Training for the Nottingham Post Corporate Challenge – an interview with Jayne Francis-Ward

The Nottingham Post Corporate Challenge – Team NMB Profile: Jayne Francis-Ward

Occupation: Corporate director and monitoring officer of policy planning & corporate services at Nottinghamshire County Council.

Distance to run:  As part of the Nottingham Post Corporate Challenge, supported by Nottingham Means Business I’m running the Ikano Robin Hood Mini Marathon, a distance of 1.5 miles.

Jayne Francis-Ward

Q. Are you a regular runner?

A.  I actually started running about a year ago using the NHS Couch potato to 5K programme. A year before this I quit smoking having been a 30-a-day smoker for many many years, even walking up stairs was an effort for me. After I quit smoking I decided I wanted to get much fitter and I now run two miles every other day and I love it! If I can do it anyone can!

Q. How are you honing your training, are you doing anything different in preparation?

A. I will continue to run every other day as normal, but I will up my running to two miles every day the week before the challenge.

Q. Aside from the vigorous training, are there any other ways you are preparing? 

A.  An event is always a great excuse for a new outfit or shoes. I plan on buying both! It will be sports stuff, of course!

Q. Have you got any personal goals to beat?

A.  My goal is to reach the finish line before my colleague and friend Celia Morris. A little friendly competition is always a good goal!

Q. Why have you entered the Corporate Challenge?

A. I want to support Nottingham Means Business as does the County Council, so this is a great way to represent both NMB and the County Council whilst supporting a good cause.

The funds raised by the Nottingham Means Business team will be donated to CityCare, a staff-led enterprise, which works across Nottingham to provide extensive health services specifically in the home but also in health centres across the city.

CityCare gave a high level of service to Jim Taylor, the founder of NMB who sadly passed away earlier this year, to donate to the team please visit: http://www.gofundme.com/cl7auk