Still Running (weakly). Issue 03

PAST – inspiration – On 2nd June this year, Kirani James, Olympic 400 metres champion from 2012, finished his warmup at Mesa Community College track in Arizona, and walked over to tell his coach, Harvey Glance, that he was ready to begin his session. Glance was unresponsive in his chair. 10 days later, he died.

Another great had left us. After maintaining a regime in his youth that included running 5 miles a day in a sweatsuit and combat boots (he still walked 1 to 1.5 miles a day up to his death), for a period in the 70s, Harvey Glance was ‘da man’ of sprinting. At a time when the 100 metres world record was 9.9, he ran times whilst still in college that had officials checking their watches (9.9 hand-timed twice, and world junior records of 10.12 and 10.11 with automatic timing.) He came 4th in the 1976 Olympic 100 and won gold in the 4x100 relay. His longevity as an athlete saw him win World Championship 4x100 gold as late as 1987.

Despite his only being 66 when he died, Glance’s wife, Tammi took comfort in the fact that he died in an environment where he had spent so much of his time and his passion: “It finishes a beautiful story of his life,” she said. RIP Harvey Glance.

PRESENT – perspiration – Faith Kipyegon of Kenya has certainly done some perspiring this month, following up her world record 1500 of 3:49.11 on 2nd June with a 5000 WR on the 9th. In doing so, she beat the incumbent record holder, Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia, running her final 200 in 28.6 to clinch the record in 14:05.20.

What was even more heartwarming was the reception she received from the entire field after the 1500 record. She is obviously a very popular athlete, and the way they all crowded around to congratulate her was lovely to see. Let’s just say that athletes usually know what is going on behind the scenes and such adulation is not accorded those about whom there are suspicions.

It’s good that the Eastern European and Chinese holders of these records in the 70s, 80s and 90s are firmly in the rearview mirror.

FUTURE – suggestion – Hills are magic – in one session, you reap the rewards for your efforts in so many ways, enhancing your raw speed, your leg strength, your speed-endurance, your endurance with longer hills, and your running form. Also, they generally don’t lead to injury because you are naturally landing (uphill) with less force. Warmup well and stretch those calves before and after the session. There’s gold in them thar hills!.