Still Running (weakly). Issue 39

PAST – inspiration – If one had to choose a single event when the fortunes of GB athletes (certainly on the men’s side) turned, it would have to be the European Cup Final of 1973, held in Edinburgh. The Russians and East Germans were usually all conquering and we had struggled to produce any winners at all in previous editions of this team competition.

But the triumphs of Chris Monk (200), Andy Carter (800), Frank Clement (1500), Brendan Foster (5000) and Alan Pascoe (400 hurdles) paved the way for world beaters like Sebastian Coe, Steve Ovett, Daley Thompson, Tessa Sanderson, Fatima Whitbread and Sally Gunnell to emerge in their wake.

PRESENT – perspiration – Cheat! Athletes who have perspired less than they would have us believe include Dwain Chambers, Kate Carter and Moshe Lederfien. But my feelings towards the three vary greatly.

Chambers, a 100-metre runner, was caught for doping in 2003 and received a two-year ban. But I admire his honesty and his longevity. He admitted his guilt and has campaigned against drugs. He has made sporadic returns to competition, even running in the UK Indoor Championship 60 metres this year, at the age of 45.

By contrast, Carter, a commissioning editor at Runner’s World, of all places, has had her performances at two recent high-profile events called into question through online tracking. Marathon Investigations has presented clear evidence of her not running the full courses, and her response in the Telegraph, whilst admitting some mistakes, has not convinced many running experts.

Lederfien, a 70-year-old Israeli, who runs with a pineapple balanced on his head (I kid you not, old fruit), has also been shown to have run only 17km of the Seville Marathon. Let’s just say that the 3:21:48 result, which he still claims, is excellent at any age, world class at 70, but does not ring true for someone burdening himself with that extra chunky challenge.

The latter two should be outed, disqualified and banned.

FUTURE – suggestion – “Don’t dawdle at the top; turn straight round and jog back down.” I have banged on about this before, but, in hill and speed sessions, it is vital to be disciplined about your recovery.

A session of six 200-metre hill sprints with a strict jog back down is a very different animal from 6 200-metre hill sprints and, “yeah, just start the next one when you like.” Similarly, 8x400 metres on the track with 45 seconds between is of far more benefit then 8x400 with a bit of a chat and a drink and check your phone between each.

The value of these sessions lies in the fact that you are not recovering fully between the efforts, a discipline which would maximise their speed-endurance enhancing effect.