Dawn Brighton Profile
Why did you start running?
I started running when I was 18½ as I was joining the army and wanted to get my fitness levels up before I went in.
What/who motivates you to run?
My mum has always motivated me to run, especially now as she is 66 and still out running and still managing 10 milers.
What is a typical training week?
I run 5 times a week, ranging from 6.5 to 8 miles and working up to HM distance. I enjoy my early morning ‘5am club’ runs before work!
Favourite session?
A long 10 mile-ish run on a beautiful day. I enjoy being out in the fresh air.
Least favourite session?
My least favourite running is in gale force winds and when it’s chucking down with rain.
Road or Trail?
Road
Top 5 songs on my playlist?
From my current playlist:
1 Ed Sheeran – Perfect
2. LeAnn Rimes – Can’t Fight The Moonlight (Dance version)
3. Amy Winehouse – Back To Black
4. Special D – Come With Me
5. Pink – Funhouse
Do you run alone or with a group?
Alone generally, sometimes with my mum or my daughter Hannah.
What other training do you do?
Stretch classes and walking.
What is your greatest running achievement so far?
Finally managing to improve my pace, which for ages seemed to be stuck at the same pace no matter how hard I tried. I’ve also worked hard to increase my distance.
What was your last race?
My last one was Race for Life. I haven’t done many races having been busy with the kids and their activities. However, they are growing/grown up now so who knows. My daughter ran the Race for Life when she was only 6 as she substituted for her nanna who was poorly on the day. I kept her going through the race by promising her a McDonald’s at the end!
What are your future running goals
To finally achieve that HM distance goal. To date, I have managed up to 11.4 miles, which in theory should have pushed me to continue to the full distance! I also hope to participate in HM events and perhaps run a marathon one day.
What’s on your running bucket list?
My bucket list race would be to run the London Marathon. I have tried for years to get in with my mum but with no success.
What advice would you give someone who is just starting to run?
Get fitted out with proper running trainers and gradually build up the mileage.
What do you like to do when you’re not running?
I enjoy going out for meals and socialising and going along to my daughter’s dance competitions.
What would you name the autobiography of your running life?
Dawn’s Early Run