Coaching Team
Meet the Team
Coaching Co-ordinator
Coaches
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Scott Darney
CiRFAbout Scott Darney
WRC Member Since:
2014
WRC Coach Since:
2018
Running Profile
Favourite Race (type/distance/event):
Flat Road Race in perfect conditions or Cross Country
Best Running Performance:
2:58 – Geneva Marathon (2019)
Proudest Running Moment:
10th Place at Trail Half Marathon Wales (2018)
Favourite Runner(s):
Eliud Kipchoge, Emil Zatopek, Yuki Kawauchi, Steve Jones.
Favourite Session to Run:
Track for serious stuff, trails for fun!
Long Term Running Goals:
Marathon sub 2:45.
Coaching Profile
Qualifications:
LiRF (studying for CiRF)
How Long Have you been coaching:
Since 2018 with WRC.
Why did you become a coach?:
I followed a marthon plan with Rogue Running that taught me allot about how to train for a marathon, after which I put the information to use by trying to help others with their marathon planning and it developed from there.
Coaching Influences:
Chris McClung (Rogue Running) & Steve Sisson (Telos Running) and the lovely coaches at WRC!
Best Coaching Advice:
“Train as hard as you need, not as hard as you can” – On Coaching Podcast with Steve Magnus and Jon Marcus.
Favourite Session to Coach:
Track Sessions where athletes don’t know the workout until they start!
Other Stuff
Favourite Film(s):
The Karate Kid, Pans Labrynth, The Big Lewbowski
Favourite Book:
Unbroken (Laura Hillenbrand), The Godfather (Mario Puzo)
Favourite Band/Musician:
The Smiths, Bombay Bicycle Club, Jazzanova, Maribou State, Bonobo, Saint Germain
Other Interests:
Season Ticket Holder at West Ham United COYI!
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Graham Eyre
CiRF -
Dave Jobling
CiRFAbout Dave Jobling
WRC Member Since:
1993
WRC Coach Since:
2010ish.
Running Profile
Favourite Race (type/distance/event):
Too many over too many years! Love cross country fixtures, WRC’s own 5k’s and other local races – big favs are HBO & Chelmsford 10k’s. But then there’s The London Marathon…
Best Running Performance:
Takes me back to a year far far away when I had my best runs at The London Marathon & Langham 10k for those distances with special memories of other team WRC runners then and now.
Proudest Running Moment:
Running at & being part of team WRC at the XC National Finals, qualifying from our then XC league.
Favourite Runner(s):
Steve Ovett, Seb Coe & Steve Cram – I loved watching those guys compete on the track, winning medals & breaking records.
Favourite Session to Run:
I’m a big fan of all our club meets and sessions, but its great to get off the streets and into the big outdoors for our summer runs & speed sessions – thinking here of the Pub runs, 5k’s, The Parks, Riverwalks, Dancing Dicks or The Orchards.
Long Term Running Goals:
Keep fit, keep enjoying it & keep on running!
Coaching Profile
Qualifications:
Coach In Running Fitness (CiRF) after LiRF.
How Long Have you been coaching:
Since 2010ish I think.
Why did you become a coach?:
I had been running for many years and doing Thursday night speed sessions since joining the club and we needed coaches to help keep putting these on for members.
Coaching Influences:
John Roberts, Joe Beer (Trainsmart) and picking up new tricks all the time from our WRC coaching team present and past!
Best Coaching Advice:
One takeaway I picked up along the way from somewhere is every run should have a purpose.
Favourite Session to Coach:
WRC has a great speed session archive plus new ideas all the time, it’s great to be able to feed off and deliver these off the streets in our summer locations.
Other Stuff
Favourite Film(s):
Lots but “No Country For Old Men” or anything else Coen Brothers are popular at home.
Favourite Book:
We’re liking “Dear Zoo” at the moment!
Favourite Band/Musician:
It’s a long 60s/70s list but near the top are Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd & Led Zeppelin.
Other Interests:
Anything to distract me from football right now!
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Jodee Mayer
CiRF, Coaching co-ordinator
Coaching Assistants
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Karen Flowers
LiRFAbout Karen Flowers
WRC Member Since:
2015
WRC Coach Since:
2018
Running Profile
Favourite Race (type/distance/event):
Hamburg Half Marathon
Best Running Performance:
Brighton Marathon
Proudest Running Moment:
Completing my first marathon in Mont Saint Michel
Favourite Runner(s):
Zola Budd
Favourite Session to Run:
Love Train
Long Term Running Goals:
In 2020 my goals were to run a sub 2 hour ½ marathon (only 30 sec from there) and a 4 1/2 hour marathon but the pandemic changed everything. With multiple races being cancelled – I turned to trail – running my first trail race last year (Outrun 12 hour) – so this year I have entered my first ultra trail (50k) in August. Will be back running road races though in 2022 hopefully and ready to tackle those goals again!
Coaching Profile
Qualifications:
LiRF
How Long Have you been coaching:
Since 2018
Why did you become a coach?:
To give back to the club and for self development
Coaching Influences:
Our more experienced coaches at the time – they were inspirational
Best Coaching Advice:
Consistency – so many runners fall into the trap of increasing their mileage too quickly which only ends in pain/ injury! Follow the 10% rule, increasing your total weekly mileage by no more than 10% each week. I am also a huge advocate of recovery runs after a long run – although painful they are really beneficial
Favourite Session to Coach:
Any session where the sun is shining, the temperature is above 20 degrees Celsius, no wind and definitely no rain!
Other Stuff
Favourite Film(s):
So many to choose from – Out of Africa – as every time I watch it I get homesick
Favourite Book:
I am a real bookworm so this is hard, but I read the classics as a teenager and the one that stood out for me was Little Women – a book written before its time
Favourite Band/Musician:
Anybody who knows me knows that I am a 80s follower – so it would have to be Depeche Mode
Favourite Food:
If I had to chose my last meal it would probably be something that would make most people cringe and that Piri Piri Chicken Livers
Other Interests:
Travelling, reading and coaching and/or mentoring through my profession
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Kerry Townsend
LiRFAbout Kerry Townsend
WRC Member Since:
2010
WRC Coach Since:
2014
Running Profile
Favourite Race (type/distance/event):
For overall commitment, difficulty and achievement, it has to be a Marathon.
Best Running Performance:
Hatfield Broad Oak 10k – 2012
Proudest Running Moment:
Finishing my first marathon – Brighton 2012
Favourite Runner(s):
Eddie Izzard as like me, he likes it best when he’s finished.
Favourite Session to Run:
Trails – slow enough for a chat.
Long Term Running Goals:
Just to keep running into old age.
Coaching Profile
Qualifications:
LiRF
How Long Have you been coaching:
Since 2014
Why did you become a coach?:
To give something back to the Club.
Coaching Influences:
My running buddies at WRC who continually inspire, encourage and support me.
Best Coaching Advice:
Listen to your Body.
Favourite Session to Coach:
Anything but the 800m/1k Reps
Other Stuff
Favourite Film(s):
Singin’ in the Rain.
Favourite Book:
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Favourite Band/Musician:
David Bowie
Favourite Food:
Sunday Roast
Other Interests:
Yoga, art, painting and drawing, gardening and reading.
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Sasha Rush
LiRFAbout Sasha Rush
WRC Member Since:
2016
WRC Coach Since:
2018
Running Profile
Favourite Race (type/distance/event):
Trail over road, I like to eat a picnic whilst I run so anything long
Best Running Performance:
Banningham 10 mile, PB’d by 10 minutes and hungover
Proudest Running Moment:
Completing 45 miles at Outrun24
Favourite Runner(s):
Currently its Jasmin Paris, 1st women to win Montane Spine race, 268 miles and breastfeeding….its amazing what our bodies will do!
Favourite Session to Run:
I love a fartlek
Long Term Running Goals:
To keep going as long as i can injury free, pref all trail and over marathon distance
Coaching Profile
Qualifications:
LiRF
How Long Have you been coaching:
3 Years
Why did you become a coach?:
I was inspired by the coaching team to make a difference and give something back
Coaching Influences:
This has got to be my 1st ever throwing coach, Shirley Quinn at Chelmsford AC, at 15 she inspired and taught me that I could do anything if i tried hard enough
Best Coaching Advice:
Listen to your body, push it when able, get over it if you can’t
Favourite Session to Coach:
30/30 short and sweet, also a killer!
Other Stuff
Favourite Film(s):
I can’t chose a favourite…its between Drop Dead Fred and Uncle Buck, if you not seen them where have you been!
Favourite Book:
I love a good book, The Colour Purple and Liverpool Miss
Favourite Band/Musician:
I listen to most things but currently on my running playlist is Fleetwood Mac, Lady Gaga, Red hot Chilli’s and Blur
Other Interests:
I love 50’s fashion, obsessed with tattoos but too poor to get any more, fast vehicles inc motorbikes. i come from a large close knit family so spending time with them is always happy, plus my brother is easy to wind up!
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Max Leech
LiRFAbout Max Leech
WRC Member Since:
2019
WRC Coach Since:
2020
Running Profile
Favourite Race (type/distance/event):
Half Marathon
Best Running Performance:
2009 Watford Half Marathon. PB of 1hr 58…my first ever organised race and I’ve never beaten that time!
Proudest Running Moment:
My first London Marathon in 2009. I loved it so much.
Favourite Runner(s):
Mo Farah
Favourite Session to Run:
Park Life, it reminds me of long summer days.
Long Term Running Goals:
To get a Marathon PB.
Coaching Profile
Qualifications:
How Long Have you been coaching:
Since 2020
Why did you become a coach?:
WRC was the first club I’ve ever run with and I fell in love with it straight away. I wanted to be a part of the community as much as possible.
Best Coaching Advice:
Comparison is the thief of Joy! Don’t pit yourself against other people, run for YOU.
Other Stuff
Favourite Film(s):
Good Will Hunting
Favourite Book:
The Thorn Birds
Favourite Band/Musician:
Pink
Favourite Food:
Italian. I’m all about the carbs!
Other Interests:
Travelling. I can’t wait to travel again!
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James Montgomery
LiRFAbout James Montgomery
WRC Member Since:
2003
WRC Coach Since:
2007
Running Profile
Favourite Race (type/distance/event):
- My favourite distance is the marathon and I have run around 20 stand-alones and a further four in Ironman Triathlon.
- My favourite race is the Dartmoor Discovery; 32 miles and 600 yards of serious hills, which I have been lucky enough to run twice.
Best Running Performance:
Frankfurt Marathon 2012
Proudest Running Moment:
Getting my first sub-4 hour marathon at Benidorm in 2005. I’d only just started running marathons that year and this was (technically) my fourth as I’d also completed Ironman Switzerland.
Favourite Runner(s):
I always remember watching the Ethiopian Miruts Yifter as having a devastating finish that gained him the nickname of “Yifter the shifter”.
And definitely a Steve Ovett supporter!
Favourite Session to Run:
The Sunday long run. Time for a good social meet-up and chat with members from different groups that I wouldn’t normally run with. The banter on a frosty morning can’t be beaten!!
Long Term Running Goals:
Sadly, following a serious cycling-related injury, my running ambitions have been somewhat curtailed, but hoping I can continue to some degree.
Coaching Profile
Qualifications:
FiRW
How Long Have you been coaching:
On and off since early 2006
Why did you become a coach?
I’ve always been in the “put something in to get something out” camp and at the time WRC was rapidly growing and there was a need to formalise the Thursday effort sessions. Several members were encouraged to get involved. However, due to work commitments, I was never able to give it the time it needed but following the pandemic I’m hoping I will have more time.
Coaching Influences:
The one and only John Roberts, I received nothing but great advice from him. Not just running either, since he passed on some fantastic swimming advice which saw me through my first Ironman.
Also, a former coach at my old cycling club, who sadly passed away a few years ago and was bit of a task master, which has worn off a little on me. You have been warned.
Best Coaching Advice:
- Training is not racing. Do not confuse the two.
- Never give up.
Favourite Session to Coach:
One that can be done outdoors
Other Stuff
Favourite Film(s):
Das Boot – The Directors Cut. I even had a beer with Wolfgang Petersen after a screening at Hammersmith Riverside in the 90’s.
Favourite Book:
Novel: The Kraken Wakes (John Wyndham)
Running related: The Ghost Runner
Favourite Band/Musician:
The Rolling Stones
Favourite Food:
Pizza (any topping)
Other Interests:
Life-long cyclist and cycling fan.
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Beth Shippey
LiRFAbout Beth Shippey
WRC Member Since:
2014
WRC Coach Since:
2021
Running Profile
Favourite Race (type/distance/event):
I don’t really have a favourite race but most of my races have been 10ks
Best Running Performance:
10k PB at Little Bromley
Proudest Running Moment:
Completing GVRAT (Great Virtual Race across Tennessee over lockdown last year which improved my running to be able to complete the furthest distances I have ever run.
Favourite Runner(s):
Paula Radcliffe
Favourite Session to Run:
Moneghetti Fartlek and Love train
Long Term Running Goals:
To be able to improve my distance and run 10 and half marathon races.
Coaching Profile
Qualifications:
Lirf
How Long Have you been coaching:
Newly qualified in September 2021
Why did you become a coach?:
To be able to help others improve their running and for my own personal development
Coaching Influences:
All the WRC coaches and our most experienced runners
Best Coaching Advice:
Listen to your body
Other Stuff
Favourite Film(s):
I love a musical and ABBA so would have to say both Mamma Mia movies
Favourite Book:
Harry Potter series and The Help
Favourite Band/Musician:
I always say I was born in the wrong era as I love 80’s music.
Other Interests:
Does drinking gin count?