A woman who runs
Hi, I'm Thia!
I am so glad you have found my website. Perhaps you have a dream of running adventures that seem impossible. Today might be the day to take a step towards making them reality! I’m on that journey and would love for you to join me.
My first impossible dream was to run in the Olympic games. That was in 1985 and it never happened. I did not have my next impossible running dream till 2016… to run the Comrades marathon. That hasn’t happened..yet! But a lot has happened.
It set me on a marathon journey that evolved into a crazy, most marvellous impossible dream: to complete the Dragon’s Back Race, a 6 day ultra-marathon in Wales, known as one of the toughest mountain races in the world. I did it!
Just so you know, a whole lot of it wasn’t actually running, but to make the cut-offs I ran whenever I could.
I will probably never stand on a podium again, but I am glad that I stopped postponing my dreams and that I gave myself permission to run. Running can be self-care, it certainly is for me. It has transformed my life.
My running journey started young. Initially, of course it was for sheer joy. Early success quickly brought pressure to perform which resulted in a painful loss of dreams and ambitions by age 16. From then on into midlife running was more of a survival tool: something I had to do for my sanity, but felt guilty about. This all changed when I let go of the guilt. It was a journey of cultivating gratitude and joy, just as much as building physical fitness and vitality.
Run coaching is something I always dreamt of doing too! My first career path as a medic and anaesthetist has given me a lot of insight into the health benefits of an active lifestyle! Helping you run is to take care of your health, whereas doctoring is often more about managing disease. I coach alongside my less-than-full-time employment in the NHS and will only ever take on a maximum of 10 clients.
I am passionate about helping others realise their dreams in running. This ability to dream and then make it happen is good for all of life. What will you discover when you dare to pursue your dreams?
My experience and training
I will include all my formal education and training here, as it will give your an idea of my background and the knowledge and experience that I can draw from. However, in my capacity as a running coach, I am not your health practitioner.
Lydiard Coaches Certification Level 3 (advanced), 2024
Leader in Running Fitness, UK Athletics, 2024
Yoga Teacher Training (300hr) with Aurolab, Swansea, 2020
Yoga Teacher Development Programme (60hr) with Aurolab, Swansea, 2021
BTEC Level 2 in Visual Arts, Gower College, Swansea, 2015 (distinction)
Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, London, United Kingdom, 2008 – 2024
Diploma in Anaesthetics, Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, 1999
MBChB, University of Stellenbosh, South Africa, 1997
Running experience:
Pre-teen years
Athletics:
Western Province Junior Championships 1st in 1500m u/14 girls, 1986, 4min45s
Cross-Country:
Represented Western Province at South African Championships in u/14 girls category 1985 – 1986
Road:
Half marathon, Potchefstroom, South Africa, 1984 (aged 11), 96min, 1st female
Top ten finish in women’s 10km, Cape Town, 1986, 48min50s.
Loss of performance and health, suffering with injury and delayed puberty. This is not an uncommon experience for girls who perform well early. The factors that put young female athletes at risk are layered and complex. It is a painful, bone-crumbling and heart-breaking journey. I view these experiences as formative for my philosophy and approach as a coach. Running must add to health and happiness, not take away from it. A holistic and balanced approach is necessary for enjoyment, as well as performance.
Periodization of training is different for men and women, because females have a monthly hormonal cycle. Taking this into account in relation to a training plan is important.
20’s and 30’s
Cross country:
Tried year on year through university, but continued to be plagued by injury, unable to achieve a peak performance.
Road:
The odd half marathon or 10km. PB of 89min and some seconds (can’t remember)
40’s
A new era of running joy and achievement!
Road and Trail:
Hoka Trail Half Marathan, Afan Forest, 2017, 1st female
Great Welsh Half Marathon, Llanelli, 2018, 1st female
Welsh Half Marathon Championships, Tenby, 2018, 3rd female
Swansea Half Marathon, Swansea, 2018, new PB of 88min45s
Yellow t-shirt in Welsh Castles Relay leg 2018
Rotterdam Marathon April 2017, 3hr45min
Snowdonia Marathon October 2017, 3hr45min
Newport Marathon April 2018, 3hr18min
London Marathon April 2019, 3hr9min
RWC Brecon Beacons Trail Ultra 34miles, June 2019, 2nd female, 5th overall
Gower trail Marathon (unofficial) with few friends, November 2020
Dragon’s Back Race, September 2021, withdrew at the end of day 4 (DNF)
Northern Traverse, 190miles Wainwright Way Coast to Coast, April 2022, 99hrs30min
Black Mountains trail Marathon, May 2022, 3rd female
50’s
Dragon’s Back Race finisher, September 2023 (2nd FV50)
RWC Celtic trail Marathon, December 2023 (1st FV50, 7th Female)
RWC Pembrokeshire Coast 50 miler, June 2024
