Clare Pearson   John Hampshire Coaching

My own running career began when I was working in a disabled unit where I needed to be fit enough to get to emergencies. I ran two to three times a week to keep fit and because I enjoyed running and its relaxing effects.

I really fell in love with running when I began my career as a Probation Officer in North Yorkshire, right on the edge of the dales I loved getting out into the hills on weekends and on long summer nights. I tried my hand at various races (The Wharfedale Half Marathon, the Three Peaks and many local fell races). I realised that I was good at off road running and in particular at running up hill, but I was still chasing some good road times.

In 2012 I met and began working with my first coach. I soon came to appreciate the value of an objective eye - I broke 20 minutes for 5km, 40 minutes for 10km, and went from being the top five to winning some races, my proudest being Skiddaw. I began to look further afield and had some trips to Europe incorporating races that interested me - Fully Sorniot, La Montée du Grand Ballon, Ucka Verticle, La Derupe Montgenevre Skyrace Sprint where I had to forego my first place prize as they thought I was a man!

I decided to put running experience to good use and began coaching. I coached local woman Edith to her PB on our local mountain race, Le Championnat du Canigou and began to experience the delight of helping others achieve. I love helping people achieve their dreams and goals and sharing my passion for running.