Che Odlum shares how her running journey has led her to achieve her first ultra-marathon this year.
Clyde & Co’s Head of Financial Crime reflects on how running helps other areas of her life and the obstacles she’s overcome to make it part of her toolkit to make her sharper and happier as a result.
Describe your running journey
Running was never something that I saw myself doing because when I looked at running brands and the running community, I did not see myself reflected in magazines, races and running clubs. I tried couch to 5k with my local running club and with their support, ran my first 5k, then started going to Parkrun and moved quickly on to my first 10k and my local half marathon. After completing my first marathon in 2018, I stopped running through injury and then I lost my running mojo and fitness.
Fast forward to 2020-2021 during the Covid pandemic, I worked long hours at home, with barely any exercise or even going outdoors. It impacted my physical and mental wellbeing and I knew the only way back to a better me, would be through running. When I started my running journey, every race was about getting a Personal Best, every training run was fixated on improving my pace. This time round, my running journey is about running happy, being grateful about what my body can do, and finding joy in being part of some very special running communities.
What do you get from running?
Running made me into the best version of myself. I say that because I am sharper, happier and have more clarity in my thinking and decision-making with running as part of my toolkit. My favourite time of day to run is in the quiet stillness of the early morning, where I plan my working day, think through difficult issues and prepare my body and mind for the rest of the day.
When I am training for a race, I am at my most organised and manage to achieve my best work/life balance. I tend to be more mindful about eating, hydrating and resting which are good for me anyway but are followed more consistently when I am training.
What is your favourite run?
My favourite run is an early Sunday long run, at an easy pace, along the river and ending at my favourite coffee van.
What has been your greatest running experience to date?
In June, I ran my first ultra-marathon distance (50k), Race to the King. Before doing that race, I thought my favourite races were the Abbot World Major Marathons that I’ve run in London, Chicago and Boston, with all the hype, the large field of participants and huge crowds cheering on the route.
By contrast, I unexpectedly fell in love with trail running and ultra-running when soaking up the beauty and serenity of the South Downs National Park and the solitude of having very few runners around at any one time. I loved it so much that I am aiming for a 100k race next year.
The Head of Financial Crime at Clyde & Co, Che is passionate about helping underrepresented groups. As well as working as a mentor for 10,000 Black Interns, Che is also an integral part of Clyde & Co’s LIFT initiative, which focuses on advancing social mobility and increasing diversity in the profession.
A massive thank you to Che for stewarding at our inaugural Legal 5k run, a friendly and inclusive race for the legal sector which took place in April 2024. Congratulations to her teammates at Clyde & Co, who placed third in the team competition.
The next race will be taking place in April 2025 – register your interest.