Still Running (weakly). Issue 51

PAST – inspiration – In the 1960s and early 70s, two of the world’s very greatest male distance runners were Kip Keino of Kenya, who won two Olympic golds and two silvers, and Ron Clarke of Australia, who set seventeen world records.

They contested many Olympic and Commonwealth finals between them, and, in the last 220 yards of the Commonwealth 3 miles in Kingston 1966, as Keino finally dropped Clarke to claim gold, David Coleman can be heard in commentary: “……..and a real surprise in third, Allan Rushmer of England……a wonderful last lap by young Allan Rushmer.”

Rushmer, who died in April aged 80, is one of the last of the British distance stalwarts of that period, no doubt training upwards of 100 miles a week and turning out for their clubs year-round, in cross country championships, road relays and on the track. Any international recognition or call-up was a rare cherry on their cake, making Rushmer’s bronze behind those two legends in Kingston a glorious peak indeed. RIP Allan.

PRESENT – perspiration – At the other end of the age spectrum, Phoebe Gill last week improved her 800 metres personal best from 2:01.50 to 1:57.86 in a race in Belfast – a remarkable advance but what is so very special about it is that she only turned 17 in April, and her time is a new European under-18 record.

The performance puts her firmly in the frame for a shot at making the UK Olympic team, although the 800 event is currently somewhat crowded with talent in the shape of Keely Hodgkinson, Jemma Reekie, Laura Muir, Alex Bell and Isabelle Boffey.

There will be those who would echo Alan Hansen’s famous pronouncement about Manchester United’s young side of 1995-96 (“you can’t win anything with kids”) and say that she is too young to go to Paris. To which I would say, “If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.”

A talent like Gill’s deserves the stimulation of the toughest competition as early as possible.

FUTURE – suggestion – Unfortunately, few of us are blessed with Phoebe Gill’s natural talent, but we can nevertheless learn from her unflappable attitude. “I’m in shock,” she said after her record-breaking performance, “because I was late for the race because I got the timings mixed up.”

She didn’t let that, or an overenthusiastic first lap, put her off: supposed to run through 400 in around 58, she actually clocked 56.56 seconds, prompting the Irish commentator to exclaim, “Holy good night.”

Whilst being late for a race, and going off too fast, are not ideal, we can teach ourselves to make the best of things. Back in the day, when I was racing to win, I would train myself not to get rattled if I didn’t have time for a proper warmup, or I’d forgotten my socks, or I got tripped at the start.

Don’t let a detail derail the whole deal.