Page 17 - Top Cover Issue 15

MAY 2019 TOP COVER 17

Running on top of the world

Met Police Sgt Paul Hollis is taking running for charity to new heights...

“I will treat the Manchester and I had such a horrible time (poor they assessed the effects of altitude on
London marathons in April as pacing and fuelling), I thought me while on a treadmill. I got through
training runs then.” These words I would never run another. But who that, but it showed me how hard it is
actually came out of my mouth to hasn’t said ‘Never again’, just prior going to be at this sort of altitude.
a friend when it was confirmed that to entering the next? I also have plenty of training runs
I had a space in the Himalayan Five years on and another 18 planned. I’ve completed six marathons
100-mile stage race. marathons under my belt, at the age in the first five months of 2019
Currently a Custody Sergeant in of 46, I have my eyes on the 100-mile alone, and know I have to get used to
the Met, I’m no longer an AFO, but event in November, and plan on running back-to-back days to give the
I maintain membership of the PFOA having my eyes on the highest point legs an idea of what I am in for. But
for the work and support they provide. of the planet with views of Mount like many officers working shifts, a
I have also not given up on the idea of Everest treating entrants. strict training plan is an impossibility
carrying again in the future. So what is the Himalayan and so I have to work around this.
I am not a ‘super-fast, good for 100-mile stage race? Well, day one I’ve decided to raise money from
age’ marathon runner. In the police is 24 miles of trail running with this event for the Cardiomyopathy
we have some rockets; the Exeter an altitude gain of more than over UK. I’ve raised money for them at
Marathon last year was the venue 10,000ft! There’s another 20 miles on many events in the past; they are a
for the Police Sport UK (PSUK) day two, before the Mount Everest great charity that supports people
marathon, and PSUK took an Challenge Marathon on day three. who are diagnosed with the heart
incredible first, second, third and Then it’s a day of only 13 miles before disease, as well as their families. You
fifth – with the fifth-place finisher also 17 miles on the final day. can find out more on my charity
being the first female home. But I’m In all honesty I am somewhere page, at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/
happy with where I am, running between excited and terrified to be cardiorunners
sub-four hour in London this year. taking this on. I realise how much
I was introduced to the idea of the I have taken on when I tell people
100-mile stage race in the Himalayas about this event and see their
by the founder of a running club that I reactions. To plan and prepare,
help out and coach for. She completed I have been for a session at the
the event in 2014 and I never thought altitude centre in London, where
it would be an event I could even
consider. I ran my first marathon in
2013 and, after my second in 2014,

Picture copyright: Andre Gle / Shutterstock WWW.PFOA.CO.UK