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The Interview tries to cover a fair cross-section of Members and this time we introduce a new member. Many people try to escape harassment by claiming they have not been members long enough to be 'Interviewed'. However, at the recent Club Dinner, I struck up a conversation with Rupert. Nigel's notes on new members said that Rupert was a tri-athlete about to launch into hill-running. With that as a starter and after some diplomacy, he agreed to be interviewed. As you may know, the Interview can take three forms I) a face-to-face encounter, TV style, 2) a chat over the telephone or 3) a list of questions sent through the post, with hand-written replies typed up to look like a face to face. (The Interviewer doesn't live in Edinburgh, so methods 2 and 3 have to be used sometimes. We may or may not reveal which method was used). What brought you to Scotland? Quality of life. Eimear (my wife) and I had worked in London for a few years and were keen to escape the South East! I'd lived in Glasgow in 1993 (where, incidentally I met Jamie (Thin) at swimming training) and so Glasgow and Edinburgh featured in our preferred options for a move. Luckily, a job came up for Eimear at the City hospital, so we moved up and I managed to get a job a couple of months later. I left Glasgow in 1993 to take a year out travelling in Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Tell me about your early years. I was born in Lincoln but spent the majority of my formative years in Exeter. I have one sister and one brother. My first move away from home was to take a degree at Leicester, followed by a Masters at Birmingham. I am married to Eimear, who is also a member of Carnethy. My early athletics were not very promising! At 15 1 took up cycling, competing in both road races and time trials with a local Club in Exeter. What is your most satisfying athletic achievement so far? Being ranked in the top ten of the Scottish Grand Prix Triathlon series in 1993. But you must have been very fit then. Why the gap in your athletics since 1993? Have you had health or injury problems? No, its just a matter of opportunity. Living in London and travelling made it difficult to get the training in. How did you discover the hills? Whilst I have always enjoyed the countryside, until recently this has tended to be on a bike. I've only relatively recently -since meeting Eimear - discovered the joys of walking! I don't pretend to know the Scottish hills and mountains at all well, yet. My tally of Munros has reached the huge total of 3 - Ben More (is that the Perthshire one? No, Mull), Ben Nevis and Schiehallion - and no, Munroing doesn't matter to me! All that matters is that I have enjoyed walking in the hills immensely (apart from the bulk of the trudge up Ben Nevis). And your first hill run? Up and down Cow Hill, Fort William, as part of the Lochaber Mountain Bike Triathlon in 1993. This was with some others from the Glasgow TriClub, of which I was a member at the time, to add a bit of variety to the usual triathlons. I still do a bit of cycling, although not competitively, and the odd triathlon or two - done one this year and aim to do a couple next year. So you have a regular training schedule? Yes, my average mileage at present is about 25 per week - having improved gradually from 10! Eimear and I have just heard that we have been accepted for the London Marathon (my third attempt to get a place) so this will, have to increase over the next few months. What sort of hill run do you enjoy most? Being very new to hill running, my favourite at the moment is trail running for about an hour, with Eimear. And your perfect race? That would be a mountain triathlon, as I love swimming and mountain biking. The one in Fort William in 1993 was excellent. Does anyone know if any such events exist now? Please let me know if you do. How did you come to join Carnethy? By meeting Hilary Spenceley. My job is Research Co-ordinator with Scottish Homes, which involves commissioning and managing housing-related research. Initially, I just went out to have a go at the Boghall Handicap. I really enjoyed it and found everyone dead friendly, so decided to join. What are your views on access to the hills and economic development of the mountain areas? My initial impressions are that access to the hills is much easier in Scotland than England - but this is based on limited experience. As yet I haven't had any problems with access. I feel it is crucial that a balance is struck between preservation of the environment and ensuring that people who live in rural Scotland are able to maintain/gain employment. This is vital to maintain a 'living' countryside and not just a place of second and holiday homes. The term is often misused but the key is to achieve sustainable development. How do you look on the risks of running in the hills? I take it very seriously, especially as I am an inexperienced navigator! Have you had any life-threatening experiences in the hills? No, not yet, although I can see how they might come about. As far as races are concerned, safety has to he an important part of the organisation because of the risks. However, competitors should enter hill races with their eyes open. Tell me about your other pastimes. Music? Dancing? Do you read a lot? I've just finished Bill Bryson's 'Notes from a Small Island', which I'd recommend everyone to read. My favourite book is Aldous Huxley's "Island". Other than sport, I love to travel and get together with friends - which doesn't leave a lot of time for much else! Now my favourite question (obsession?); Where does your motivation and enthusiasm come from? I just massively enjoy getting and being fit. The challenge of sport, whether it be running, cycling, swimming or triathlon does it for me. Do hill runners need Big Organisation? I don't know much about the SAAA or the SHRA and the like. A big organisation is only required in my view to provide guidance eg safety and to promote the interests of fell runners. What are your dreams and ambitions? * To do an Ironman Triathlon. This really is a bit of a dream given my current training and fitness but 1 am very keen to do a half Ironman next year. * To run a sub-3-hour marathon - not sure whether I'll make it but I'll give it a good go at London in April. At least it should be better than my one and only previous time of 3.45 in New York last year. * To find a way of getting by without having to spend 8 hours in an office each day - unfortunately, unless I win the Lottery this isn't likely at the moment! * To see Exeter City at Wembley. * To see England win the World Cup!!! Who are your heroes? As a cyclist at heart my heroes tend to be the likes of Hinault, Kelly and Pantani. However, somewhat sadly, I hold a deep affection for Exeter City FC and, despite what seems like many more downs than ups, they have remained my true heroes since childhood. Predict what will be happening in 2010. So much has happened to me in the last 11 years that there is no way I could even begin to think what will be happening in 2010 - all I hope for is that 1 will be enjoying it. Who should I interview next? Sorry, I don't know enough people in the Club yet or who you have interviewed before. Have you interviewed Andy or Hilary Spenceley or Nick or Irene Schierloh? Guess how many you do know. Oh, about 15. Would you like to meet more? Yes. How can the Club go about helping people to meet more people? The handicaps are a great way of meeting like-minded people in a friendly environment. Keep them going at all costs. I went to the Dinner and met a lot of people there. As far as my experience of Clubs goes, Carnethy does better than most to get people together. |