Runner Profile: Christian Hadwen

Thank you, Michelle Murphy, for nominating me for this auspicious honour. I would like to thank my wife, Hollie, for being so understanding with my running. Also, I apologise to anyone who reads this, you will not get that time back I’m afraid.

Early years

Mainly due to my dad’s passion, I enjoyed sport from a young age. Mostly, however, I played team sports, mainly football in the winter and cricket in the summer. My strength was speed over short distances, and as a teenager I represented Suffolk at 100m. Any longer than this was certainly out of my comfort zone. Despite being a footballer, at 17, a friend of mine got me to go to Felixstowe Rugby Club with him, and for the next 15 years, this was my focus.

I reached representative level for under 19s and under 21s level, and moved clubs to try my luck at a higher level. Apart from a one-year hiatus while I was at University, I would play for Ipswich Rugby Club until the age of 32. While playing rugby, I would go for the occasional run on the roads, but mostly I focused on short interval sessions. I also spent time trying to gain weight, which was useful in a contact sport, but has since proved challenging for running.

Even after I stopped playing rugby, due to too many broken bones, I was adamant I would not become a “runner”. I kept active by going to the gym, playing 5 a side football, and I bought a road bike. I enjoyed going for long rides on my bike, around the Suffolk countryside. This was especially true during the first Covid lockdown, which was a time I look back at fondly. Probably because, as a teacher, we had very little online teaching to do, and glorious weather to boot.

Getting into running

My running journey really began during the second Covid lockdown, about November 2020. With gyms closed, and it being dark in the evenings (unfortunately they kept school open), I had no choice but to run to keep active. I was not happy about this but figured that I had no other choice. The first run I did was about 6 miles, and it felt horrific. I thought I could run much faster than I could, and I struggled through the run in all sorts of discomfort. I very nearly stopped there, but due to not being able to do any other activity, I grudgingly tried again a few days later.

This time I made sure I started off much slower than the previous attempt, and a few miles in I seemed to find a rhythm. I continued to go out every couple of days, and quite soon I began enjoying myself. It became much easier, and I found the time the route took dropped quickly. After a couple of weeks of this, an old school friend said he had seen me and wondered if I would like some company. For the next 9 months, he and I would regularly go running together, and the miles seemed to fly by as we reminisced over “the good ol’ days” and caught up on what we had been up to over the last 25 years. Running at this stage was still about exercise, fresh air and socialising.

This all changed when in August 2021 Tamlyn, my running buddy, suggested we do the Felixstowe parkrun. I agreed, and we ran down to the prom on a Saturday morning to give it a go. I really didn’t know what to expect, but after completing the 5K, I was disappointed it took me over 26 minutes. I immediately decided to go next week to see if I could improve my time.

Tamlyn was feeling old injuries flaring up, so from now on my running was done on my own. Within a couple of months I had got my parkrun time below 24 minutes, eventually in November, achieving what is still my PB of 23:07. I got to know a few other runners who regularly participated, and it was David Brewster who brought to my attention other races in the area.

Joining FRR

The following summer I completed my first Friday 5 race in Kirton and signed up for a few other races in the area. While I was still running regularly, I didn’t have any specific goals. I was still playing 5 a side football on a Tuesday evening, so when I wanted to try to focus on running, in an attempt to improve my times over longer distances, I decided I would have to give this up and join Felixstowe Road Runners instead.

I am still pleased with the decision I made. While being very nervous at my first session, I found everyone to be very welcoming, and the variety of sessions continue to make it both challenging and enjoyable. In the 18 months or so since I became a member, I am delighted with the improvements I have made over longer distances. In 2024, I achieved 3 separate PBs in the Friday 5 races, knocked nearly 3 minutes off my 10-mile PB at the Coastal 10, and completed my first half marathon in Ipswich, in a time of 1 hour 54 minutes. I am currently trying to improve my short speed, and at time of writing, I am getting extremely close to my parkrun PB again.

Every race I have attended as a member of Felixstowe Road Runners, whether at the Friday 5s, the winter cross country league, or any other event, has been an enjoyable experience. The camaraderie has always been brilliant, and the encouragement from other members has helped me on several occasions. Also, some of the friendly competition with other members, has helped push me towards the finish line, much faster than I would’ve likely achieved.

Plans for the future

I hope I still have a few more paragraphs of my running journey to go. I will, at some point, give a marathon a go. Maybe if I can lose a few more pounds first! Otherwise, I will continue to keep pushing myself on Tuesday nights, and hopefully this year I will be able to achieve a few more PBs.

Next month’s nominee

I know there are a few people who have managed to avoid being nominated, but I am going to chose someone who expressed a real desire to share his running profile. So, Garry McDonald, it is over to you.

Thanks for reading about my running journey, thus far, if indeed you still are!