Get to know…Aled Anderson
Mid-week already but it also brings us the next installation in the get to know series. So who’s head is on the line today, well he’s been a member for about three years but in his own words he admittedly has been tracking under the radar for most of it and has only just recently had the time to get involved with his running and Arena a bit more. He’s the quiet Welsh guy that tends to work harder in training than he does in races, again his words not mine. However on his recent running outings he has hit some fine form and has now even made his way in to the men’s club records for the Peacehaven parkrun as well as the age grading records for good measure. A quiet lad yes but very well respected by all. Now let’s meet the man from Wales Aled Anderson.
1. When and why did you join Arena:
2015, I’d just recently moved to Brighton and wanted to join a club similar to the one I’d left back home. A friendly, fun but competitive club. Definitely made the right choice with Arena.
2. How long have you been running:
Can’t remember not running really, I remember following my old man on his training runs when I was 11, haven’t stopped since then.
3. Where did you grow up:
Swansea, South Wales. Like Brighton but with far more rain and less alternative.
4. If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go:
China, up and coming country, seems to be a lot happening there so could be interesting. The great wall of china marathon looks insane too!
5. Apart from running what else do you do with your time:
Sadly, with trying to fit studying around work, running tends to be my only escape at the moment. But once my exams are over I hope to get back into swimming maybe start triathlons, maybe travel more
6. What would you say to your younger self:
Stop worrying, it’ll be fine, you’ll enjoy it.
7. If you could go back to an age in your life what age would it be and why:
Probably University days, moving away from home for the first time. The harsh reality of real life still a few years away. What could be better?
8. What’s your favourite website:
Easy one, the club website of course! Elsewhere, the runners world website is a huge archive of advice and really useful. Also recently discovered the Sussex races site, really useful for finding new races, everything’s all in one place.
9. Who is your sporting hero:
Growing up it was Lance Armstrong but that didn’t end well did it! Looking back it has to be Shane Williams, rugby is like a religion in Wales. Also Gareth Bale, Sir Mo, Chris Froome (please be clean!) and Aaron Rogers (American Football) are up there too.
10. What is your favourite album ever:
Sorry I’m very mainstream. Coldplay: A Rush of Blood to the Head was the first album I bought and still thinks it’s pretty good.
11. Have you ever met anyone famous or remotely famous:
No not really. The closest I’ve been is when I sat opposite Michael Sheen on a train from South Wales to London once but was too scared to say anything for 3 hours.
12. What makes you happy:
Nothing beats the feeling when Wales win a Six Nations Grand Slam. The whole country goes nuts.
13. If you could do one thing again what would It be:
Same as 7 really, I’d go back to Uni again and just enjoy it more.
14. What’s something you miss the most from your childhood:
Getting excited over little things, everything was new and exciting back then.
15. What’s something we don’t know about you:
Hmm, I’m pretty boring really. Although, quite embarrassing really, but I’ve got really stretchy face which people found hilarious at school but not something I’ve liked to shout about since then.
16. What’s the one thing you can’t live without:
Sport. I’ve got to be doing something otherwise I’d go mad.
17. What is the hardest thing you ever had to do:
I’m lucky enough that I’ve been privileged enough not have faced any true hardship in my life. But getting up early for work after a few too many drinks at a works Xmas do is pretty tough!
18. What makes you laugh:
Anything that’s silly or surreal. I’m quite old school really, I love Monty Python.
19. What were you like at school:
Quiet and shy I think, a bit geeky too. But I got on with everybody.
20. What one thing can you not bring yourself to throw away:
Nothing really, I’m pretty laid back when it comes to things, if I don’t need it what’s the point having it.
Our biggest thanks to Andy for his Q&A’s this week and we hope that you feel that you have now got to know Aled a little better. Check back next Wednesday for another set of Q&A’s with our chosen club member.