Runner Profile: Adele Field

When I first saw Neil had nominated me, I was horrified. I mean, everyone else seems to have achieved so much – winning age groups, setting significant PBs, entering countless races. Meanwhile, I was just proud of myself for not tripping over my own shoelaces! and maybe not face-planting in the process! (This has happened).

But then I realized, everyone’s journey is different. For me, it’s about personal achievement and improvement.

I have always been the active one out of my 3 sisters. At the age of 3, I recall winning a sibling’s race at my oldest sister’s sports day and being given a prize of a bar six (for those old enough to remember!).  My parents both played hockey, and many Sunday afternoons were spent on the side of the pitch, being Irish my dad had a background in hurling, which resulted in him losing his front teeth.

At school, games lessons and sports day were my favourite times. I was a member of the school netball, hockey, and rounders teams. I liked running but only short distances; 800m and cross country were not for me and to be avoided at all costs.

I did continue playing netball into my early twenties, then like a lot of people, work commitments, socialising, and drinking took preference over any kind of exercise regime. Marriage and 2 children kept me busy.

Fast forward to my mid-thirties, and with the children still young, it was like a light bulb moment. I was looking for a healthier lifestyle and decided to start running as regularly as possible. I was only doing a mile each time, and that seemed enough for me. I used to say to my son, ‘How can I run further?’ He said, ‘Run slower,’ to which I replied, ‘I will be walking.’ Little did I know this is a good method for your body and to increase your mileage, not that I listened.

I entered a few ‘Race for Life’ events over the next few years purely to raise money and push myself. 5km was my limit.

In 2011, a critical illness took me out of action for a few years, but this made me want to look after my health even more. Slowly, I got back into running, purely for my own fitness. Until 2018, I entered the Ipswich half marathon with a couple of friends with little to no distance training, and it showed. I also did the Felixstowe Coastal 10 miles in 2019 with more training and started to think about joining the running club.

Covid hit, and daily running on my own helped me through, but without guidance, I would push to do a daily 5km at maximum pace and paid the price with injuries. In 2021, a bad fall whilst out running resulted in a broken bone at the top of my arm near my shoulder. The physio encouraged keeping active, so into the gym on a static bike, and then I decided strength training would be the way forward to help with my running.

My friend Michelle Walne and I had talked a few times about joining FRR, and then one of us got injured, then the other, which delayed things. No way would we go on our own. Finally, in January 2024, we joined, and the first Tuesday in January arrived. The weather was abysmal, blowing a hooley. Michelle said, ‘Are we really going tonight?’ and I said, ‘YES, we must,’ to be greeted by the die-hards who never miss a session.

My confidence was low, and I was worried about pushing too fast in case of injury, also concerned about running in the dark with all the uneven surfaces and the fear of falling again. The FRR journey had started. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve said at a session, ‘If I was on my own, I would have stopped by now,’ so it makes me continue, and I love the variety, encouragement, and camaraderie this group brings. Not to mention how many people give up their free time to help others improve their running. I salute you all.

Signing up for a race was not on my agenda until I felt I had a few months of consistent running without any issues. In September 2024, I took on the Ipswich half for a second time with the best training I could do and was totally chuffed to finish in 2 hours and 6 minutes, not to mention finishing ahead of some men at work who weren’t so chuffed. I even had to recruit my youngest son to meet me with 3km to go to get me over the last hurdle.

I was lucky enough to get into the first Southwold half, and it was a beautiful day. But cardinal sin, I got swept away with the occasion, went off way too fast, and struggled to get back on track. I didn’t feel in control of the race and was disappointed but somehow managed to get a PB!! 2:04:40.

I felt very fortunate to secure a spot in the Woodbridge 10K for the first time this year and really enjoyed that, well, apart from the hills. But I always remember at an FRR session being told, ‘Pockets to Sockets’ to power up hills.

Then came the Kirton 5 within that same week, and once again, I went off too fast and really struggled. But thanks to all the FRR support, I got round. It even felt like I had a personal trainer with David Brewster encouraging Jane Moon to the finish line, and me when he saw me struggle. I really needed that. Again, somehow, I managed a PB 46.43 but didn’t feel I’d earned it.

It’s all a learning curve, and at the tender age of 60 I still feel there’s so much to improve on, but I will keep trying. I have managed 50 parkruns and a few volunteer spots, which is great to give something back and see how people enjoy it on every level. Next stop for me is the Felixstowe Coastal 10 miles, and I’m hoping I can finally listen to my body and pace this one right. It’s a great club to be a part of, and I’m only sorry it took me so long to join!

For next month, I would like to nominate the lovely Linda Cassidy …………….