I’ve been lucky enough to have competed in all disciplines with XC being my absolute favourite.
As life changes, I sadly sold my horses and took up running as I cant keep still for too long. Running was something I could do on my own to clear my head, running around trails and the quiet roads of Blaxhall. It didn’t come naturally, I was just running/walking 1 or 2 miles so it was quite an achievement to be able to actually run 2 miles without stopping!
As events started up again after COVID I decided to sign up for a Race for Life 5k at Trinity Park. I quite enjoyed the race so decided to push myself a bit further and sign up for the Woodbridge 10k in 2022. This was my first road race, apart from the hills it was a good race with a time of 50:26. In 2024 I managed to finish the Woodbridge 10k in 45:46 so I am improving with old age!
In 2022 I also signed up to parkrun, I didn’t do too many in the beginning but I’m now up to a grand total of 62 parkruns, I’m hoping to reach 100 by the end of the year and of course better my PB of 21:31, I might have to start at the very front with the fast guys to achieve this.
Moving to Felixstowe in 2023 I joined FRR, feeling very nervous about joining a run club as I’m no athlete, I cannot believe how welcoming everyone has been. I’ve made some good running buddies and had many fun, long chatty runs.
Joining FRR has given me the confidence to sign up for events like the Stowmarket Half Marathon (twice), Kesgrave 10k, Flower of Suffolk – half marathon trail, Let it Stow – Stowmarket Christmas half marathon trail, Coastal 10. I’ve also enjoyed taking part in the club events Two Rivers, One Lap to Ultra, 12 Pubs of Christmas, Ekiden Relay and some of the Suffolk Winter League Cross Country events, all great fun with the other Reds.



Of course with all this running there has to be a Marathon, I entered my first Marathon last year – Boston (UK), I’m sure you have all heard of the horrendous running conditions and I’m surprised I actually made it over the finish line. I feel I had trained well for Boston, it wasn’t easy I got a calf injury along the way which set me back a bit on my training, but after a few physio sessions I made it to the start line. As you do, I had the run all planned, when to fuel and hydrate myself along the way but I wasn’t expecting the rain, the wind and flooded roads which made me absolutely freezing cold, my fingers and lips were so numb I couldn’t rip open a gel, protein bar or a water so I ran the 26.2 miles with determination just to finish. I’ve never felt so cold. I finished the Marathon in 3:55 and at the time felt disappointed but looking back: well done you, you actually ran a Marathon in under 4 hours!
So after a Marathon what do you do next? Sign up for a 50k Ultra the SVP, you always need another challenge. I really enjoyed the endurance run, arriving at each feed station ready for a top up on food and drink, the FRR team at our feed station were amazing! My calf pain from earlier in the year decided to make an appearance mid run but all in all another challenge completed, this one in 7 hours.
I would also like to add that Helen Duggan’s Runners Pilates classes every week really helps with my running technique with balance and has increased my core strength. If you get the opportunity to join any of Helen’s class, you will really feel the benefit.
For 2025 I have been lucky enough to get a ballot place in the London Marathon. As with most runners this is high up on the “to do” list, I cannot wait to be at the start line of this iconic race, making the most of the whole atmosphere, running through London. I have a training plan from Slow Coach and as we approach week 5 all is going well, thank you Slow.
As part of my marathon training I have entered the Tarpley 20 so I’ll see some of you Reds there.
For next months runners profile, I would like to nominate Christian Hadwen.