Still Running (weakly). Issue 25

PAST – inspiration – With the festive season on the horizon, there are many stories that come to mind of runners training on Christmas Day.

My favourite concerns Sebastian Coe in 1979, then at the height of his rivalry with Steve Ovett. On Christmas morning, Coe went out and ran about 12 miles, and was quite pleased with himself while tucking into his roast turkey lunch. Towards the end of the afternoon, however, he began to feel a little uneasy, sensing that his rival might be out training a second time, so he put his gear back on, and went out and ran about another 5 miles with some hill sprints thrown in.

Years later, he recounted the story to Ovett, who replied, “You mean you only trained twice that day!”

PRESENT – perspiration – After her win in the women’s mile at the Cardiff Cross Challenge last weekend, Hannah Irwin carried on running, completing another 4 times 1 mile at tempo pace.

Many runners now combine a race with some further efforts.

One of the most infamous examples concerns Alberto Salazar having Galen Rupp follow up his US record indoor 2 miles of 8:07, with repeat miles of 4:21, 4:20, 4:20, 4:16 and 4:01. (Salazar has since been banned for life for emotional and sexual misconduct towards his athletes.)

But the approach – if moderated – makes a lot of sense, especially if the race has not been too long. The athlete has probably tapered for the race, thereby missing a hard day or two; they are nicely warmed up by the competition; and so they carry on with further efforts, to gain the maximum value from their day, and, if you like, bring the aggregate worth of their work back up to the required level for that week.

FUTURE – suggestion – With the clocks going back, and the opportunity to exercise in the light after work vanishing, one’s thoughts turn to the plight of the lone female runner on these evenings.

Ladies, you shouldn’t have to take such precautions, but please do consider not running alone, avoiding secluded areas, staying on well-lit streets with people around, letting someone know where you’re going, and not running with earbuds in.

Also, if you track your runs online, either make them visible only to your friends, or vary your routine. It is not unknown for stalkers to plot a runner’s routes on these apps, and lie in wait for them the next time.

And men – if you are approaching a female runner, give them as wide a berth as possible, and do not say anything. Your “innocent” remark can feel very threatening to a lone female. If you are a male runner going the same way as a female, cross the road or go another way.

Make it as clear as possible as early as possible that you are not following them.

Be part of the solution.