Runner Profile: Sally Garnham
For me running is more to do with my mental health and keeping my body active and feeling strong.
I’ve just celebrated my 67th birthday and proud to feel as fit as a fiddle.
Let’s go back , I was born in Braiseworth, Nr Eye in Suffolk along with my 2 brothers and 3 sisters – myself being the youngest.
I attended both the primary and secondary modern schools in Eye, Suffolk often walking to and from school (2 miles) as we didn’t quite qualify for school transport!!
Although I was always active I never focused on any one sport I would just dip my toes in here and there but nothing to put in the history books.
Teenage years were full of Barn dances, discos, boys and alcohol.
While Living in Diss, Norfolk
Married in 1985 , had 2 children and now have 3 grandchildren
1987 I set up a taxi/courier business which I operated. In those days taxis were few and far between so it worked well and was very successful. I sold this 10 years later.
Occasionally I would go to the leisure centre in Diss to do a circuit class which I loved, the instructor who inspired me was leaving and I thought “I can do this, why not” so several YMCA qualifications later I started teaching and my career in leisure grew from there, working for South Norfolk Council leisure department working across three sites Diss, Wymondham and Long Stratton.
Moved to Felixstowe in 2008, married my 2nd husband Alan in 2012.
Having never lived by sea I never appreciated just how beautiful it could be.
You can feel the energy coming from the sea and the outlook is forever changing.
I started going for a jog along the prom doing 3k thinking that’s all I could do, I started going to the leisure centre to do the odd class but everyone was new to me and being slightly shy I found it difficult to fit with the locals, but it worked out in the end.
Now you will find me down there a few times a week and enjoying the swim fit on a Friday too.
I joined Felixstowe HM Coastguard as a rescue officer, which is great. It’s team work and you never know what challenge you may face. Being fit and active helps especially as Felixstowe Coastguard are the regions mud rescue team.
Jo Garrard (who was a neighbour of mine) suggested to me to come along to FRR as she had recently joined and was very enthusiastic about the club so this is what I did and I have never looked back.
FRR is a very unique club, everyone is there for the same reason “running” – whether you attend training, enter a race, or go to a social you will always be welcomed.
Such a mix of abilities make it easy to join in as you are never left behind and if you are running a race you can guarantee somebody on the side line will give you a shout even if they don’t know who the hell you are.
In April 2022 my husband developed an infection in his spine and needed an emergency operation that unfortunately left him totally paralysed from the nipples down. My life and his life had just been turned upside down not knowing how it was going to turn out.
It was tough but that is where running became so important to me, it was my escape route. This kept me sane and together
2 years on he is up on his feet and gradually improves day by day.
Huge thanks to Calli who started the Monday morning crew in 2023.
Later came the Thursday morning gang
Regular parkruns on a Saturday
FRR daytime training and Tuesday evening in fair weather have all helped me increase my fitness and endurance.
I am sometimes my own worst enemy – I will put in for a run, then try to talk myself out of it then I run and enjoy it.
Palling up with Hilly to support each other, share transport and to try and encourage each other to enter events in the first place has helped and hopefully a few more will be conquered.
I have an array of medals which include races Kirton 5 mile, Scenic 7, Woodbridge 10k, Bungay 10k (which I do with my daughter which is special) and a favourite – the two rivers.
I am never ruling out a half marathon so we will see, but for now I enjoy what I do. My nomination for next month goes to Hilly Cook
