Runbritain Grand Prix leader recovering from foot surgery
Sam Amend has a handicap score of 1.5, is the at the top of the runbritain Grand Prix leaderboard, ran the 2013 Virgin London Marathon in 2:43:48, is a Run England Leader, athletics coach, race director for two races, mum of two and works full time (but has been stopped in her tracks for a wee while after surgery to repair a torn peroneal brevis tendon in her left foot).
The third race in the Grand Prix series takes place on Monday at the Bupa London 10k and Sam will be missing from the line up but is still looking on the bright side and has confirmed that she will be training for the remaining three races in the series once she has recovered from her operation. The best four races from the series of six count and Sam has her eye on the competition and told us:
"I am up against great competition for this title but mainly choose the races because I like the courses and when running well the chance to get a personal or season's best time."
Sam clearly loves her running but is just as enthusiastic and passionate about others running experiences. She qualified as a Run England leader three years ago and set about revolutionising her local runing scene. She set up two running groups and then, last August, took on another challenge and established the Wycombe Rye parkrun. "When initially doing the groups it re-established my life after my husband's death and the need to help others appreciate what I love most." Sam told us that she receives great satisfaction in building up the enthusiasum of others and identifying runners who can then take on the groups through providing them with the resources and skills she has developed as a runner and leader. Earlier this year she handed over her reins to the local activator to concentrate on her London Marathon campaign and to get ready for the surgery that she knew had to be tackled.
We need not be worried about how she may fill her time now though, since taking the Leadership in Running Fitness (LiRF) qualification Sam has added more strings to her bow and become qualified as an assistant coach in athletics. She coaches children in cross-country running and athletics and puts this down to the initial LiRF training that she received.
Sam - we wish you all the best with your recovery. We know this enforced lay-off is driving you crazy but six weeks is nothing in the grand scheme of things!