Paul is one of our more regular runners. Like many of our members Paul started running by training for the Great Scottish Run several years ago but has now decided to make it a year round pursCommitting to more consistent and regular training over the last two years he has seen real benefits in his own endurance and performance levels.
Paul loves participating in races, is an avid park runner (when he’s not coaching his boy’s football team), lover of cake and a really positive person to run with. Calm, up for a laugh but with a steely determination to improve we are confident Paul has many more running goals left to achieve.
| RUNBETWEENER OF THE MONTH
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| THE WARM UP WHEN THIS SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA
ABOUT YOU |
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| Name: | Paul Killen |
| Age: | 43 |
| Town of Birth: | Glasgow |
| Running Club(s): | The Runbetweeners |
| Something interesting we don’t know about you: | I organised my wedding to ensure there was no clash with any of the knockout games at Euro 2004 just in case Scotland made it through the group stages. (They ultimately failed to qualify!) |
| THE LONG HARD MILES WHEN YOU WONDER WHY YOU’RE DOING THIS
RUNNING |
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| How and when did you start running? | Great Scottish Run 2013 was my first race |
| Why did you start running? | Like all stupid things men do, it started in the pub with my best man daring me to do it because he’d been press-ganged into it at work – and he didn’t think I could do it. I’ve been at it ever since. |
| What is your favourite route to run? Why? | I have no particular favourite routes. I like variety and take different twists and turns on most of my runs. I do like running through parks though, despite my hayfever. |
| What is your favourite race? Why? | There’s three I’d like to mention, for different reasons.
Troon 10K, for the quality of the local support that come out and clap you on. Brian Goodwin 10K for the post race goodies. Skye Half Marathon for the hospitality. |
| Proudest running achievement? Why? | Tough one. Taking 13 minutes of my PB at Skye was up there, but probably going through the whole of 2016 with all my 10ks under 50 minutes was the best. It was the first year I’d really ‘done’ running races properly. I ran the Tour of Clydeside that year which has a 10k on day 5, as well as 4 races in 3 weeks (including a Half), so the schedule was tough. |
| What are your current running goals / ambitions? | I’d love to get a sub 45 10k and a sub 22 5k. |
| One bit of advice you would give a new runner? | I know it’s been said before, but having running companions has really helped me. I ran on my own for a long time, and was happy doing so, but I’ve got so much more out of it, and much better, since joining The Runbetweeners. |
| What does your better half / family think about your running? | My wife’s supportive, although I do get some strange looks when I’m heading out at 8pm on a Sunday for a long one. Kids, can get excited and bored with it, all inside the space of 5 minutes. |
| THAT BIT WHEN THE SMILE RETURNS TO YOUR FACE
SPRINT FINISH |
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| What is your favourite Runbetweeners session? | Gotta love the Time Trial |
| If you could run anywhere in the world? | Boston Marathon |
| Pollok parkrun personal best and seasons best? | Pollok PB 22:53 Season PB 23:37 |
| Favourite parkrun? | Victoria Park |
| With 6 months injury free training how fast could you run Pollok parkrun in? | I’d like to think sub 22 training properly |
| Favourite distance? | 10k, but I’m beginning to think it may be Halfs |
| Who is your running hero? | Michael Johnson – he just made it look effortless |
| Your best running habit? | Remembering to put my shoes on |
| Your worst running habit? | Like a lot of folks, a proper cool down. |
| One for the guys – tights or shights? | Tights. Always. |
| Kenny or Jack? | Kenny for his directional sense, Jack for the celebrity cast-offs |
| COOL DOWN
WELL EARNED CAKES |
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| Describe The Runbetweeners in your own words. | The Runbetweeners has been a great source of inspiration for me. I had reached about as far as I could go on my own.
Having been with the group for a year and half now I’m faster and better and I’ve met lots of new pals. I no longer get to a race and stand talking to myself in a corner.
Jack and Kenny are always helpful and forthcoming with tips, and there is a great camaraderie within the group. |
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