Heroines From History Elizabeth I
enough, or being faced by ultra-fit athletes,” Elizabeth smiles. “You are given as much or as little help as you want from more experienced runners and are completely in control of how far or fast you run.”
Going on to Club Training and eventually competing, Elizabeth soon discovered a wonderful social side to her new hobby, making lots of new friends when a group of runners of her age decided to start a new team for a relay marathon (where six people each run a leg of the 26 miles). They called themselves the ‘Super 70s,’ complete with their own distinctive yellow T-shirts.
“It’s a fantastic group,” she says. “Everyone especially looks forward to the Christmas meal we have together along with our partners.”
Although pleased with herself for her improving fitness and some unexpected weight loss, the idea of competing for trophies was never on Elizabeth’s mind.
That was until she got a huge surprise after one particular race in Great Yarmouth.
“I was standing on the sidelines clapping the prizewinners when suddenly my name was called – I’d actually won something!” she laughs. “Since then I have been very proud of my Great Yarmouth races and also round the old Airfield with the Coltishall Jaguars. I now regularly run in the East Anglian CrossCountry League.”
Since joining, Elizabeth has completed 30 races and three marathon relays and taken home many medals.
“I like to think I get older and faster, but there are some issues with injury like bruised ribs and pulled muscles and you have to give your body time to recover and take a bit more care of yourself,” she says. “You can also lose fitness, but you have to persevere. I have to say that Brian, my partner, gives me all the encouragement I need.”
Elizabeth has found that the upper age categories are steadily increasing, particularly for women, allowing older runners to be more competitive. There are still men running in their ‘80s, so why not women as well!
“In the way categories are arranged and prizes awarded, women over 35 and men over 40 were labelled ‘Veterans,’ which surprises some people!” Elizabeth grins. “Now agegrading is more common and the term ‘Super-Vets’ is creeping in, which I think is far more appropriate for us Super Seventies!”
Elizabeth runs three or four times a week to train and feels that in terms of her fitness, she might still take on a halfmarathon. Of course, things have to be organised differently because of social distancing and she now regularly competes in ‘Virtual Runs’ where runners all go the distance individually and time themselves.
“When it comes to sending in proof that you’ve completed the race,” she says, “everyone is happy with a photo of a pair of very muddy feet!”
What would Elizabeth say to prospective runners? “I think women of any age shouldn’t be afraid to give it a go, even if you have health issues,” she says. “It’s always easier and a lot more fun to do it with other people.”
“It’s a lot more fun with other people!”