Meet marathoner Natasha Cockram who will share her journey throughout 2019 on Fast Running.

Natasha Cockram had a breakthrough performance at the 2018 Dublin Marathon running a big personal best 2:35:49 to finish fourth.

Over the next 12 months, the Welsh runner hopes to achieve the qualifying time for the World Championships in Doha, and also improve her bests on the road over 5km, 10km and the half marathon.

Profile

Name: Natasha Cockram
Age (Jan 2019): 26
Hometown: Cwmbran
Club: Micky Morris Racing Team MMRT
Main discipline: Marathon
Other disciplines: Half marathon and 10km
Full-time athlete/work/studying: Full-time work

Goals or targets for 2019

1) Run the World Championships A standard for the marathon
2) Significantly improve my PBs for 5km, 10km and half marathon
3) Stay injury free
4) Enjoy the process

Running highlights

1) 2018 Dublin Marathon – 2:35:49 and fourth place
2) 2018 Newport Marathon winner
3) Running in the Crystal Palace Diamond league as an under-17

Personal bests

1) Marathon: 2:35:49
2) 10km: 35:11

Interesting or fun facts

Outside of work and running, I spend my time walking my dog or riding my horse. I don’t enjoy sitting down or watching TV so I’m always on the go.

My friends say I live life at 100 miles an hour. From the moment I wake up I won’t sit down again until I go to bed, other than if I’m forced to sit at my desk in work.

I run because…

It gives me a sense of freedom and exploration. Running has also brought me endless opportunities including spending five years studying in America, travelling to new places and making life long friends.

I’m also an extremely competitive person so it helps fuel that side of my personality.

Favourite training session

I always enjoy my Tuesday interval sessions. For example, a couple of miles warm up, then 6 x 1 mile- fast, followed by a couple of miles cool down.

I also love Sunday long runs.

Least favourite training session

Probably 10 mile tempos, although I am slowly growing to like them!

Favourite pre-race food

Always pasta the night before, and then on race day banana and peanut butter.

Favourite post-race food

Usually yoghurt, and after a marathon it’s turned into a tradition to reward myself with pizza. My dad also makes a good curry which always goes down well too.

Favourite runner or runners

Kelly Holmes. I admire how she overcame endless setbacks both physical and mental to come back and win the Olympic double gold at the age of 32.

Brands or organisations that support me

Welsh Athletics and London Marathon/British Athletics.

RELATED: Natasha Cockram has big marathon goals

Natasha Cockram features in the ‘Fast 10: class of 2019’ and over the course of the year will share her running journey. You can follow Natasha on Twitter and Instagram, while further information about the ‘class of 2019’ can be found here.

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