Get to know…Sophie Cheeseman

Most people who know Sophie know her as cheesy because of her surname and nothing to do with bad jokes or bad foot odours. Sophie is another of the teaching brigade (which Arena do seem to attract) and teaches PE which I’m told she absolutely loves doing although she has only just started so we’ll ask her again in another year or so. Sophie is a keen sports lover and has done since she was very young. Her passion though is  tennis and running. She say’s “I used to be one of those kids that did all the sports and never became good at one but that’s ok, means more fun!”, which is a great way to look at it. Although relatively knew to the club, Sophie has thrown herself in to the club and has participated in many of the Arena races already. Definitely a keeper for the club. Now let’s open the box and see what’s inside. 
Name: Sophie (Soph / Soff / Cheesy) 
1. When and why did you join Arena:
I joined Arena in November and a few of my friends were members and I wanted to jump on the bandwagon and try to get good at running! 
2. How long have you been running:
I have been running since secondary school, I used to run most distances from sprint to long distance. I managed to get into a county race for the 200m then one day I just decided to do long distance events with the first marathon in LA in 2013. 
3. Where did you grow up:
I have grown up by the lovely coast in Brighton and I have only moved once and that was from Hove to Shoreham.
4. Who would you like to be for a day:
I would like to be Jessica Ennis for a day to see what it is like to take part in one of her training days / to be famous! 
5. Three people for dinner, who would you have (non family):
Roger Federer, Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis. 
6. Anything you are proud to have achieved:
I am proud to have achieved my PGCE last year, so that I can finally say I am a teacher and to also say I have completed 5 marathons so far 🙂
7. Best gig you’ve been to:
Radio 1 festival last year – Stormzy was the man! 
8. If your best friend described you what do you think they would say:
Funny, Kind and Sports Mad! 
9. If you were going to be stranded on a desert island with only one book, one film & one album what would you take:
Film – The holiday it’s the best Christmas film but I could watch it all year round 🙂 Book – I’ll be honest I don’t really read much so does Women’s Health Mag count or Runners World Book? Album – I would take ministry of sounds club hits so I could throw some shapes whilst in the desert. 
10. What would be the hardest thing for you to give up:
I think the hardest thing to give up would be my car as I love to drive everywhere! 
11. What is something you want to do in the next five years:
I would love to run New York / Boston Marathon and somehow qualify! Also to work towards becoming Head of PE within a secondary school. 
12. What do you think was the most important invention in the last 100 years:
I think the App Shazam is a cool invention I love it! As every time you hear a song on the tele or when your out and about it tells you what it’s called.
13. What is the last picture taken on your phone:
The last picture on my phone is me from todays Brighton Half Marathon with my shiny medal 🙂 
14. If you could be invisible for a day and could go anywhere, what would you do:
This is a tough one as there’s loads of places I would like to go! I would probably go and explore the inside of Wimbledon and or go to the Burj al Arab in Dubai and have a look inside.
15. Tell us something we don’t know about you:
I was 3 months premature when I was born and I weighed 1lb 12 ounces so a bag of sugar, I don’t look so small now haha.
16. Who is your sporting hero:
Jessica Ennis – I have always been amazed how she does all her training and fits everything in. Joanna Konta is one of my sporting idols too as she is a similar age to me and it is inspiring to see how she does in a number of tournaments! 
17. What would be your dream job:
My dream job would be to work for Nike or Adidas just testing out all their trainers (keeping them) and to travel the world whilst doing sports either playing or coaching it. 
18. What one thing can you not throw away:
I can’t seem to throw away old pictures of anything as when I have a sort out I look through them all and have a trip down memory lane so I will have millions of photos for life.
19. What is your one weakness:
One of my weaknesses is I say and don’t do. For instance; I say I am going to eat healthy for a week and I last about a day. Also I love the idea of being extremely good at something (running like Emily Proto you are inspirational!) but I can’t seem to motivate myself to run after or before work except for like once a week – because I know I am going to be on my feet all day.
20. If you were a boxer what would be your entrance theme song:
Club can’t handle me right now by Flo Rida – no idea why! It’s not one you would have in a boxing ring but its upbeat and dancey which I like.
Our biggest thanks to Sophie for her Q&A’s this week and we hope that you feel that you have now got to know Sophie a little better. Check back next Wednesday for another set of Q&A’s with our chosen club member.