National title for vegan runner!

It’s probably fair to say Lisa Gawthorne has had a mixed season.  She’s taken 5th and 4th at European level (more here) but also suffered an injury setback.  Earlier this year she also took second at the British Masters 3km championships.

She’s just competed in the British Masters 5000m Championships – running only her second track race at the distance.  Competing in the 40+ age bracket she won her race – and beat all other competitors from age 35 to 75.  She won in 18:29.

“I went out with focus and maintained robotic clockwork pacing for most laps and lead the race from start to finish” she says.  “It wasn’t easy by any means, the wind levels were tough for part of the track but just dug in and tried to maintain consistency.”

Her coach had prepared her excellently, although Lisa’s preparation in all aspects was key.

Now aged 43, Lisa’s been vegan since age 21 after 15 years as a vegetarian.  She was initially inspired to change because of factory farming, although she also feels she has nutritional advantages.

“I really think that the increasing amount of professional athletes that are going vegan have proved to the wider world that is shouldn’t be thought of as a handicap instead it can be quite the opposite – it really can deliver benefits and advantages that will help people soar above their goals and objectives in sport.”

The company director has a real enthusiasm for sports and we’ve come to expect more success in more disciplines.  She’s also creating her own memories and says the recent nationals title was a “magical day that will stay with me forever.”