Nick O'Shea

About me

I’m Nick and a young 47. I am married to Liann and we have 3 children.

We are due to become Grandparents for the first time in December, which we are all really excited about. I have already planned my first hikes with the baby towards the end of next year and handpicked the carry pack.

We have 2 dogs who are my long suffering running shadows. Sadly, one is progressing in age now so whilst his head and heart still wants to go, his body doesn’t.

I am a Chartered Financial Planner and run a firm of Independent Financial Advisers in Canterbury where I have worked since leaving school. This is a family-owned business that I am exceptionally proud to be part of.

I have always enjoyed sport which was the only thing that got me through school. I found I was good at running, so focused on that. In fact, my mum always said I was trying to run before I had learnt to walk!

Listen to your body. It knows when you need to take a break.

Nick O’Shea

What’s in your kit bag?

The trainer I use very much depends on where and how far I am running. Distance = Asics, Shorter i.e. 10k’s = Brooks, Trails = Solomon. You can never have too many trainers right!

I am not a great fan of gels etc. but accept that it is a great way to fuel the body on longer runs and therefore to a degree essential. In this case, I use SIS, but am not that fussy.

I run with a Fenix 5 and am a little addicted to watching it. I long for the days where we just went out and ran just for the sake of it. This may well end up back in my bag soon.

If this question were worded “What would you like in your kit bag”, then my answer would be somewhat different. It would simply say “Jim Ransom”. A strange answer, I agree, but with good reason. Let me explain:-

Jim Knows everyone. Running around the streets of Faversham with Jim is like running through downtown Philadelphia with a young Rocky Balboa, followed by a sea of enthusiastic supporters reaching a conclusion at the step of the Library. A truly uplifting experience, better than any gel.

Bet you have the theme tune in your head now!

What’s been your greatest achievement so far?

This is an easy one, but firstly I must clarify that I believe that my greatest achievements are still to come. I train hard, work hard and like to win. Just me. My moto is “Primum Semper” Latin for always first.

My greatest achievement so far, was the Faversham 10k in 2017 or 2018. Not quite sure which, but it was my first as a member of FRC. Wasn’t my best or quickest but doesn’t matter, neither does the year, all that matters is that I beat Nick Clarke! A triumph in anyone’s book!!

My top tip

Buy good trainers and change them regularly. Running is not an expensive sport in comparison to others and a decent pair of trainers that work for you will help avoid injury. Listen to your body. It knows when you need to take a break. I have reoccurring ITB and Achilles problems. I have tried many different methods of treatment and equipment but the only thing that prevents it is Yoga. The benefits of this are massively under estimated. One more, don’t run commando!

What would you say now to the pre-Faversham Running Club you?

Go on, give it a go, you don’t have many friends and who knows, you might find someone that will talk to you!

Joking aside, I have always thought that I enjoyed running and training on my own because it provided me with valuable headspace and time to think. I thought that this was ok and actually I didn’t really need others. This is true to some extent, but the one thing that I have learnt during this Covid period is the main reason why I enjoy running alone is because I know that I will be able to run with friends at regular intervals.

My photo is one for me that really shows that sometimes running is not always about the good times and that the elements can be against us. These however are the most rewarding and should be cherished. Run strong FRC.