Claire Clarke isn’t someone you’d have found at the front of the school cross-country pack. In fact, she describes her younger self as “a typical teenage girl” who dodged PE and “was never picked” for sports teams. But decades later, she’s become a seasoned runner who has completed multiple marathons, including London and Edinburgh, and kept up a 150-day running streak through the heart of the pandemic.
Claire lives in Harpenden, nestled in the hilly parts of Hertfordshire, and works as an HR consultant. With a long career as an HR Director in hospitality, she now juggles remote interim roles across global time zones. But her mornings? Those are just for her. She’s a self-confessed 5am runner, up before the rest of the house to grab her headspace, clear her mind, and set herself up for the day.
A Surprising Start
It all began with a Race for Life event back in 1999, just before Claire became a mum. “I fancied giving it a go,” she says. “And I actually quite liked it!” That initial 5K led to a few 10Ks, a Watford half marathon, and eventually her first London Marathon in 2007, running for the baby charity Tommy’s.
At the time, she was balancing work and two young children, so her training had to fit around early mornings and stolen weekend hours. It wasn’t a strict training programme, but it got her to the finish line. “I loved doing it. The training, the buzz, it all just stuck with me.”
The Power of a Streak
By 2020, like many of us, Claire found herself grounded by lockdowns. But rather than slow down, she committed to a personal challenge: run every day. What started as “Run Every Day in June” turned into a 150-day streak, with runs ranging from 5K to 10K. “I just needed that focus. We were only allowed out once a day, and I wanted to use that time for me.”
Her passion for movement hasn’t just been limited to running. At one point she took a break and threw herself into Zumba, up to four times a week. More recently, she’s taken up open-water swimming and completed the Great North Run, ticking off a bucket list goal.
This year, she returned to marathon running with the Edinburgh Marathon. The course, and the weather, tested her. With 40mph winds, hailstones, and a trip at mile 18, she pushed through and crossed the finish line, cheered on by family.
Discipline, Resilience, and Recovery
Claire’s not one for easing back in slowly. After taking time off to recover from injury post-Edinburgh, she jumped back in with a flat-out 4K. “I’m not the jog-walk type,” she laughs. “If I go out, I go out properly.”
Running, she explains, is as much mental as it is physical. It gives her clarity and peace, especially vital when working remotely and navigating the pressures of HR. “You get the rubbish end of a lot of stuff in HR. It’s constant. So, you’ve got to look after yourself.”
Her training routine is well-honed: early morning runs, strength work, a consistent focus on nutrition and recovery. “I’ve learnt that women need to refuel quickly. It’s not just about the run, it’s about recovery too.”
Why She Runs
For Claire, running is about freedom. “It’s accessible. You just need good trainers (at least when you start out and don’t get hit by the cool kit and brilliant running tech. It’s time just for you. And it teaches you consistency, something I take into every part of life.”
That discipline, that sense of showing up for yourself again and again, spills into her professional world. “As HR professionals, we’re always there for others. Running is how I show up for me.”
She might not have started out as a sporty teen, but today, Claire is a proud, medal-earning, 5am badass. And she’s not stopping anytime soon.