Still Running (weakly). Issue 05

PAST – inspiration – “I had to slow down to let him catch me up,” said Della Pascoe of her first meeting with future husband, Alan, at her father’s training group in Portsmouth in the 1960s. Della, who died on 22nd June this year, would go on to represent GB in the sprints at the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games, and was part of the 4x200 metres team who set a world record. It took the all-conquering East German squad quite a few years to beat it.

Of the couple, Alan arguably had more success, being on the team who won Olympic 4x400 metres silver in 1972, and winning Commonwealth and European golds at 400 metres hurdles in 1974. News of Della Pascoe’s death took me back to a time when British athletics was just coming out of the doldrums, with David Bedford setting a world 10,000 metres record, and people such as Andrea Lynch, Brendan Foster, Mary Peters and Pascoe emerging into word-beating form. RIP Della

PRESENT – perspiration – Taking part in my club’s annual Mob Match – Basingstoke and Mid Hants AC versus Overton Harriers (where every runner scores for their club) – last Thursday 29th June, again reminded me of so much that is great about running. The ferocity of the competition was matched by the friendliness of the banter before and after the race. Runners, old and young, fast and slow, mixed in the village hall afterwards, renewing acquaintances and exchanging stories over tea, coffee, cakes and homemade sausage rolls.

From a personal point of view, the marshals and timekeepers waited patiently for one old codger, who had had a knee replacement recently, to get round. I was so far behind the next runner, that I feared they might all have gone home! But no fear, they were there, recording a time for me (on a stopwatch, not a calendar, thank you very much!) that was actually two minutes faster than last year. So maybe the new knee is starting to overtake the old knee! Watch out, Jakob Ingebrigtsen!

FUTURE – suggestion – I don’t know what it is about these evening races, but I always enjoy the experience of running hard towards the end of the day. Somehow, after a day’s work, one does not get as nervous about them as about the traditional Sunday morning must-get-a-PB-in-this-10km! (Maybe the Sunday is all about the race, whereas a weekday race is just a part of that day’s agenda.) And nothing can really compare with the lovely mellow feeling that you get after crossing a sunset-lit finish line. With the height of summer upon us, why not have a look out for local evening races? Whether you are at the dawn or the twilight of your running career, they can offer a change of pace and mood midweek.