Inspiring runners - Paul Commons
The best thing about the 'races' are that they aren't races. People walk, walk/run, and yes, some go for fast times. There is a mix of abilities and everyone is there to encourage and support one another. SVN also helps people achieve incredible goals like 100 marathons, 20 marathons in 20 days etc.
Paul is a regular at their events. Yet just six years ago he wouldn't have been found anywhere near them. I spoke to Paul about how and why he became a runner.
Paul ran cross country at school. Unlike many children he enjoyed it. As he grew up he was very active and practiced marshal arts, becoming a 4th dan black belt. His career went well and he was successful earning good money. However, he began to mistreat his body and rely more and more on alcohol. Soon he weighed 22 stone and was a functioning alcoholic. He had no aspirations other than to work and drink.
In that moment he was struck by the man he had become. Out of shape, addicted to alcohol and unable to manage 5km without his body breaking down.
Some may have fallen into despondency and despair, but Paul decided to turn his life around. He returned the next week and did the 5km walk again. He began walking 6 miles three times a week and began to lose weight.
He dropped to 19 stone and started to run progressing from 5km to 10km. Soon he was doing half marathons and then marathons. Running longer distances rather than speed was more enjoyable so he signed up for longer distances.
Paul had stopped drinking and found an alternative, healthy obsession. His first marathon was in May 2015. The SVN Cakeathon. By 2016 he had joined the 100 marathon club. His 12th marathon was 26 loops of Samphire Hoe in Kent, a 100 mile distance.
It is now August 2020 and Paul has run 358 marathons. He hopes to hit 400 by the end of the year including 20 marathons in 20 days. He certainly qualifiers as an inspiration and not just in deed...
"Never underestimate what you can do." he advises, "Just give it a go. What's the worst that could happen."
He adds "Mental belief is so important. It's a physical challenge, but if you believe you can do it, you will."
It isn't just about him inspiring people. Paul is regularly inspired by others. "I have so much respect for other people I meet who are challenging themselves. They're amazing. Whether they are aiming to walk 5km or, like a woman I met recently, doing 100 half marathons in 100 weeks."
At one event Paul ran every lap with a different person until he had spent time with everyone who attended. "I loved getting to know people, hearing their story and encouraging them." It is something that seems to come so naturally to him.
"Running is my happy place", he tells me, "even if I have had a terrible day, when I lace up my trainers and pull on my shirt, whatever the weather, I am happy."
That must be true as he is currently on day 588 of a running streak. He runs a minimum of 6 miles on each day. His Strava and Facebook posts always include his catchphrase When you're miling you're smiling. That is certainly true for Paul.
