Ahead of the race: Q&A with Royal Navy Officer Joe

Joe Pope, a current serving Chief Petty Officer, is set to take on the largest half marathon in the world, the Great North Run on 08 September in aid of Walking With The Wounded.

We recently caught up with Joe to speak with him about the upcoming event, his support of WWTW, and what his training regime has consisted of.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what inspired you to take part in the Great North Run this year?

I am 31 and currently living in Plymouth, I’ve been based in the South West for the past 12 years after joining The Royal Navy at the age of 18. Currently serving as a Chief Petty Officer, I have always had a desire to complete a half marathon and after growing up in Northumberland I wanted to complete my first one in the North East. I am pleased this year to be running for WWTW, a charity that I have a strong affiliation with due to being a serving member of the Armed Forces.

Have you participated in the Great North Run before, or is this your first time? What made you decide to do it again, or what motivated you to take the plunge this year?

This will be my first time participating in the Great North Run and any form of running event in fact. I enjoy running and for many years now it’s been an ambition of mine to complete the Great North Run, consecutive deployments made this unachievable, however this year I will be available and jumped at the chance to secure a spot. I am pleased to be returning to the North East and to run for a charity that has strong links to the Armed Forces community.

Why did you choose to run in support of WWTW?

As a serving member of The Royal Navy, I wanted to run in support of WWTW as I value them as a veteran’s charity and understand the vital work they do to support ex-serving members of the Armed Forces and their families. It is a charity that may well assist me in the future when the time comes for me to leave the service. My sister Danielle, a veteran herself, has fundraised on numerous occasions for WWTW, and it’s a charity that we both hold close to our hearts.

How have you been preparing for the Great North Run? What has your training regime looked like?

In preparation for the run, I have gradually increased my training over the past few months. While I’m accustomed to running regularly, I wanted to focus on building my fitness and stamina. Recently I have completed runs around Plymouth and have achieved distances of 10 miles and greater which has instilled confidence in my own ability prior to the event. I also managed to train whilst on holiday in Dubai, which was a challenge in itself, just getting myself to take those first steps on the treadmill took some self-discipline!

What challenges have you faced during your preparation, and how have you overcome them?

The biggest challenge I have faced whilst training for the run has been my ability to balance my work and life schedule, it has been an intense few months at my current unit and it can often be hard to find the motivation to get the trainers on and go for a run. The support received from my fiancé, family and friends has been invaluable, and the biggest driving factor to overcoming adversity whilst training is to remember why I am running for WWTW and the difference my fundraising can make to the veteran community and their families.

What are you most looking forward to on race day?

I am looking forward to returning to the North East. A poignant moment in the event will be crossing the Tyne Bridge and I am very much looking forward to that, but most of all I’m looking forward to sharing the day with a community of thousands who are all fundraising and running for a cause they believe in.

How do you plan to keep yourself motivated throughout the race, especially during the more challenging stretches?

During the race I believe that the energy and camaraderie among the participants will help us all to get to the finish line. I’m fortunate to have a few friends running too which is a huge morale boost and I’m looking forward to sharing the day with them. I’ll keep the cause at the forefront of my mind, and with a good playlist and the support of thousands of cheering Geordies, I’m confident I’ll stay motivated throughout the race.

What’s next for you after completing the Great North Run? Any other challenges on the horizon?

I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of training for the Great North Run, and my support for WWTW won’t end here. Whilst I’m not sure what my next challenge will be, I’m committed to becoming more involved with the veteran’s community in the future.