Still Running (weakly). Issue 79

PAST – inspiration – “The most difficult race in the world to win,” is the way that the World Cross Country Championships have often been described, because the races pit 5000 and 10,000 runners against marathoners, steeplechasers and even 800/1500 specialists.

Never was this better illustrated than in 1975, when Ian Stewart of Scotland beat Mariano Haro of Spain, Bill Rodgers of the US and John Walker of New Zealand to the men’s title. Whilst the gold and silver medallists were 5 and 10km runners, Rodgers would breakthrough to win the Boston Marathon a month later, and Walker was a 1974 Commonwealth medallist at 800 and 1500!

Stewart, European and Commonwealth gold medallist at 5000 in 1969 and 1970 respectively, was still smarting from ‘only’ winning a bronze at the 1972 Olympics. He had taken some time out of the sport – cycling instead – but came back with a vengeance in March 1975 to win European Indoor 3000 and World Cross Country 12km within a week of each other.

PRESENT – perspiration – The European Cross Country Championships will be shown on the BBC this Sunday. It is an event where Great Britain and Northern Ireland has prospered over the years: for example, last year, we won 7 of the 13 golds on offer, plus a silver and three bronze medals. It is not uncommon for every member of the British team to go home with a medal – individual and/or team.

Have a look this weekend for some inspiration – perhaps to see the next generation of British distance running stars – and maybe even to get the spur you need to enter some marvellous, muddy, midwinter madness of your own.

FUTURE – suggestion – Quick take on winter running. Don’t overdress – if necessary, wear an extra layer that you can tie around your waist after a mile or so. Wear lights front and back at night. Keep hydrated – it’s easy to underestimate your thirst when it’s cold. If you warmup well enough and the surface is dependable, there’s no reason you can’t do speedwork.

Long runs are the only training that can really suffer, as it can be difficult to run fast enough to keep warm – but even then, judicious choice of clothing and pacing should allow you to go reasonably far. If you really can’t face the outdoors ‘cold’, warmup inside with press-ups, sit-ups, squats and running up and down stairs – or just get a grip, get out there and get on with it!