Fresh off her win at the Alsager 5 mile road race at the weekend, Lauren (also known as Laury, Howy, Laulau) was the next in line for a bit of interrogation by the Team NBMCR Q & A!

Not only is Lauren an accomplished athlete with an impressive list of GB representations, she is also a qualified Doctor and for the past few years has worked hard to combine running with working as a Junior Doctor in Wigan. While the rest of us turn up to training in the morning having had a solid 9 hours sleep, Lauren has occasionally had to work a late shift the night before, not getting in until 2am or later, but she doesn’t let it stop her from having a great session!
Lauren’s first GB vest came at the World Junior Championships in Poland, 2008 (3000m). Since then she has been to six European Cross Country Championships (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015), two World Cross Country Championships (2009, 2013), the European Indoor Championships (2013) and has a Bronze Medal from her 3rd place finish at the 2008 European Cross Country Championships (U20). Quite an impressive record, and there is definitely more to come!
Having had a bit of time off with injury at the end of 2016, Lauren has been racing herself back to full fitness. The Alsager 5 marked her third weekend in a row of racing, which started at Elgiobar Cross Country in Spain, followed by an 9:15 indoor 3000m in Manchester, and she’ll be finishing off her month of racing with a 10km road race in Schoorl, Netherlands this Sunday where she will be joined by teammates Ross, Jonny and Jamie.


Q & A with Lauren
Favourite pair of running shoes:
Favourite place to run:
My favourite place to race has to be the track. There’s no hiding there.
Who inspired you to start running?
Crossford Bridge Easter Monday Cross-Country Relays (hosted by Sale Harriers). There were four u11 girls for Leigh Harriers, unfortunately I was the slowest. I didn’t make the team so had to run the third and final leg of the u13 ‘C’ team.
What do you love most about running?
Childhood hero:
Jenny Meadows. Not only is Jenny a fellow ‘Wiganer’ but we went to the same High School. I have always looked up to her and she has achieved so much in our sport. I just wish I was as speedy!
I’ve been very lucky to have several influential people in my running career, Bud Baldaro, Pete Riley and now Steve. However, my dad has always been there throughout. He always knows what to say and has a talent for being in the perfect place on a course to cheer me on with words of encouragement.
Favourite race venue:
Favourite weather to train in:
Career highlight:
Interests away from running:
I have also made stressing about nothing an art form.
Favourite film:
Favourite food:
Peanut butter or any meal my boyfriend Andrew cooks for me.
Favourite holiday destination:
Goals for 2017:
Favourite quote:
Weekend Racing
It’s a busy weekend on the racing front with Lauren, Ross, Jonny and Jamie heading to The Netherlands for Schoorl 10km. Meanwhile, back in the UK, Eli and Andy are in action over 3000m at the British Indoor Championships in Sheffield on Saturday and Sunday. Good luck guys!
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