An Interview with a Multi-Marathon Runner
I always remember family parties at my Uncle David's house, the cousins off playing board games in the granny flat, or running havoc around his house. The walls were adorned with pictures of family and friends, however, some of the pictures were marathon finish line photographs of David with his times displayed above, crossing the line in multiple marathons in many different countries around the world. These pictures have stuck with me and are probably a subliminal influence on me wanting run a marathon.
I also remember all the family sitting around the TV on London Marathon day watching thousands and thousands of runners avidly looking for my Uncle David to grace the screen only for a few seconds. Without digital television there was no live pause or live rewind, you had to keep eagle eyed for the full duration. Without mobile phones, we had no idea when he had finished so we had to watch the full program without taking our eyes off the TV. So, yes, I do believe there is a subliminal influence as well as continued pride.
A sense of pride, knowing that my Uncle had ran 26.2 miles in style and I wanted to know what that feeling was like. How has training changed over the years, what inspired him to put on the running trainers and what is it like to run marathons in other countries?
Here is the interview, I hope you enjoy, and I hope it inspires you too.
1) Every story has a beginning, when did you decide to first do a marathon? Did someone inspire you to do it or was it a spur of the moment thing?
I was watching the 1984 London Marathon on TV, turned to my wife and said ‘I’m going to do that next year!’ So, yes, it was a spur of the moment thing, but I was inspired by Charlie Spedding, who won the men’s event, and women’s champion, the great Ingrid Kristiansen of Norway
2) Where and when was your first marathon? Do you remember the time you set?
London Marathon 1985. I was hoping to break four hours but finished in 4hrs13. Partway round, enjoying every moment of it, I remember saying to a fellow competitor ‘I’m doing this again next year’
3)You have run marathons all over the world. Do any stand out above the others? If so, why?
I enjoyed them all. London will always be special as I ran 10 of them, and later worked for London Marathon as Red Start co-ordinator and elite finisher official. Founder Chris Brasher had become a good friend, who I trained with in the Lake District, Snowdonia and Lanzarote. Apart from London, New York was extra special (a slow time but a great massage during the race as I stopped on the bridge looking over at the Manhattan skyline), Berlin will always be in my memory for the inspiring start at the Brandenburg Gate and the fast finish for a PB, while Snowdon was special because of the enormous challenge
4) What do you find most rewarding about running? Specifically long distances
Running has now kept me fit and healthy for thirty years. It has given me incredible stamina, which now benefits me as a tennis player. A two-hour match? Nothing. I used to run four hours plus on a regular basis. No matter what sport stimulates you, running - either as primary activity or back-up – can only help.
5) Technology and running science has come a long way since your first marathon. Do you think it helps or hinders? (I know you have only just moved off using VHS!)
I am old-fashioned. I did okay with what we had back in the Good Old Days. But there is nothing wrong with technology and running science. If it helps you, it’s there . . . use it!
6) What do you think about when you run?
Through the 80's and 90's I used to write my stories as I ran, particularly on my lunch break five-milers, then shower and change, rush back to the office, tell everyone to shut up while I rattled out the words on my computer, correcting mistakes once the story was saved. I also used to learn my theatre scripts as I ran – and that’s something I still do
7) How do you (did you) balance family life, working and training?
It all worked out perfectly. Working for a national newspaper as a sports sub-editor obviously helped with London Marathon contacts, plus shift work gave me plenty of time to train. Equally, when I later switched to working on a local newspaper, I found time for training. The family pushed me to run and later were inspired to also become involved
8) What is the fastest time you have completed a marathon? Do you feel you trained differently for this one or was it just how you felt on the day that made the difference?
Berlin 1988 was my fastest time . . . 3:33:01. By the time I traveled to Germany for the event my par time was 3hrs40. I was on a regular training routine, nothing different, but in a normal week (with Sunday as the only rest day) I generally ran a half-marathon at lunchtime on Wednesdays and a 25-miler on Saturdays, with fives and tens thrown in on the other days. I had trained with the London Marathon team over in Lanzarote earlier that year and was running well. I remember we awoke to a wet and cool day in Berlin but neither myself or my running partner David Burke felt the race was going to be extra-special. But it was, and I do remember keeping a very even pace and not feeling any real tiredness until the last mile. David Burke also hit a great time that day, 2hrs39 – and for both of us there was a quick recovery. We must have been fit!
9) How many marathons have you completed now? Individual and as part of a team
Eighteen! I have been calling it 17 – ten London's, two in Blackpool, New York, Berlin, Snowdonia, Amsterdam and Dublin – but folks say I should include the fantastic Manchester 2015 event, which I ran as finishing runner in a relay with my daughter Gillian, son-in-law Josh and friend Abs.
10) Do you still run? Are you a member of any clubs?
I did have running very much on the back burner for some years, but, happily, I am back with a vengeance – and all because of the ParkRun, the best thing to happen to the sport since the 80s and the London Marathon. Pennington Flash is my home run (and proud of it), but I have also raced at Worsley Woods, Preston Park (Brighton) and St Peter’s (Sydney, Australia). I have just completed No 66 . . . just 5k every Saturday morning. But what an inspiration for so many people. If you are not involved, you don’t know what you are missing!
11) What was/is your training regime for a marathon? How many times a week do you run, how far?
As I said earlier, six days a week and a definite rest day. No matter whether you are a good, bad or indifferent marathon hopeful, you must put in your miles on the road. Prepare your body for the ultimate challenge of the marathon
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Quick Fire:
a) Run with music or not?
Whatever turns you on and helps tick over the miles
b) Hills on purpose or stick to flats?
Definitely both. Cos you are going to hit both on any race – unless you are very lucky
c) Energy Gel, Banana or neither?
I used to eat Scottish shortbread biscuits before a marathon
d) Road or Off-Road?
Definitely both
e) Fill in the blank - Running is__FUN!
Finally, any words of advice for someone who is training for a marathon or looking to start running?
Enjoy every thrilling moment of the pain and the gain. You really can’t anticipate the future . . . or a time when there may be no gain. Just pain!
Thank you Uncle David for your time with this, I know that running has always been part of your life and you as you mention you have been influential with passing the running bug onto the cousins. The Family record of 3 hours 33 still stands to this day, although it has been challenged it still remains unbeaten....so far.....
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