Still Running (weakly). Issue 32

PAST – inspiration – Sobering to read in Athletics Weekly the list of athletes and coaches who died in 2023. Among Olympic champions Ralph Boston (1960 long jump), Jim Hines (1968 100m) and Dick Fosbury (1968 high jump) is my old friend, Rod Lock – for many years a stalwart at Southampton AC and in 1988 Best Man at my wedding.

A great student of the sport, Rod taught his athletes many things. That training speeds must be specific to the target event. That rest is as important as activity. That a disciplined lifestyle is as crucial as disciplined training. That dunes help you breathe less easily.

As I write this, it is the anniversary of his death, and I know that many athletes across Hampshire and beyond are putting in their hard sessions this sunny Sunday morning – because of his influence and, on this day, in his memory.

PRESENT – perspiration – Karsten Warholm, the 400 metres hurdles Olympic champion and world record holder, is renowned for his unorthodox training methods, but if you ever hesitate about going out for a run on a cold day, YouTube, “Karsten Warholm snow,” and select the 23-second clip.

I suppose there’s not much else to do during those long Norwegian winters!

There’s something about those who undertake the 400 metres hurdles. Ed Moses (US, gold 1976 and 1984) was renowned for his excruciating track sessions, the speed endurance resulting from which enabling him to be the first to take 13 strides between all hurdles. John Akii-Bua (Uganda, 1972) ran 400 metres intervals – uphill – at altitude – with a 25lb weighted vest on. And David Hemery (GB, 1968) describes in his book, “Another Hurdle,” training in the Boston, Massachusetts, winter. Many athletes were using the indoor university track under an inflated, heated dome, while, “Outside on the football pitch, I was bounding through snow. Perhaps it was the psychological edge I felt, by thinking that no one else would be doing the same – given the opportunities I had.

“For me, the hardest way is the best way.”

FUTURE – suggestion – “I get a few weeks in, and then just lose it.” Indeed. How do you keep your training going when life conspires to get in the way? My number one tip in this regard is to give your week a shape. “Run with Lisa Tuesday, parkrun on Saturday.” Even something as threadbare as this can make the rest of your schedule fall into place.

You know you’ll be letting Lisa down if you don’t run on Tuesday, so you’re more likely to do it. If you’ve got parkrun on a Saturday, maybe it’ll inspire you to do another run on a Thursday – and go further on a Sunday morning – and go to the gym – and try hills with Lisa on a Tuesday too.

Your week doesn’t need too many ‘anchors’ of this kind to take on a life of its own – to give you a conscience – and to keep your training going when the going gets tough.