Our Coaches

As an “athlete”, my forte has always been endurance (my heroes are Paula, Seb, and Mo).  I’m
most competitive, apparently, at marathon distance (PB 2.37) and really enjoy cross country, the
fells and other off-road racing. However, the legs don’t turn over as fast as they used to, and
whilst I still run a lot, coaching is the natural next step as it allows me to encourage others to
work hard, improve and hit goals.  I’m a big believer in varying your training – if you always run
the same distance at the same pace on the same terrain, you will struggle to fulfill your potential.
So shake it up when you are out there!
Recently qualified as a Coaching Assistant, I can be found on Tuesdays and Thursdays helping
out the middle distance and endurance athletes.

In 2016 I did the C25K course with PR having never done any running before or even imagining
that running could be something I would enjoy. But, there began a new hobby. I now run
regularly and have entered several local races and one national one in London. I love the social
side of running and have met many new friends. I have recently gained a LiRF certificate and
hope that through helping in the C25K programme I can encourage and support others to begin
their running journey and believe in themselves too.

Dave has been a runner for many, many, years – joined Poole Runners in
the mid 1990s when he moved down from the Midlands. A Stoke City
supporter, he has always been well up the age-group national rankings,
and recently ran the 3 rd fastest marathon run by a British over 70 man
that has ever been run.
A qualified Coaching Assistant and Leader in Running Fitness, he can be
found on Tuesday evenings helping out at Lockyers’ sessions.

I joined Poole Runners start of 2015 as a new runner and soon after was given the opportunity to oversee
a new Couch to 5k programme. I have since completed my Lirf, assistant coach and Cirf and so proud
of how many runners have succeeded in the programme. I love to support, motivate and encourage
people, so have been drawn to beginner and intermediate runners, but can coach all abilities. I like to
make running fun but tough! I love setting my own goals to push me forward in training, inc marathon
distances. I hold nutrition and wellness qualifications and have experience of pre and postnatal
running, working with mental health and people with varying support needs. Any questions, please
ask!

I joined the club in its infancy, ran track, road and cross-country, so did my girls. Older age, work
pressure and injuries forced a stop. I never took a conscious decision to coach or officiate, but
enjoyed participating and took courses. Little equates to the reward of an athlete progressing and
really enjoying sport; whether in terms of self-confidence, success at events or friendships. My aim: to
help each young athlete achieve their best, improve technically, be confident in what they do and with
others, and encourage taking confidence, respect and friendship forward into adult life.
I now enjoy coaching our under 15 middle distance runners plus helping out with the Quad Kids and
am at Ashdown on most Thursdays and at Lockyers on Saturdays (QuadKids) and often on Tuesdays
at Lockyers (middle-distance).

Joe joined Poole Runners aged 6, before we had our minimum age of 8.
Immediately he showed immense promise. Over the years as a junior he
was a very talented 400m runner, running under 49 seconds and High
Jumper, 1.95m officially although he did clear 2.00m in training (so he
says). After a few years out, he got asked to take a High Jump session
once at the start of 2019 and since then we haven’t been able to get rid
of him!

I have been running since 2014 after completing the couch to 5k app. I gained my LiRF qualification in March 2019 and hope to get more involved in leading runs and sessions with Poole Runners in the future.

I am a middle distance runner who prefers running slowly on trails than fast on road! I am also keen to try Cani-cross running with my 6 year old Labradoodle, Freddy.

I am mum to Lily (11) and Eva (9) and you can usually find us at Ashdown track on Thursday evenings!

There are no bounds to Lea’s talents. Not only does she help coach wherever we need some help – High Jump last week as I write this, middle distance the week before, Long Jump the week before that, but she is a Qualified Official and also is a mean photographer, having taken virtually every photo in this section! Lea can be found trackside on a Thursday and a Monday – holding a stopwatch or measuring tape as appropriate. Lea has recently taken up the Hammer throw, and competed in her first event representing Poole Runners at the 2019 Ashdown Open Track & Field Meeting.

I joined Poole Runners 25+ years ago and am now the club’s Sprints Lead Coach. I took my son to Juniors then as we spread the word and grew I became a coach. I took on the sprinters, as at 39 found i could sprint reasonably well. I have finished 6 marathons (London x 4, NY and the first Gloucester) and most distances below. Running is now restricted by Parkinson’s and Diabetes. Sprinting is controlled, explosive, relaxed running, which demands a smooth style of running. It’s nice to be the nasty man and suggest doing 400m from time to time. I am at Ashdown on Mondays and Thursdays training our sprinters from age 11 upwards, including a British international veteran.

My love of running started many years ago in Junior school when I was part of the athletics squad focusing on short distance running and being part of the relay team.  Although I didn’t continue athletics during Secondary school I did re-ignite my love of fitness again later when I joined a gym and became a social runner.   To challenge myself further I decided to join a running club and having run with the friendly ‘Plod’ group on a Monday night the choice to join Poole Runners was easy.  I have been a member of Poole Runners since 2016 and have taken part in many races, from 5k to half marathons.  In 2017 I gained my LiRF qualification so I could confidently lead and support the Couch to 5k groups.  I thoroughly enjoy motivating and encouraging new runners and seeing them achieve their running dream.

I’ve been a part of the running community for just over fourteen years and a Poole Runner for twelve years. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to have been supported and encouraged by runners at all stages and have benefited from the experience and guidance of those who have gone before me. I completed my Leadership in Running Fitness training in 2017 and joined the Couch to 5km team because I wanted to give back to the running community. It’s an honour to be a part of this brilliant programme and to welcome new faces to the running community.

I have been running now for about 8/9 years and I have been involved in the couch programme since it started. I love seeing how, like myself, people can start from nothing to go on to do whatever they want!! The running family is so caring and welcoming , I like to help people start running so they also can meet great people and have some amazing friends and experiences. I have run short to long distances but most of  all I run to keep healthy and enjoy friendships. I completed my Lirf so I could help lead groups for Couch programme.

I have been a member of Poole Runners for 3 years and one of the most enjoyable aspects for me has been leading groups on our Couch 2 5K course. I have a leadership in running fitness (LiRF) qualification from British Athletics and alongside the ‘technical stuff’ I love to see the positive impact that running has on people’s lives. To help people to achieve goals that they previously thought out of their reach is extremely rewarding and is why I’ve been involved in the last 3 couch courses and hope to be involved with many more!

I first joined the club about 2006 (I think), I spent a few years enjoying racing and just being part of the team. Then about 2015 I got a bit of coaching and structured training which led to me getting my marathon PB down to 2h36 and doing well in a few ultra marathons. I am moving into coaching to help others improve as I want to help others achieve their potential. Long distance is what i know and enjoy. I have recently qualified as an Assistant Coach. Steve can usually be found wearing his Norwich City FC shorts out and about somewhere.