Get to know our incredible Hawke’s Bay TempoFit coaches Eric and Laura …
ERIC SPEAKMAN
He’s one of New Zealand’s fastest ever over 1500m and a born-breed Hawke’s Bay boy. Eric oozes passion for running and loves sharing that passion with runners of all abilities. His coaching helps support his dreams of taking his running to the highest level.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT RUNNING?
I love running for two main reasons. I love the competition – nothing else quite gives you the head to head, mano a mano feeling that a foot race does. The second reason is it’s a great escape from the world. Just me and my thoughts.
WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT RUNNING?
There’s nothing I really hate about running although sometimes I do wish you got more reward for the amount of hard work you put in to improve. I’m also not a fan of long runs, so if they could go quicker but have the same effect that’d be great!
WHAT IS THE #1 PIECE OF COACHING ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?
I’ve received many a coaching gem along the course of my career. Onr that helped me develop my pace judgement from an early age came from my high school coach who always said “the race starts at halfway” meaning to make sure you’re still good to go, don’t spend all your energy in the beginning.
More recently I’ve taken note from current coach the we have to “manage total stress, not just running/training stress”. Remembering that things such as work (I stand all day) will take a toll on your body as well.
WHAT DO YOU TELL YOURSELF WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH IN A RACE OR WORKOUT?
When the going gets tough, the tough get going! Haha. But seriously, I usually just tell myself to hang in there, don’t let the group get away because there’s a good spell just around the corner. Most races you’ll have good and bad patches, it’s about limiting the damage during a bad patch and taking advantage of the good ones.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE FOR THOSE JUST STARTING OUT?
Running takes time. It’s a hard sport that doesn’t give a whole lot of reward to start with. In the beginning you really have to stick it out, get a routine, and then you’ll see the improvements coming in. Running always rewards smart hard training.
Eric’s Personal Best Times:
1500m: 3:37.44
3000m: 7:58.85
5000m: 14:28
LAURA NAGEL
After attending a US university on running scholarship, Laura is back in the Bay working for Hawke’s Bay Sport and still trains the house down, being crowned NZ Cross Country and 10k Champion in 2016.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT RUNNING?
There’s two things I love about running: A) I love the idea of being able to go as far as your body will take you. It’s a real mental game at times, but, in the end, it’s just you and your surroundings. B) I love the feeling of being fit, strong and healthy. Running has given me that so many times and has fuelled my motivation for over 11 years now.
WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT RUNNING?
I have a love/hate relationship with all the soreness and tiredness that comes with the training. I love trying to push my limits and pain barriers but the after effects of that sometimes aren’t quite as nice—especially when it comes to injury. The loneliness of the sport is also something that I struggle with at times.
WHAT IS THE #1 PIECE OF COACHING ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?
Balance your lifestyle. I’ve seen so many people give up running because they haven’t had balance in their life—whether that’s being too intense or not focused enough. I’ve also found I run my best when every aspect of my life is heading in a positive direction and all the things that need attention get that attention.
WHAT DO YOU TELL YOURSELF WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH IN A RACE OR WORKOUT?
Pain is temporary and this tough patch is just a phase—wait it out.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE FOR THOSE JUST STARTING OUT?
Stick it out. The worst part about starting something new in sport is the teething phases—getting fit and getting it right. When you start to realise your own progress, that’s when you realise all the hard work is finally getting somewhere. Training diaries/logs are great for that. I have noted pretty much every run (give or take a few) on Excel docs or books ever since I was 15. It’s incredible looking back and seeing how far I’ve come.
Laura’s Personal Best Times:
1500: 4:20
3k: 9:01
5k: 15:42
10k: 33:40