Limbering up for road race (From Stroud News and Journal)

Limbering up for road race

AS runners the length and breadth of the Five Valleys gear up for the district's biggest athletic event the SNJ's sports editor is swapping the sportsdesk for his running shoes. Ashley Loveridge, 36, is preparing to take part in Sunday's Stroud Half Marathon - his first long-distance race.

"I was going to do it last year and got fit for it but unfortunately I damaged my ankle," said Ashley, who is running with the Fifth Dimension team to raise money for the Meningitis Trust.

"I ended up with a ligament injury and reluctantly had to watch from the sidelines instead which was very frustrating."

Ashley has been training for six weeks with Jason Ford and Richard Stonebridge from the Ebley-based Fifth Dimension fitness centre.

"I've been going out two times a week on the road which isn't really enough to be perfectly honest," said Ashley.

"I've hit the realisation that it's actually going to be on this Sunday and am getting a bit worried."

Ashley has no illusions about finishing at the front of the pack and said he would be proud to simply cross the line.

"They always say that the first 20 minutes are the hardest while you get into your breathing and after that it should be plain sailing," he said.

"I'm not too sure about that - there are a few small climbs on the course I'm not looking forward to.

"But I'm up for it and looking forward to it. "At the end of the day it's just about having the right mental approach and if I can keep telling myself I am feeling good I can do it."

"Things have improved since last year but I'm still no Dan Robinson.," he said

"So long as I finish and don't come last I'll be happy.

"But I'm aiming at a very slow time of around two and a half hours."

"I think I've got a level of fitness to see me through but there will be lots of ambulances there just in case, so I should be alright."

* Anyone wanting to sponsor Ashley's effort can post cheques made out to the Meningitis Trust to Marathon Man, Stroud News & Journal, 6 Lansdown, Stroud, GL5 1BE.