Jaynie races ahead
We talk to Jaynie Phillips from Manchester, who competed in six gruelling events to boost ASBAH’s funds.
Manchester’s very own superwoman took part in six tough races in her bid to raise money for ASBAH in 2006.
Jaynie, from Didsbury, tackled six events ranging from 10K runs to triathlons throughout the summer months, raising more than £600 in the process… and she plans to do it all again this year.
Super-fit Jaynie decided to run for ASBAH after discovering, two years ago, that she has arrested hydrocephalus
“I was very surprised to discover that I’ve had it since birth. It hasn’t caused me any problems at all as it occurred when I was a baby so my body was able to adapt.
“But ASBAH was very helpful in providing me with information when it was first diagnosed, so I thought it would be good to raise money for the organisation.”
Jaynie began running several years ago, competing in 10K runs and then her first half marathon, the Great North Run. “Although I couldn’t walk for a week afterwards, I loved it and I’ve done it for the past 3 years now,” she explained.
“Over the past few years I have watched my partner compete in the Olympic distance triathlons and always wanted to give it a try so last year I bought all the equipment I needed and gave the sprint distance a go - which is 750m swim in open water, 20k bike ride and 5k run.
“It is quite hard as you have to train for three sports. I found the swimming the hardest and up until Christmas 2005, I couldn’t swim front crawl at all. Swimming in open water was really frightening at first and it wasn’t until I was into my second race and the water had warmed up a bit that I became used to it.
“But nevertheless, after I’d done my first triathlon I became totally addicted. They are so much fun. My challenge this year is to do the Olympic distance.”
2007 promises to be a hectic year for Jaynie as she recently took up the position as PA to the Company Secretary of a large media company after nine years in her previous job. She has also started a part-time teacher training course at University.
But she added: “I loved taking part in so many events last year and every race has been a personal best, so I’ve a lot to live up to this year. 10k is still my favourite distance but the Triathlon is my new passion and I hope to train hard and improve on my time.”