Still Running (weakly). Issue 14

PAST – inspiration – “As I stepped onto the track, I felt my legs go rubbery. I saw over 100,000 people in the stands, and before I knew it, I had collapsed onto the infield grass.” It was an inauspicious start to the final of the 1956 Olympic 800 metres for American Tom Courtney. He recovered – and ran the race of his life on the greatest stage, taking the lead from compatriot Arnie Sowell with 100 metres left. He seemed to be safe until Derek Johnson of Great Britain appeared, passing Courtney and gaining a yard’s lead. The tape was only 50 yards away. It has been said that Courtney threw his entire life into what was left of the race, lunging past Johnson to win by 0.1 of a second.

The medal ceremony had to be delayed by an hour for the two of them to recover. Courtney won another gold in the 4x400 metres relay.

Courtney and Johnson didn’t discuss the race until years later. “You know, I’ve run that race a thousand times, and each time I’ve won,” remarked Johnson. “I’ve run that race a thousand times too,” said Courtney. “And each time I’ve thrashed you.” Johnson died in 2004, and Courtney on 22nd August this year. RIP

PRESENT – perspiration – the Dream Mile used to be run in Oslo every year, eliciting world records from the likes of Seb Coe (1979), Steve Ovett (1980) and Steve Cram (1985.) Sadly, it is now defunct. But my club, Basingstoke and Mid Hants AC, continues the tradition (run in the midst of our younger age group championships), though the “dream” here is more about ageing athletes dreaming of past glories! And so, on Sunday 3rd September, we lined up for our annual test. Dave Ragan, who coached Ben Pattison to World Championship bronze this year, won the fastest heat; your correspondent took roughly twice as long to soldier round my own four and a bit laps.

But what really moved me was the support we received from all age groups – young, fit teenage 400 metre runners empathising with 65-year-old plodders – as well as the selfless way that many of the mile competitors finished their race and went straight back to their volunteer roles – helping the timekeepers, collecting javelins or raking the long jump pit for the youngsters. Nice!

FUTURE – suggestion – It’s hot out there. What can you do? Run early in the morning or late in the evening. Dial down the intensity – maybe swap your easy week to this week? Find shady routes to run. Wear light colours. Put ice cubes under your hat. Run a loop that passes your house every mile or so for you to grab an iced drink. And even, though this will be blasphemy to some, run inside on an airconditioned treadmill. Take care out there.