5 minutes with...Richard Roberts
What I have found since starting this site is that so many of the top runners in the sport of mountain running are approachable and genuinely great people, and this 5 minutes with … pipe-dream has quickly taken shape due to their kind cooperation – all I can say is that it makes my job even easier! In 2009 we will bring you conversations with some of the best runners in the world of off-road running, and we kick-off at home (real ‘home’ for me!), with the unassuming Welsh Fell Running Champion for 2008, Rich Roberts.
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So how did you get into all of this Rich?
I started racing in 2004, but I have always been into sport in some form or another. I played rugby at university until 2001, then joined the Territorial Army where I qualified as a PTI. I left the TA’s in 2004 so that I could start running. I was fairly fit at the time, but enjoyed going out drinking quite a bit so I didn’t take the racing too seriously. Then as I got fitter, I started doing better in races and started cutting down on the drinking. I won my first race in July 2005 (Tal y Fan, Conwy) but would have to admit it wasn’t a fast race and we got lost a couple of times so God knows how I won! From then on I suppose I got a taste for racing and became really keen. I never intended to take running seriously, merely to do it as a form of exercise and to meet people and make friends. Once I started to improve, I couldn’t help but take it seriously as deep down I’m so competitive! I steadily improved in 2006 and won a few races and then had a stormer in the trial race for the World Trophy and managed to gain selection and go to Turkey. Totally unexpected! This gave me confidence and so after injury over winter I improved again in 2007 winning some more races and running for Wales again, Snowdon and the World Trophy in Switzerland. These would have to be my career highlights so far.
What are your 2008 highlights?
Overcoming injury at the beginning of the year (I tore both calf muscles at the end of 2007 then had problems with my ITB at the turn of the year) and then to go on and get selected for Wales again. I thought I’d missed the boat and wouldn’t be fit enough in time. I represented Wales three times (Knockdhu, Snowdon and World Trophy). I also somehow managed to win the Welsh Athletics Mountain Running Champs and the WFRA’s Welsh Open and North Wales Series. On the flip side, I’d say I was disappointed with my performance in Knockdhu and the World Trophy, mainly due to lack of fitness at the time I think.
Richard Roberts - 2008, in the Welsh colours...
What’s on the horizon for 2009?
I haven’t decided yet exactly what my plans are. I’m going to be busy at work until April as I’m on a course, but I’ll be hoping to build up my fitness at the same time and then hopefully start with some speed work in the spring. Wales representation would be an aim especially with the Commonwealths in 2009 and I’m also keen to do better in the British Champs, try to be competitive. Other than that I’m not sure. Maybe do a couple of endurance races abroad and get some new PB’s in some of the road races. Mainly though, I just want to go and enjoy running and racing and be involved and hopefully win some races!
Training tips for would-be fell champions?
I’m not sure that I’m overly qualified to be giving people advice, especially as I’m usually the one desperately trying to get as many tips as I can from other runners. If I was to give one piece of advice though it would be that you should try to enjoy the running while you can because it’s a bugger when you’re injured. Basically don’t take your fitness for granted!
What gets you excited outside of running?
I enjoy other sports like mountain biking and skiing/snowboarding but that doesn’t make me sound very interesting does it? What can I say, I’m a sport nerd! I do enjoy a glass of wine or two and am starting to do a bit of cooking as I have just bought my first house so needs must! But if you asked my partner (Anna Bartlett) she’d tell you she quite regularly tells me to stop talking about running! Being a fellow runner she doesn’t need me going on about it after the event!
Rich smells the beer!
The world’s about to end in 5 minutes, what would you do?
Have a beer! (Amen to that. Ed)
