Get to know…Jess (Jessica) Coleman


This week we are joined by one of our, well I want to say newer members but having been a part of the team for a year she is positively old skool now, anyway we welcome Jessica or Jess as she’s better know. Jess has returned home to Brighton, after a sojourn in London working in the world of film and television. Her latest job isn’t quite as glamorous (distribution) but it does leave more time to enjoy seaside living and running. She’s not one to call herself a natural runner, but after 7 years maybe it’s time she accepted that she is one! (Just looked up the definition of a runner: A runner is a person who runs, especially for sport or pleasure). Jess has been quietly working hard at track sessions on Monday’s and is now starting to see the rewards. She quite recently got a new PB at the Hove Prom when Arena turned out in force, so she is going in the right direction. Always with a smile on her face and a lovely friendly girl to know. Now enough sweet talk, let’s find out more about her…
Name: Jess (Jessica) Coleman 
1. When and why did you join Arena:
I’ve just looked it up and I have been a member of Arena for a year now – the time has flown! It was my aunt (Tam Coleman) (admin says: who also does wonderful flapjacks from her Oatopia van) who encouraged me to join – I was looking for a club to join and she told me it had to be Arena, no other club in the area was as friendly or encouraging.
2. How long have you been running:
I first started running in 2011. I had entered the London Marathon Ballot and applied for a charity place with MNDA. I didn’t get a place and was resigned to waiting another year to try again. Then at the end of January MNDA rang and asked if I would take one of their charity places, as one of their runners had to drop out. At that point I couldn’t even run for the bus and had to put myself on a pretty intensive 16 week training plan to get myself up to marathon distance. It was bloody painful and I swore I would never run again after that but I was well and truly bitten by the running bug!
3. Where did you grow up:
I’m a Sussex gal, born and bred. I grew up in South Chailey.
4. What do the last five words of the last text sent to you say:
“evening? What is your schedule?” – Not very exciting, but my friend and I are trying to sort out accommodation for our New York trip in November where I will be running the marathon.
5. What types of holidays do you prefer:
I love a holiday with a mix of outdoor activity, culture and a bit of relaxing. And I love the sun, so anywhere hot!
6. How long does it take you to get ready to go out:
Hmmm, depends who I am seeing and where I am going – it can take anywhere from 5 minutes to half an hour depending on mood!
7. What would your epitaph say:
I found this too tricky to answer myself, so I asked a very good friend of mine who is much better with words than I am. He suggested “She ran out” (!)
8. What’s your favourite kind of drink:
It’s a toss-up between coffee and gin – can I have coffee during the week and a G&T for the weekend?? Or coffee with gin? Maybe it’s time to get experimenting with my cocktail making skills.
9. What makes you bored:
Being forced to watch or talk about golf – my family is all obsessed and I just do not understand the appeal at all.
10. What would be the hardest thing for you to give up:
Coffee. You will have to pry it from my hands and I’m not afraid to fight you to keep it!
11. What were you like a school:
A real swot and a bit of a goody two-shoes. I’m hoping I am not a goody two-shoes any more, but I am definitely still a swot.
12. What is your one weakness:
I am horribly impatient. Are we done yet??
13. Who was you first celebrity crush pop star and film star:
First film star crush was probably Leonardo di Caprio when I saw Titanic, I was heartbroken at the end! I can’t remember my first popstar crush – I think I just agreed with my friends when they talked about their favourite 90s boyband members.
14. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 72, and find line 9, what does it say:
“precarious Italy, the great difficulties of the left, old parties and factions” from “The Story of the Lost Child” by Elena Ferrante. It’s the last book in a series of four and I have loved these novels so much that I am really trying to slow myself down so I don’t finish too quickly.
15. Tell us something we don’t know about you:
I was once an extra on Eastenders – it was freezing cold, with loads of waiting around, but totally worth it for the food from the catering truck.
16. Who is your sporting hero:
Jess Ennis-Hill – what a champ.
17. What one thing do you like to do the most:
Apart from running? Definitely sleeping.
18. Apart from running what else do you like to do in your free time:
I love the theatre so searching out new and interesting plays to go and see – it’s brilliant having Brighton Fringe and Festival and I’m already checking out the programme and trying not to spend all my money on tickets. I also love reading – I inhale books and am constantly on the hunt for good recommendations.
19. Last gig you went to:
It’s been ages since I went to a music gig – I think the last one was Fleetwood Mac at the O2, which was absolutely epic. Glad I got to see them before Lindsay Buckingham got fired/left!
20. Have you ever baked a cake, who for and was it a success:
Yes, I like to bake quite regularly and I made the top tier of the cake for my brother’s wedding in January. I was terrified that I was going to mess it up, so I practised baking carrot cakes for months. Luckily, I had lots of willing volunteers to taste test for me and the final product seems to have turned out ok as there weren’t many leftovers at the end of the night.
Our biggest thanks to Jess for her Q&A’s this week and we hope that you feel that you have now got to know Jess a little better. Check back next Wednesday for another set of Q&A’s with our chosen club member.