2019-05-01_Runners_World_UK

026 RUNNERSWORLD.COM/UK MAY 2019

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Why did you choose to document

your running online? ‘It started as a

way for me to keep a track of what I

was doing. Then I realised that I love

shoes and that lots of people don’t

know much about them. So I started

by reviewing the Nike Pegasus 30,

and after a month it had received

6,500 views. So I thought, “Maybe

people want to see this.” I now try to

do a trainer review every Tuesday.’

Who is your audience? ‘It’s a real

mix. I get a lot of beginners who

want to find out more about shoes.

But I also get seasoned runners who

like to hear about the real technical

stuff: the materials used, how it

compares with the previous model

etc. Through CrossFit, I have a lot of

followers who lift weights but are

looking to get better at running.’

What does your day job involve?

‘I’ve been at Profeet for five years.

I’m the footwear buyer, but started

as the technician, which was all

about offering people biomechanical

analysis: foot mobility, pressure

distribution through the feet and

body-gait alignment – and letting

that inform their footwear choice.

What events do you have planned

this year? ‘I’ve got the Brighton 10K

in April. I also like the look of the

Amsterdam Half Marathon in

October. On the CrossFit front, I’m

doing the Rainhill Trials in July.’

Tell us the story behind your

three favourite Insta pics?

Instagram 1

‘I’m a level 4 strength and

conditioning coach and I love

CrossFit, which I do five times

a week. I want to help women

celebrate being strong. Women

shouldn’t be afraid of weights or

putting on some muscle.’

Instagram 2

‘I coach at Track Life, Battersea Park,

London, on a Monday night. It’s a

night of fun, speed and laughter.’

Instagram 3

‘This one was shot by Nyla Sammons

for the Tough Women in Sport

exhibition. I was honoured to be

part of a group of 10 women – from

record-breakers to adventurers. The

focus was showing photos of women

being fierce, bold and determined.’

INSTA RUNNER

EMMA

KIRK-

ODUNUBI

Shoe expert, runner and

big fan of CrossFit

NAME Emma Kirk-Odunubi

INSTA @emmakirkyo

AGE 26

HOMETOWN London

OCCUPATION Shoe buyer,

working at Profeet

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