Adam Thompson

Tuesday, January 09, 2018


Q. Who are you and what you do for a living?

Hi! My name is Adam but friends call me 'Thommo'.  I'm originally from Norwich in the UK but I've been living in Stockholm, Sweden, for the past 5 years. I am currently a teaching assistant studying for my PGCE to become a primary school teacher. 
 

Q. How do you balance your exercise regime and your professional life?

I tend to organize my running around work, running to and from work several days a week. I often squeeze in a little run on my lunch break and I belong to a running club who run on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings called Ssideline City Run Club (Yes two S's in Ssideline!).


Q. When and why did you start running?

I got into running seriously towards the end of 2016. I had only done a few races up to that point and did short distance as a teenager but didn't think it would become such a big part of my life. I gave up smoking just over a year ago and I've seen my results and fitness soar. 

Q. What motivates you to go out there, when you do not feel like it?

I love getting out and getting a run in, regardless of the weather but sometimes it can be hard to get out in the sub zero temperatures. However the feeling after a run, any run, is indescribable. That's my main motivation, along with seeing results and there's nothing better than smashing a PB! 


Q. What is the longest distance you have ran? 

I've run half marathons but currently the longest distance I have run is 30k. I am running my first marathon (Stockholm) this summer. At the moment I'm involved in a 'run battle' and my running club is competing against 30 other clubs from across the world. It's a distance challenge to see how far you can run in January - I'm currently at 104k after one week. 



Q. What gives you the confidence to run in the streets?

I'm often so in the 'zone' I tend to just ignore people and get on with it! I give a nod or a thumbs up to a passing runner and if people make negative comments, which they have, I just store it as motivation to run harder and stronger. I try and run out in nature as much as I can or away from the city center as the run tends to be stressful as all you end up doing is dodging people! 



Q. What do you think about the lack of exercise?

Living in Sweden, you see a lot of people out exercising - it's really inspiring. I try and teach my students in their PE lessons the importance of staying fit and active. I'd like to think they listen to me! 

Q. What was your best running experience?

Finally getting a sub 20 minute 5k (Norwich park run this Christmas) was a very happy moment for me and short lived running career! Finishing my first half marathon was also special and all the crowd support was breathtaking, awesome experience. 


Q. What was your worst running experience?

I fell down a steep hill in a 15k cross country race after 1.5k and had to then run for another hour with a leg that was bleeding and hands that were raw after scraping them along the ground during the tumble. I finished however and I'll be back to tackle it again this year! 

Q. How do you push through the pain?

When a race gets tough I just think about all the good work it's doing to my body and how good it will feel at the end. I think that running is very mentally challenging and your head plays tricks on your legs, wanting them to give up, get over that mental barrier and you can achieve anything. 

Q. What advice can you give somebody who wants to start running?

Start small and build up. Get out there and see what you can do. Stop and walk if it's hard to run and eventually you'll build up enough stamina to continuously run 1k, 2k and then much more. Any run is better than no run :) 



Q. Which Social media sites are you on and how can one follow you?

I mainly use Instagram for all my running activity - you can follow me and my January battle adventure on @ginger_is_running

#RunRevolution

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