Hvad spiser en dedikeret løber til morgenmad inden et race?
Hvad fik ham til at starte med at løbe?
Og hvad er hans 3 bedste råd til debutanter på halvmarathondistancen?
Det er blot nogle af de spørgsmål, du får svar på i interviewet med englænderen Tom Wade, der kastede sin kærlighed på en dansk pige og nu løber for Aarhus 1900.
Name: Thomas Væsel Wade
Age: 28
Club: Aarhus 1900
Family Status: Married to a dane, first child arriving in November, works as a sports teacher
/When and why did you start running ?
My grandfather introduced me to athletics when I was 7 years old and I mostly ran cross country and track. I started training more seriously when I attended university at 18 and have been progressing ever since.
/How many marathons and half marathons have you run?
I ran my first half marathon as part of my track training in 2014. Since then I have ran three more, Berlin in 2015 (where I ran my personal record of 65.00), Lillebælt in May this year and then this years Aarhus Half. I hope to run my first marathon maybe this fall in either Germany or Denmark.
/How often do you train?
I have been training 130km a week, training every day of the week (sometimes twice a day).
/What motivates you to run so often ?
I am really competitive with myself, I am addicted to want to be better and run faster than my last race. This has been my biggest motivation and has made me a decent athlete. Although, this is starting to change, I am running more road races and half marathons where you can enjoy running in different cities/towns, soak in the atmosphere of the support more compared to running around a track. Its making me appreciate a new side of running rather than striving for better performances.
/How do you fit with your training into your everyday life with family and work?
Over the last few years I have not worked full time so I can peruse my athletics career. But now I am working full time I have had to change the way I approach my training. I now try to train smarter rather than harder. A big change is to use my commute to and from work as the bulk of my training, adding more kilometres on the way to reach my target km’s for the week. This free up a lot more time for me to keep up with everyday responsibilities. Whilst using the weekends for my longer training runs as this is where I have the most time. But its regular planning and sustained dedication to continue this over a long period of time.
/What is your best running experience?
The race that made me qualify for the European cross country Championships and being part of a team in the American collegiate system, training and racing around the states for two years. These are some of my best experiences but winning the Aarhus half is equally as fun for me. I have never been able to share the success with with so many friends, family, students I teach etc.. as I have done with this race so it has been such an amazing experience.
/What is your worst running experience?
There isn’t one that stands out, but getting injured is always frustrating and the worst experiences for me. Especially if it happens when you are in great shape!
/What is the most important thing, when you run?/What can’t you live without when running?
My Garmin Vivoactive GPS watch! I am a little obsessed with knowing exactly how far and how fast I’m running at all times.
What do you eat for breakfast on an important race day?
A small bowl of raw oats with a chopped banana.
What is your experience with Aarhus City Halfmarathon?
It’s a complete adrenalin rush from start to finish. I ran 1hr 42mins last year with a friend and said to him that I wanted to comeback next year and try and win it. I came back this year and I had the same amazing feeling all the way around the course as I did the year before. It’s a part atmosphere that carries you through all the tough moments. Also running with and being supported by so many amazing people makes its that much better than any other race.
/Do you ever consider quitting running and do something totally different?
I am a sport teacher and I love playing and being the best I can be at every sport possible, its my passion. I excel most at running and will never stop completely. I will continue to play and learn as many new sports as I can!
3 good tips for debutants running a half marathon?
- Train! Its even more enjoyable if you feel good the whole way round. It makes a big difference.
- Work your way into the race. You don’t need to be a hero in the first 5km! Keep a sustained effort throughout the race if possible, if you feel good at the end you can always push harder in the last few kilometres. Then after your first half you will have a time to improve for next time if that is your motivation.
- Enjoy! After all that’s what its all about.
What are your future running plans?
After a few easy weeks after Aarhus Half I will start building my fitness towards my debut in the marathon.
Will we see you at the starting line for BESTSELLER Aarhus City Halfmarathon 2018?
I hope so!
