Inspiring striding - David Ward

We have so much love for our happystride community ❤️ You guys are so inspiring and we want to get to know you a little better...and we know others would like to as well.

SO we bring you to....the next post in our blog series ..."Inspiring striding"!!! We have the brilliant David Ward (AKA Wardy) join us!🖊

We are sooo pleased to have Wardy as our guest! Wardy got into running 22 years ago aged 40 and has completed 5 out of the 6 marathon majors with just Boston to go!

So if you want to know what inspired Wardy to take on the 6 marathon majors and his greatest running achievements please read on!

Thanks so much Wardy for joining in with our blog ❤️ 

How long have you been running for and how did you originally get into it?

I have been running for 22 years and started on my 40th birthday, I needed to strengthen my legs as i was given a snowboard and needed to toughen them up.   

Where is your favourite place to run?

It’s a local run, the seven woods. I love a trail run.

Tell us a bit about your running experience? PBs, etc?

My journey really ramped up when I joined my local running club, LOSS. I then discovered races and the family that is Leigh on Sea Striders.

PB’s

5k 22:09

Half Marathon 1:44

Marathon 3:46

What are your top tips?

Every run has a purpose and don’t forget to keep smiling.

What’s your greatest running achievement?

Centurion South Downs Way 50 miler

Stour Valley 100k

What does your running schedule typically look like and how do you fit it into your life?

Monday night easy run.

Wednesday night speed session.

Thursday yoga.

Friday swimming.

Saturday Parkrun with a few added miles thrown in.

Sunday long trail run.

I work up town so it is a bit of a squeeze to get it all in!

What’s your dream race?

Western States the golden ticket 100 miler race.

What’s your favourite running trainer and why?

Nike Pegasus Trail 4 Gore Tex. I have done all my Ultras in them and touch wood, never got a blister.

How do you like to celebrate after a race? 

It’s just got to be a nice cold beer!

Who are your running inspirations and why?

Dean Ovel LoSS Coach. He is always taking on bonkers challenges and smashing them out the park and he also loves a trail run.

You’re currently in the process of completing all 6 major marathons, tell us a bit about why you’re doing it and some highlights?

I was inspired to do this by a fellow Strider Neil Spicer who was awarded a trophy for completing this at our annual dinner dance. I need that medal in my collection, it’s a whopper.

Favourite one so far has to be New York, I felt like a superstar running this.

I only have one to go now and that is Boston and I hope to complete that in 2025.

What’s your favourite happystride pattern and why?

PEELY-COOL. It’s the one that gets the most comments when I wear them. Great conversation starter when running ultra’s.

If you could design the next pair of happystride shorts, what pattern would you choose and why?

This sounds a bit lame but I would love a blue pair with the LoSS logo printed all over them. One day my dream will come to fruition. 

Wow, thank you so much Wardy for joining us and answering our questions! Stay tuned for our next 'inspiring striding' blog in our series where we will have another inspiring guest!