MILLY VOICE

I have become friends with Liz a little bit by accident, but a serendipitous, joyful one, essentially underpinned by a mutual love of running. Liz has a life that represents all the things I love: Venice, Writing (she is, among many things, a Sunday Times best selling author), Running, and a sheer want to embrace life whole heartedly.

She very kindly took some time out of her own busy broadcast schedule to answer a few questions of my own.

1. Great to chat Liz - tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m an author and broadcaster, I’m 49, I have four children aged between 26 and 6, and I split my time between Oxford and Venice where I teach writing, and host retreats.

2. How did you get into running?

My mother was a very good runner in her teens and 20s, and she coached at the local athletics club when I was a child. We used to go along to meetings and training sessions, so I guess it was just a part of my life, and running was something I thought everyone did! I did cross country races for my school, but I didn't really start running regularly or in any way ‘seriously’ until I was at Cambridge University, where I ran for the athletics club. I was pretty rubbish though, and when I competed in the 1996 Varsity race in the 1500m, I think I came last! After my children were born, in my mid twenties, I started running the occasional 5km Race for Life, then 10kms, and in my 40s I started running half marathons. When I turn 50 in October I plan to run my first marathon.

3. What do you prefer, road or trail?

Road, every time! I tried trail running earlier this year, and have to admit I really didn’t enjoy it. It was the first time I realised I like SPEED, and really pushing myself to run fast. Trail running was prettier, for sure, but I found it much more like jogging, than running, and it frustrated the runner in me.

4. Favourite piece of running kit?

I have a favourite pair of old Nike shorts that I run every race in. They’re hanging together by a THREAD (and in some patches no thread!) They just FIT, and I don’t have to think about them at all, when I’m running. They are probably going into retirement soon, though!

5. Best race you have ever done?

Without a doubt, the Oxford Half Marathon in 2019. It was a challenging year for many reasons, and I pulled something out of myself that day that needed to come out – and came out in some very strong running. It was pouring and we ran through inches of water, but I ran my PB that day: 1hour 23 mins. I don't think I will ever get a time anywhere near that again, and I actually think of it very fondly, as my Freedom Run.

6. What has been your biggest set back or struggle with running? How have you overcome it?

The occasional Achilles injury plagues me from time to time (like now) but other than that, I’d reluctantly but honestly have to say….getting older. I genuinely struggle to run anywhere near as fast as I did even three years ago, and as I near 50 I can’t decide whether to try and push harder to run faster, or just let it go now and accept that this is my new, slower (but happier!) pace.

7. How do you balance sports with day to day life and other commitments?

I work for myself, largely from home, so I am very lucky to be able to run during the day. I try and build a run into at least 3 days of the week, usually in the afternoon when my productivity nose-dives. Then other days I’ll go to the gym, and take a rest day once a week or so.

8. What does "strong" mean to you as a definition?
That’s a great question! I guess it divides into several parts, physically, mentally, spiritually and so on, but in general I’d say it means being able to cope with whatever challenges come your way, in a healthy way. Mental strength enables us to deal with traumas, sadness, the Life Juggle etc, and physical strength to me means just that: actual muscle strength and power. I do a lot of weights in the gym, and have done for 20 years. I LOVE being strong, physically, and that feeds into my mental strength.

9. What advice would you give your 30 year old self?

You're at your running peak: ENJOY IT! And be glad that you can run like this. Value it, respect it, be grateful for it. And look after your body now: when you’re 50 you’ll be very glad.

10. What does the rest of 2024 have in store? What are you psyched for?

I have never felt so ready for a year! I’ve started teaching writing courses in Oxford and Venice, which I’ve dreamed of for years but Life meant I couldn’t start. It feels so good to be doing at last, and uptake has been amazing! This is feeding into everything else I'm doing: I’m writing several books, and continuing my freelance writing work. And for running….well, the marathon looms in October and I will need to start building towards that, but really, I want to regain my enjoyment of running again. It’s been a while since I’ve found it heavy-going, so I want to fall in love with it again, feel that lightness and the mental uplift. The only way to do that is to get out there and run! So that’s what I’ll do.

Follow Liz on instagram or via her website