Written by: Nancy Britten
Hello Haries and a very happy Saturday to you all! It’s the second instalment of Harie of the Week and this time the spotlight’s on the lovely Heidi! Heidi has a strong start to the semester in her role as Wellness and Inclusion Officer, already pulling together some fantastic Friday sunset runs. We met at Kilimanjaro for a catch-up that started, naturally, with some running shoe chat (Heidi explained that she had spent her morning doing the far more important job of running-shoe shopping instead of studying). From there we segueed into dissecting the Celebrity Traitors line-up and decided that if we were ever famous, Traitors would definitely be our reality TV show of choice. Once we’d finished all of these pressing discussions, we got down to the official interview. Enjoy!
- Name?
Heidi Robertshaw - Degree?
Psychology, 3rd year. I love and hate it. I hate the statistics and RStudio (If, like me, you have no idea what Studio is, it is in fact to do with coding). It’s horrible, it’s evil, but we push through. My actual psychology modules though, I’m loving. - What made you choose it?
I’ve always been fascinated by how the mind works and how people think. I used to listen to a lot of true-crime podcasts and was set on forensic psychology for a while, though I’ve moved on from that now. - Can you read my mind?
The question everyone asks, so I’ll confirm in advance: no, I can’t. You’re welcome. - Coffee order?
Iced mocha when I’m rinsing the club bank account. Coffee + Chocolate is an unbeatable combination. (I should add that it was uncharacteristically sunny on the day of our interview, and I also felt an iced coffee was the only option on such a day). If I’m paying myself: a classic flat white. - Favourite Coffee Spot?
This one! My dad and I came here on the Edinburgh open day. We’d stayed in a hotel the night before, then had a full Scottish breakfast here before visiting the uni. Partly sentimental, partly because the full Scottish is genuinely amazing. (This was the most wholesome reason for a favourite coffee spot ever. On the downside though, we discussed the lack of charging ports in this establishment. So Kilimanjaro, if you’re reading this: the people need more charging ports.) - Where are you from?
Sheffield. And for the record… it’s Yorkshire, not the Midlands. Don’t even try to argue otherwise. (For context: I made the mistake of incorrectly labelling this as the Midlands, thinking I had found some common ground. Heidi told me this was blasphemous. Many, many apologies for this ) - How did you get into running?
My dad’s a runner and had me doing cross country for as long as I can remember (there are some VERY cute photos to prove it). He ran a lot at uni and still does, and we sometimes go for runs together in the Peaks and the Moors when I’m home. - How was your summer?
Chamonix was incredible. I’d go back in a heartbeat and hope we do this year. I ran more mileage in a single week there than ever before. Then a bit of travelling with Saskia and her school friend Hannah: the Balkans and Greece. Plus some chilled time at home, pub nights and, of course pub quizzes. - “Pub quizzes?!” I excitedly exclaimed, “Tell me about the pub quizzes!!”
We are terrible. We’ve never won, though the girls’ team always beats the guys. - Best pub-quiz fun fact/ question?
What food was banned from conclaves and why? Whole chickens because people were smuggling in bribes. (Fantastic. I’ll be dropping this fact into every conversation I have for the foreseeable future.) - Freshers’ Week recap? How did it go?
So good! I only went out three times and it still wiped me out- I’m still recovering. Haries freshers events were brilliant with an insane turnout for the well-being run. Huge thanks to Heggie and Caitlin for helping me lead such a big group. - Why did you choose to come to Edinburgh?
Psychology degrees are similar everywhere, but when I visited Edinburgh I instantly knew it was the one. I love how it feels small and big at the same time: a massive city with a tiny, friendly feel. The running and scenery sealed it. So easy to escape into the Pentlands, a bit like the Peak District back home. - Do you have any goals for the year?
Running: Edinburgh Half in May is the big one. I’ve only done a couple of road races, so I want more of those while keeping up with cross country.
Non-running related: Save some money, figure out what’s next after uni… and not fail my degree. (I fully concur with these) - How was the first wellbeing run of the year?
Blackford Hill last week was unreal. Great turnout and the most ridiculous sunset by pure luck. Tomorrow (the interview was on a Thursday, so Heidi is referring to the Friday wellbeing run here) we’re heading for Calton Hill. The plan is to target all the hills of Edinburgh. And maybe a Portobello swim-run on the cards! - If you didn’t run, what sport would you do?
Rugby. I only ever played a bit in school PE but loved it. I’d like to try a proper team sport. Also inspired by the men’s team winning varsity this week, it was a great watch. - If you didn’t study psychology what would you study?
Is neuroscience too close? (Yes. Pick again). I’d go for biology, my other top choice when applying. - If you could only race one distance forever?
5 km. Because any shorter and I think it’s too fast. Any longer and I feel like I’m dying. Longer cross countries are the bane of my experience. - Highlight of last season?
Isle of Man. (I was then treated to a very entertaining recount of the trip, so in case you weren’t there, here’s what you need to know…) I slept through ten alarms and missed the bus despite Saskia banging on my door at 4 a.m. After some frantic Googling I realised the trains couldn’t get me there in time. My dad came to the rescue helping to organise a flight (legend!) So despite missing the 10km race, I arrived in time for the first evening, and raced the hill run in a bee onesie as a forfeit- hardest race of my life, absolutely roasting. We may have also “liberated” a keg from Manchester who hid it in the woods and poured pints before a swift escape. I’ll be back this year and I promise not to miss the bus. - Dream dinner party guests?
I’ve been thinking way too much about this since I saw the question in Martha’s interview. This response is very much swayed by me watching all of the athletics last week.
Femke Bol – happiest person alive; I need that energy.
Georgia Hunter Bell – so happy for her PB and would love a chat.
Sabrina Carpenter – guaranteed fun chaos. - How do you think the conversation would go?
I think Sabrina would be quite confused by her presence there. Femke Bol would just be so happy. I think we’d all just have a great natter and get along really well. Would ask for training tips from Georgia and Femke and free tickets from Sabrina. - A non-running related fun fact about you?
I’ve eaten goat brains (and kinda liked them). (speechless.) - Favourite …
Meal to cook? A very elaborate curry. When I say I’m making curry, it could either be simple curry or, the main event: a whole curry night. A full feast. This involves a curry, maybe even two curries, deffo a dahl, naan bread, bhajis. (I will be requiring an imminent invite to curry feast night please and thank you) - Harie? This is going to sound biased because she’s my flatmate, but I’m going with Maya. The sheer number of kit-related emails she’s sent in the last two weeks is heroic. I’ll forgive her for filling our flat with Harie’s kit.
- Place travelled? The Balkans: Dubrovnik, Kotor, Split, and Tirana. Amazing food, lovely people, quite cheap- Game of Thrones fans take note- lots of filming locations in Dubrovnik and Split. Saskia was very excited.
- Hill in Edinburgh? Arthur’s Seat. During exams last year, when revision was going horribly, I ran up it and instantly felt better- tourists aside.
- Running route? Hermitage trails and Blackford Hills. Anywhere off-road.
- Dream sponsor? Hoka! I need new shoes and theirs are gorgeous. Colourful shoes make me happy.
WOULD YOU RATHER…?
- Have every long run detour through the Royal Mile crowds or have to dodge cyclists on the Union Canal path every single session? Royal Mile tourist dodging.
- Race a mud-soaked Braids XC course in road flats or do a 10 km road race in full spikes? Muddy Braids XC.
- Do all your Sunday long runs as endless loops of the Hermitage or only on the Innocent Railway tunnel out-and-back? Hermitage.
- Run the full Seven Hills race every month or never be allowed on Blackford Hill again? Never be allowed on Blackford Hill again
- Have to finish every run at the top of Arthur’s Seat or finish every run with a dip in the sea at Portobello? Dip in the sea.
