Meet Jan

This superstar joined Team RR a few years ago and completed her first 50km Ultramarathon at Ultra Trail Australia earlier this year. Always happy, smiling and keen for a chat, her laughter and enthusiasm are infectious. Meet Jan…

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Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am 53, born in New Zealand and have been married to an Aussie, David for 26 years. I have 2 adult sons Tim who is 23 (currently in South America backpacking) and Matt, aged 20 who is in the Army in Canberra. I am an Office Manager/Bookkeeper and work for an accountant at Hurstville. I love travelling, bushwalking and parkrun every Saturday if I can.

Tell us a bit about you and running – How? When? Why?

When I was about 14 my friend and I joined a running group in Invercargill, New Zealand (Hash House Harriers). It was fun and really social. I loved the cross country runs on farmers’ properties (they had the best afternoon teas) and road running. Fast track to 2012, when I joined a gym to lose some weight and started doing a bit of running again. I entered the 5km run at the Oatley Park Fun Run and then got hooked on doing events. I found my training programs online and trained alone.

In 2016 a half marathon online training program had parkrun on the plan, so after some investigating I turned up at Panania parkrun and I was hooked. I met some lovely ladies at parkrun from Rachel’s Runners who invited me to Panania Run Club on Tuesday nights. It was lovely to have company running which I never had before and that’s also where I met Rachel.

What’s the best thing about running for you?

It keeps me fit and in a good head space. I also love my running friends and the endorphins!!!

What’s your favourite piece of running equipment?

My Garmin watch.

What’s your biggest challenge with running?

Stretching and rolling – I am hopeless at it.

If you could invent a running or fitness tool or toy what would it be?

A magic key to open all the locked toilets in the local parks.

Any tips for fellow runners?

Don’t compare yourself to others. Set a goal, believe you can do it and enjoy the journey.