Ellie Greenwood was born in Dundee, Scotland. Greenwood was eight when her family moved to the flat farmland of Norfolk, England. After graduating from university in 2001, Greenwood decided to work in Canada for a UK ski package vacation operator and has remained in Canada since. “I love the big outdoors and the more relaxed lifestyle here,” she says. After moving to Canada, Greenwood participated in a running clinic and took to the sport immediately.
Greenwood represents the UK at the 100K world championships after winning her first attempt at the distance in May at the Elk-Beaver 100K on Vancouver Island, then her longest race to date. After training solo all winter, she set a course record of 7:36 to make the British team. Presently she is online Ultra running Coach for Sharman Ultra.
With first place finishes at Chuckanut 50K, American River 50 Mile Endurance Run, White River 50 Mile Endurance Run, Ultra Race of Champions 100K and JFK 50 Mile among others, as well as a record-setting first-place finish at Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, Ellie Greenwood was on fire in 2012. But 2013 hasn’t been as kind to the 34-year old Vancouver resident. Plagued by injuries, first a stress fracture in her fibula and now pain in her tibialis posterior, Greenwood has raced just twice in 2013, but with impressive
results. She won the inaugural Telluride Mountain Run Vertical Hill Climb and was first female at the Moray Marathon in Scotland.
Ellie Greenwood Racing Achievements
- Comrades Marathon (89km) 1st place, South Africa. (2014, 6:18:15, downhill course)
- Western States 100 mile Endurance Run Course Record, California, USA. (2012, 16:47:19)
- Comrades 89km 2nd place, South Africa. (2012, 6:08:24, downhill course)
- IAU World 100km Champion, Gibraltar (2010, 7:29:05)
- Marathon Personal Best, Vancouver, Canada (2012, 2:42:15)
- IAU World 100km Champion 2014 Qatar Doha
- 2011 & 2012, North American Female Ultra runner of the Year (awarded by Ultra running Magazine)
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Ellie Greenwood is winner of IAU 100km World Championships 2010 and 2014. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You were introduced to your sport of marathon running through Club Fat Ass in Vancouver, a low key group who are all about having fun on the trails. The list of your winning and competing at international level over various distances on various terrains is endless. You reached the pinnacle of success when you won International Association of Ultrarunners 100km World Championships 2010 at Gibraltar. What factors you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?
Ms. Ellie Greenwood:
I built up a very solid base of running just for fitness and fun before I made a slightly more conscious move to see if I could perform at a higher level. I believe that some runners can try to step things up too quickly and miss out on having that solid foundation of just covering many miles over many years. When I did decide to try to qualify to compete for GB at the IAU World 100k in 2010 I did however realize that I would need to be more dedicated to my running, but because I had such a clearly set out goal this was easier as I was working towards a specific target within a set time frame.
I did put other social activities to aside slightly while I focused on my training outside of work hours as I was running more miles which clearly took up more time. I also joined a more competitive running group who I would train with weekly when I could, and certainly being surrounded by excellent runners who are also chasing big goals inspires me to push myself harder.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
One question which comes in everyone’s mind when they see you running for miles at a stretch is, How you are able to ‘beat the monotony in thought’ in hours of running apart from physical endurance needed for reaching the success at the end?
Ms. Ellie Greenwood:
I honestly don’t find I have a problem with boredom when running for long hours, I truly enjoy running and can just zone out and enjoy putting one foot in front of another. if anyone does experience boredom though then running with friends is the best solution as company always makes the miles go fast more quickly. In addition, choosing more scenic routes, often found in trail running, can alleviate boredom as there is so much to see and look at along the way, as well as not always running the same route and instead mixing up where you run. Others enjoy listening to music and focusing in on that.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?
Ms. Ellie Greenwood:
If I could just run then I probably would but any runner who wants to stay strong and injury free so they can perform at their best should do some other activities. I go to the gym 2 – 3 times a week for some strength work and also to do some focused stretching to remain strong and somewhat flexible. In addition, in the summer months, I enjoy cycling and will cycle commute short distances year round. In the winter I try to get out cross country skiing a little.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Ellie Greenwood:
I am a strict lacto-ovo vegetarian for ethical and environmental reasons, and feel this is more than compatible with running at a high level. Other than that, I try to avoid too many packaged and processed foods and instead stick to lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts, along with some dairy. A balanced diet is important but however good your diet you also need to put in the hard work in training!
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding ultra marathon girls who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in field of ultra marathon ?
Ms. Ellie Greenwood:
Dedication and determination are two of the most important things. I believe that practically anyone can run an ultra marathon but they have to really want to achieve that goal and thus be prepared to dedicate themselves to the training. Also be prepared to be patient and build up your running over months and years, always assessing along the way that you are enjoying the process as there is no point in doing it if you aren’t enjoying it.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask for advice – the ultra community is filled with many amazing and experienced runners who are more than happy to share their expertise and you’ll learn far more from them than reading books. Also surround yourself with talented runners which will inspire you to chase your dreams.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How did you feel before and after your memorable Gold win at International Association of Ultra runners 100km World Championships 2014 at Doha, Qatar ?
Ms. Ellie Greenwood:
Before the IAU World 100k in Qatar I knew that I was in good shape although I did lack some higher end speed due to some missed workouts with a few niggling injuries. I thought that I could do well if all went to plan on race day but I was very appreciative of a good number of other talented and fast ladies who would also be competing. I was very excited to race in a new destination and culture, and I was inspired by being on such a strong British team. I was very unsure whether heat and humidity would be a factor at the race in Qatar but prepared myself as best as possible for this.
After the race I was delighted to have won, not just for the win in itself but also because Team GB won the ladies team event also. I was very happy that the race went well and that I felt mentally and physically strong throughout pretty much the whole race, which is never a given in ultra running. It was a really great way to end my 2014 racing year on such a high note, which leaves me excited to chase more goals in 2015.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
The year 2013 hasn’t been kind to you. As you was plagued by injuries, first a stress fracture in your fibula and then pain in your tibialis posterior. You raced just twice in 2013, but with impressive results. You won the inaugural Telluride Mountain Run Vertical Hill Climb and was first female at the Moray Marathon in Scotland. How you were able to overcome such a physical injury/setback and what advice you can give to fellow sports person in a similar situation?
Ms. Ellie Greenwood:
With ultra running being such a high stress sport on the body I think that some small injuries are almost par for the course. At the time it was very frustrating to be sidelined in 2013 and miss out on so many races that I had planned to do, and also just to not be able to run daily which is something I always really value and enjoy. But I soon turned my attention 100% to doing all that I could to aid my recovery, to stay fit through cross training and to use the situation as a learning experience.
The sooner one can accept that an injury has happened and that there is no going back, one needs to focus on what is under ones control and work on that rather than dwelling on the negative. I also took the opportunity to use the time that I would have normally used for training to spend more time socializing with friends and even bought a road bike to try a new sport, basically I tried to focus on the positives and held onto the fact that I was not going to be injured forever.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about your endeavor of being an Online Running Coach at Sharman Ultra?
Ms. Ellie Greenwood:
I started working as an online running coach for Sharman Ultra in June of this year. It is my full time job and something that I am very fortunate to be able to do as I love helping runners achieve their goals. With Sharman Ultra we offer very personalized training plans to ensure that they fit each clients running experience and goals, as well as their lifestyle – no one plan will work for everyone. I maintain close contact with my clients through their training plans, regular emails and Skype calls.
I really enjoy being able to share my expertise and knowledge from more than 12 years of running marathons and ultras (I have raced more than 50 marathons and ultras) with others. It is super to see my clients achieve their goals, be they first time back of the pack runners, those returning from injury or experienced runners wanting to take things to the next level.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influencer and motivator in your success in the field of your career as ultra marathon runner?
Ms. Ellie Greenwood:
There is no one person who has inspired me in the world of ultra running as there are so many amazing individuals. Certainly when I was new to ultra and trail running the big names were (and still are) Krissy Moehl, Nikki Kimball and Kami Semick – it was very inspiring to see 3 women achieve so much in a sport that still has more male than female participants. I have always also looked up to Lizzy Hawker, she is one woman who truly is in the sport of ultras for the pure love of it – for her it is not about publicity or money or anything other than the fact that she truly lives and breathes a passion for running and the mountain, plus she is as tough as nails!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Ellie Greenwood:
Thank you everyone for reading this interview! I hope that it has opened your eyes to the fact that there are no limits in what we as women can achieve mentally and physically through running. Ultrarunners come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. It can be a demanding sport but worth the effort and if you give an ultra marathon a try the rewards that you will achieve in terms of self confidence and self belief are more than worth the efforts!
To know more about Ellie Greenwood, check her out at: http://elliegreenwood.blogspot.in/
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Women Fitness Team thanks Ellie Greenwood for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and made this interview happen.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Finess and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.