Club Vice Chairman Christian discusses his experiences with trail running, his progress in marathon training, his passion for cross-country racing, and his achievements in the local running community.
Christian Green
Interview - June 2024
When did you start running?
I’ve run from quite an early age, this started by simply being told to go out and burn off some energy by my parents when I was a youngster. As I grew up, I realised the sense of freedom it gave me. I ran competitively a bit at school but then football took over and running was just something I did on the side until injuries in football got me looking for other competition which is when I took to running as my main sport in 2015.
What runs do you enjoy best?
My greatest love has got to be trail running. Cross country racing is unbeatable when it comes to the excitement of intense competition, but I do also love the speed that can be achieved on the road and the track despite the track very much not being my natural environment or strong suit. To be perfectly honest, I just love to run so whether that be a solo adventure in the mountains or running with a group of mates around the roads of Somerset, if my legs are turning, I’m happy!
Joy of Mud! Gwent League XC Pont-y-Pool, running to second place finish, 2024.
What distances do you enjoy running most?
I think my favourite distance would have to be the half marathon as I really enjoy the sustained speed that can be achieved. I find shorter distances of 5k and under harder going but still enjoy the competition and burn! Marathons bring a very different challenge with a great deal of careful race management required which is also great fun.
Where is the best place you have run?
A difficult one! So many amazing memorable runs from the fantastic atmosphere of the London Marathon to the total peace and calmness of the highland mountains of Wester Ross. In 2018 I did some amazing mountain running in the mountains of Majorca running up and over the highest accessible peak Puig Massanella. I’m always drawn to the coast and the mountains with some of my favourite places being the more remote areas on the South West coast path, running the Classic Quarter 44 mile ultra race was very special. Snowdonia is another great favourite and a place I’ve enjoyed so many amazing runs.
Mountains of Majorca and the madness of London
Do you/did you participate in other sports?
I’ve always loved to be active and have in the past played football until a pretty serious ankle injury put a stop to that. I also played a lot of tennis but now running is my main focus with some cycling (both road and mountain biking) thrown in when time allows.
How often do you train?
I generally run 6 days a week, I try to make sure I get two quality sessions in, those will vary depending on which races I am targeting. I will then usually have a long run with a mix of road and trail runs with some varying paces across the week.
Do you have a preferred running brand?
Not really, I’m happy to try lots of different brands and always keen for a bargain, particularly with top shoes being so expensive now. I know some brands don’t fit me so well so I stay away from them, but I’d say the only constant at present would be a pair of Walsh PB ultras for trail running……a fantastic old school shoe!
What is your greatest running achievement?
I feel my strongest performance to date would probably have to be my half marathon with a time of 69:12 achieved this year at the Fleet Half. I also feel my performance at the Cader Idris Fell race last year would have to be a standout.
Fleet Half and Cader Idris Fell Race
If it’s not on Strava does it really count?
100% it does! I love to run completely free without Strava or a GPS watch. Whilst I did enjoy using Strava during lockdown to provide a good bit of competition I quickly found that I enjoyed running more without it, finding that it gives me greater freedom and helps me to run more to how my body feels. I do use a Garmin for very structured pace sessions but love my basic Casio for everything else!
You’ve done a handful of marathons. Do you feel like an experienced marathon runner now? Have you got unfinished business?
I’ve run 4 marathons now since 2021 and each one I feel I learnt so much. I really enjoy the process and building through the training for a marathon and feel like I am just starting to really understand the distance. By the same token, the understanding of the distance also makes me very aware of how much more there is to learn, tweak and perfect. Cramp has always been my nemesis in marathon running and each one I’ve raced I’ve dealt with and overcome that more effectively. Things are going very much in the right direction taking my PB down to 2:32:59 at London this year but feel like there’s more to do on that front.
Abingdon Marathon 2023
What is the appeal of trail and fell running for you?
I really enjoy the immersive experience of trail and fell running, the connection to nature is unique and in those special moments it becomes quite a spiritual thing. I relish the challenge of the varied terrain and just love to move freely through the landscape.
You have won some local events, can you list a few?
I’ve had a few wins at the local races, always fun and a nice boost. Some of them are the Street 5K, Wells 10k, Lightning Bolt 10k, Babcary, Butleigh, Quantock Beast, Herepath Half, Weymouth Half, Bridgewater Half and The Big Cheese.
Are there any standout moments during your time at Wells City Harriers? (for yourself and other members)
So many great moments. The cross-country season is always a highlight of every year. I love to compete with so many others as a team taking on the challenging courses and conditions. Some very memorable fixtures where we have won as a team such as Margam Park and Ponty Pool and winning back-to-back division titles 2022,2023. It’s also real buzz seeing great friends in the club excel smashing their own personal targets.
What’s it like having the role of Vice Chairman for the club?
I try to contribute as much as possible to the club and do my best to keep up to date and in touch across the club so I can add value to the committee by bringing as much as I can to all the meetings and other events. I would always like to do more but two young kids make life rather hectic. Ed, Alex and many other members of the committee do amazing work.
What are your future plans with running?
I would like to try to keep pushing on with my road times over the next few years, it would be really great to try to achieve a sub 32-minute 10k and try to lower some of my other shorter distance times before the limited speed I have starts to dwindle. I also want to try to keep pushing with the marathon distance. Longer term I would like to try some more ultra races once family life allows.
Why Wells City Harriers?
I love this club; it’s blessed with so many fantastic, friendly and inspiring individuals. I think the range of interests and abilities bring so much value and of course the brilliant coaching and camaraderie across the club.
To view Christian's performances, visit his 'Power of 10' and 'Run Britain' profiles, by clicking on the images below.
Missed an interview? Click on the links below to Meet another Harrier.
Graham Goldsmid - January 2024
Sophie Nicholls - December 2023