This month’s profile is from fell runner & ultrarunner extraordinaire, Ady Humphys. Ady is currently recuperating and will no doubt be flying across the moors again before we know it
1. Do you have a nickname?
No, not that I’m aware of anyway.
2. What is your favourite piece of running kit/equipment?
I recently purchased a new running watch. It’s a Suunto Race. It has a large Amoled touchscreen. It has a brilliant long battery life, I usually charge it every 10 days and that’s with everyday use.I can load lots of training schedules to it including Intervals, speed & tempo etc as well as maps and race routes for the longer races that I tend to run, and it was half the price of a Garmin Fenix too.
3. What is your favourite race and why?
Pennine Barrier 50 - a nice little 50 miler just an hour away from home in the gorgeous Yorkshire Dales with five little climbs, what’s not to like? I love to push myself to see how much I can go. If I complete any longer runs, they may be my new favourite race.
4. Any pbs that you are most proud of? (race or distance)
My first half marathon, Garstang half marathon 2016 - 1 hour 30 minutes 9 seconds (damn those 9 seconds). My first marathon, Hell of a Hill marathon 2016 - 4 hours 2 minutes. My first 50 miler, Pennine Barrier 2023 - 9 hours 57 minutes 34 seconds (16th place, 2nd M50).
5. What has been your worst running injury?
Not long after I joined Darwen Dashers the first time, I tore my left hamstring. This stopped me running for a couple of years, but I eventually started again. It comes and goes, so much so that a couple of years ago, I had to stop again and get it seen to by a sports physio. I just need to do some proper pre-workout stretching before any activity now to keep on top of it.
6. Improving Dasher to keep an eye on?
Joshua Turner - he makes fell running look easy and he’s already had some great results in fell races. He’ll be winning some soon, I have no doubt.
7. Where is the most exotic place that you have ever been for a run?
Havana seafront, Cuba - on my honeymoon we cruised the western Caribbean and we had a two day stopover in Havana. Obviously, an early morning run was called for.
8. Highlight of your running career so far
I do enjoy running as part of a team, especially part of the Fell Relays and helping others complete their longer runs like a Bob Graham Round etc.
9. Any hobbies we don’t know about?
I’m a big music fan. I buy a lot of vinyl records from independent music shops. I’ve a lot of CDs which I’ve just digitised onto my new toy - a Brennan B3+.
10. Interesting fact about yourself
I didn’t learn to drive until I was 40, and after I passed first time I bought myself a Mazda MX-5.
11. Most interesting job (past or present)
I’ve been in engineering all my working life and as part of that, we are always learning about new technology and/or processes. So, you can teach an old dog new tricks, apparently.
12. Dasher you admire and why
Jim Taylor - he just keeps going and going, no matter what.
13. Any future running ambition?
I’ve run a few ultramarathons, and have done a couple of 50 milers. I would like to extend the distance and do maybe a 100 km or 100 miler. Brecon Beacons 100 sounds like a race to do.
14. Favourite song on your playlist to run to?
Not a favourite, I tend to listen to programmes I’ve downloaded from BBC sounds usually.
15. Which person, past or present, would you most like to run with?
Jasmin Paris - it’s just mind-blowing what she’s achieved and such an inspiration for women in general.
16. Best thing about the Darwen Dashers
It’s a small, friendly running club with a great social side, or is it a social group with a side element of running!!
17. Any running (or other) superstitions?
No, not really. Only to make sure I complete my stretching prior to running
18. Your perfect, indulgent, post run meal
I struggle to eat fully after a run, especially a longer one, so I would say a packet of salt and vinegar crisps and a pint of beer, obviously.
19. One piece of advice for a new runner
Don’t take it too seriously, be patient and have fun.
20. Sum yourself up in 5 words
Motivated, determined, selfish, perfectionist, friendly.
