Get to know…Lucy May-Richardson


Her photo she says “pretty much sums me up because I’m not paying attention, I’m in running clothes and I had just fallen over and cut my knee which are all very common for me!”.
For this week’s chosen club member we are joined by one of our junior members and when I say junior that is no reflection on her running abilities as she is very much senior when it comes to that. So we welcome Lucy May-Richardson to the Arena 80 club as a new joiner this year. What I have found out about her (thank you Katie Wright for the insight) is that she used to play netball at a high level. She’s very quick at running up hills! She’s currently at college and wants to eventually work in some kind of sports profession but isn’t entirely sure exactly what that is going to be yet. When you get talking to Lucy you will immediately find her to be a lovely girl who is very mature and beyond her 17 years and very easy to chat to. I’m been impressed by her social confidence and ability to easily become very much part of the team and conversations (especially as we are all so much older than her). Lucy has incredible determination when it comes to running and she has a goal in mind for 2018 which she is really pushing for so we will see if it comes off this year. Now you’ve heard the expression of ‘Pocket Rocket’ well Lucy very much fits in to that.  I have no doubt that she can do very well with her running having seen her performances already. Lucy will be an asset to Arena 80 and the women’s team and we welcome the new young blood to the club (admin says: is this all sounding like a school report?). Oh and she is also an avid B&HA fan which you will gather form her answers below. Over to you Lucy….
Name: Lucy Richardson
1.    When and why did you join Arena:
I joined in January this year, my auntie used to run for the club when she was younger and said I should join after I ran my first half marathon, I know she loved being a member and was quite fast back then so thought I’d see if training sessions could help me chip a bit off my parkrun time. 
2.    How long have you been running:
About a year ago, I’ve been playing netball since year 7 though so always been into fitness since starting then but before a year ago I had never ran further then 200m, I only started as another method to put off doing any college work. 
3.    Where did you grow up:
I was born and grew up here in Brighton. 
4.   When and where were you happiest
17th April 2017…  Brighton got promoted into the premier league.  
5.    What do you do for fun:
Go for a run, I love going up the downs but only really know one route so lately I’ve been exploring a bit to find some new good ones.  
6.    Name 3 things you couldn’t live without (excl family):
Umm definitely my bed and gym membership and then probably strawberry ice cream.  
7.    Is there anything that you are scared of:
Spiders and crazy small dogs that run at you for no reason.  
8.    What are your 3 favourite apps on your phone: 
Spotify, strava and probably notes because I’m always forgetting things so it can be lifesaver sometimes.  
9.    Who is your sporting hero:
Bobby Zamora.  
10. What kids TV programme do you remember growing up with: 
Tweenies and then Tracy Beaker when I was a bit bigger. 
11. Where’s your favourite hangout place:
Probably Hove Park in the summer. 
12. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you choose to be:
Kenya, I’ve always loved elephants and desperate to get out there to see them on safari. 
13. Is there anything you hope to achieve in the next 5 years:
I’d love to qualify for London marathon and then run a good time there. 
14. What type of music do you like most:
Dance music and anything that reminds me of summer.  
15. What’s something we don’t know about you:
Umm there are probably quite a lot of things.. But not many people know that I don’t like chocolate – weird child I know.  
16. What’s the last photo you took on your phone:
A picture of the whiteboard in my history lesson today which was showing the notes we were meant to copy, I was too lazy to write it all out.  
17. What is the last film you saw at the cinema: 
Probably finding dory ages ago. 
18. What was the first song you ever purchased:  
Really recently actually 17 by MK at Christmas time, I usually use Spotify but I needed to buy songs for my running iPod because I couldn’t get it to sync with Spotify.  
19. What’s the best thing about living in Brighton:  
Brighton and Hove Albion. 
20. What one thing are you most excited about in 2018:
Turning 18, same day as the Worthing 10k hoping the birthday luck will help me get a PB. 
Our biggest thanks to Lucy for her Q&A’s this week and we hope that you feel that you have now got to know Lucy a little better. Check back next Wednesday for another set of Q&A’s with our chosen club member.