Jason Ward

 

D.O.B:

15/9/78

Club/County/Country:

Altrincham/ Yorkshire.

Personal Profile:

I’m a very intense person when it comes to my running I don’t accept 2nd best, which leads me to run very hard every time I race (always pushing the pace). I train with a very good group of runners who are all the same so training is very intense (all international level athletes). My main running is done on the roads and x country, I do track but prefer the winter. You could describe me as a very hard and strong runner but with a very fast turn of pace. I normally race from 3000m upwards. 

Ambitions/Future aspirations:

My ambition is to represent my country at a major champs at the marathon. But this year it’s to break 29mins for 10k and make the world x country team.

Best Race: For me has to be the boulder bolder for atmosphere its fantastic, plus have really run well there against the best runners in the world. Best performance for me has to be either winning the Leeds abbey dash or running 2nd fastest time at this years national road relays behind Mo Farah. 

Worse Race: Ghent 2005, I was leading the race by 15 seconds after 10 minutes of running against people who have been in top 10 at European champs, I died pretty badly.

Personal best performances:

• 10k 29.17
• 5k. 14.20
• 5 mile 23.36
• Half marathon 65.00

Championship/Competitive Achievements:
Junior:

• 39th European x country champs
• 2nd national x country
• 2nd English schools
• 1st twice at north of England champs.

Senior:

• North of England 5k champ
• 9th Intercounties x country
• fast legs at road relays northern and national.
• 21st  At boulder bolder 10k (usa)

The winter season …
… did not really go to plan. So i took a bit of a break from racing after xmas to get back into some type of shape that i would be happy with. I was running around 80 miles a week through jan/feb and march without doing any sessions. Me and my coach then decided to plan the coming 6 to 12 months. First was to get back into racing so i did a local 10k(lord mayors) which i won then i did the northen and national relays which got me back into racing mode. At the end of april i did the sheffield half marathon again which i won in 68 minutes, this ended up being a easy race as after pushing the first 3 miles hard i had such a lead that i could enjoy the rest. by the end i felt very comfortable. The last few weeks have been very tough as i have been pushing close to 120 miles a week which im really feeling the benefit of.
What does the future hold, the long trem goal is going to be the marathon as i think i can run quickly over the distance, but short term i will be hoping to get  in the 28s for 10k and  63s for half marathon. Racing wise i will be doing a few 3ks at the trafford open meetings and running 5ks in the british premier league with a view to running fast at the aaas 10k champs in july, and then the trials for world half marathon champs. And of course the brooks brighton 10k. So the key phrase you are going to here from me over the next few months will be milage milege mileage. As i will be averaging beteen 100 to 130 a week. Hope to see you all soon.

 

Favourite Colour: Red.
Favourite Music: I like any type of music.
Favourite Cartoon character: My favourite cartoon has to be the Simpsons but I really love programmes and films about the mafia.
What you wanted to be when you were growing up: As a kid when I grew up I wanted to be a police officer. The funniest thing I do is probably the way I dance when I’m out with friends they seem to laugh at me.
What would you have done if you hadn’t been so good at running?: If I were not a runner I would have still be playing football (I used to be a Youth player at Barnsley, and my family all played
professional football).

My major other interest has to be ice hockey in which I have a season ticket for Sheffield Steelers. When not running you will find me at work or out with friends. As a person I can be quite full on but I will do anything for anybody.