Red and Black Magazine jsummer 2021 v2

Up the hill www.hernehillharriers.org

2021 SUMMER ISSUE RED&BLACK

EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE
INTERVIEW:
Christian by
Malcolm,
Head Coach Herne Hill Harriers is a community athletics club that
of the British believes in diversity & is open to all.
Athletics
Olympic CSOPAECCHIAINLG
Programme
Race face!
Running
after having Cross
a baby country

The Ultra calling
scene
1

100m Hurdles It is this
that I remember, this
by William Borden for Rachel and the puff smoke
that proceeds the crack of the pistol,
The runners the flurry of legs, the rocking
shake each foot of hurdles grazed, the legs stretching,
loosening the arms swimming, the crowd yelling,
gravity’s tight jealousy as you clear hurdle after
before settling hurdle, a dancer leaping
into the blocks. into the fine threads of the future,
faster than my heart, which
Fingertips on the line- leaps everything for you.
the starter’s hand goes up.
The watchers wait
to breathe.

This is the moment
all time
rises on a toe.

(From: The Runner’s Literary Companion. Edited by Garth Battista, published by Breakaway Books.)

2 Cover photo: Katie Snowden in Team GB kit at Battersea Park before heading to race at the Tokyo Olympics (picture courtesy of Northern Collective Media).

Honouring
the past and
defending the
future

In the summer of 2021 athletics loomed large. The the track she grew up
long-delayed Tokyo Olympics bore down, its future on as an athlete, things
in question until the last minute. And, in this edition might have been very
of Red & Black you’ll read how for many the sport was different, as Katie told
a lifeline during the coronavirus pandemic. Athletes Red & Black:
and coaches reflect on how they adapted to keep a
semblance of continuity in their training. With summer a “It’s important that
gradual loosening of restrictions saw the cautious return we recognise the past
of track and field competition. pioneers of our sport
and their Olympic success, but also that we build strong
In our corner of South London, Team GB’s Olympic foundations for the future. A few hundred yards from
past was honoured due to the hard work of the where this blue plaque will mark the home in Tooting of
community aided by local historian, Geoff Simmons. On double Olympic gold medallist, Albert Hill, is the track
a house only a few hundred meters from Herne Hill’s where I trained for years to gain selection for this year’s
Tooting trace, a blue plaque was put up to honour the Tokyo Olympics. But that track is now under threat and
largely forgotten double Olympic gold medallist Albert urgently needs repair. The next best way to honour
Hill. He was a 31 year old railway worker who went to our local Olympic tradition will be to have the Tooting
the 1920 Antwerp Games and won the great middle- track made fit again for competition and to train future
distance double of 800m and 1500m – a feat not Olympians.”
repeated by a GB athlete until Dame Kelly Holmes in
2004. Most remarkably he did it after enduring three Our sport and our club has endured, and in doing
years of conflict in the First World War. so it helps its athletes endure too. With media interest,
community backing and the support of former club
But, just as Britain’s South London Olympic past was Olympians such as Jade Johnson we hope it will
being honoured, the facilities to guarantee its future continue to do so. As Geoff Simmons said, “I was so
are in doubt. For competition to continue on our home thrilled when I found out that a local athlete was going to
track, it urgently needs resurfacing. With a petition the Olympics to run in one of Albert Hill’s events. Young
demonstrating widespread community support for the people are going to look up at that plaque and want to
sporting outlet it provides to people of all ages and emulate them. We need Tooting Bec Track sorted to help
backgrounds, its fate as a venue for high quality training give them all a chance.”
and athletic competition hangs in the balance.
Andrew Simms & Natasha Lodge
Katie Snowden, Herne Hill’s leading middle distance Co-editors, Red & Black
athlete, was selected for the Team GB Olympic squad
to run in the 1500m alongside Laura Muir. But without

RED & BLACK MAGAZINE 3
EDITORIAL | Andrew Simms | Email: [email protected] | Twitter: @Andrewsimms_UK
DESIGN, LAYOUT AND PRINT | Glen Keegan | Words & Pictures Ltd | 8 Stoney Lane, London SE19 3BD | www.wordsandpictures.co.uk | 020 8653 5203

PEOPLE

“These are my

glory days!”

WHY I RUN

An age old question that is often hard to answer, Gillian Wheeldon shows that it is the
people we train with that are a key motivating factor and who keep us coming back

for more. Here’s to all the amazing female athletes of Herne Hill.

Ilove thinking and talking about myself as much Roll on a bit more to 2002, and I was in a new job.
as the next person, but to explore too deeply has I saw a poster for a Flora 5km women’s challenge
the potential to reveal pride - something that feels and in trying to ingratiate myself with my colleagues
shameful and boastful. Where I’m from in Yorkshire, I signed up. My whole family turned out to watch (for
drawing attention to yourself in any way brings swift the first and last time). I assume I followed some kind
condemnation from the older aunties, dinner ladies and of plan, although I don’t remember, as I ran it in under
spiteful girls. 30 minutes and was exhausted. I didn’t run much
after that until the boys joined HHH under James
At school, I was an alright sprinter. It was as much McDonald’s tender care.
as I could manage, given my affection for cigarettes
and alcohol. Although I did once try out a club training James is famous for his rather long emails, so I
session with a friend, but got really tired and never confess to sometimes not reading them all the way
went again. Roll forward about 25 years, one husband, through, but one in 2011 caught my eye. It was a call
and three boys later, and my perspective on sport had to mothers of his athletes from Barbara Macanas, who
changed somewhat. My husband knew exactly what was then running the women’s Vets team. She was
you have to do with children - run their legs off if you looking for more runners. I had stopped smoking and
want to get any kind of peace in the evenings. He loved the expectations seemed low. I wondered what would
playing football himself and seeing the transformation happen. In preparation, I arranged to meet Mandy
that it can make to boys from all backgrounds, I Brown, and Cindy Godwin at the track to run around it a
decided it was time for a change. Smoking was few times. For some reason, I thought I would be better
never a great example to be setting, and it became at middle distance, possibly only because I had never
progressively more difficult to hide out upstairs, blowing tried it, so at the match, I volunteered for the 1500m.
smoke out of the window. Being out of breath after I kept up with Cindy for about 30 seconds, felt tired
walking up those same stairs to read a bedtime story immediately, but managed to finish the race.
wasn’t so good either, so on National No Smoking Day
around 1997 I gave up. At the next match, I ran the 400m, a distance I have
since learned to dislike, but won it. Then I got injured,

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and that was the end of my opening season. But I PEOPLE
kept going back because I loved the people I met
there; there is something fabulous about female 5
athletes. The feeling of training hard until you feel
sick, then laughing with others around you is not
an experience you can get everywhere. Let’s face
it, women have to put up with a lot of nonsense,
much of which discourages achievement or even
trying. To call a girl competitive is not often used
as a compliment. So I applaud all those who let
that ambition run riot in such a straightforward
way. At whatever level they do it, they are extra
special. That is what I have found.

Despite feeling a sense of shame in saying this,
I run because I want to be better and faster, and
because I want to do my best. I have run almost
every distance apart from the marathon, and in
2019 I tried the high jump and the javelin. I am
definitely better at sprinting but hope springs
eternal that if I ever achieved what some sadist
says is my racing weight, then I could get that
1500m time down a bit.

If I were to thank all the lovely people I have
met along the way it would take a whole other
article. Mark White and his spreadsheets have
a special place in my heart, because they were
focused on what we as individuals needed to
do. I suppose I have been asked to write this
because I am old (60 – eek – it will come to you),
but really, unless you are an Olympian, there is
always someone a bit better than you and always
something you can improve. My boundaries, in
terms of the training I can tolerate are narrower
than a 25 year old, but otherwise there is not
really any difference between us. An advantage in
starting later in life is that I have no glory days to
look back on. These are my glory days!

PEOPLE

The long
run to better

coaching

Middle distance coach Steve Knight, puts all his years of competing together
with plenty of mind-bending time to think during the pandemic to come
up with his lessons for better coaching

When one of the Editors asked me for a It is necessary to backtrack through to my active
contribution for the magazine, I thought about it days as an athlete to arrive at the birth of some of the
and felt that there was very little to write about. principles that inform the assumptions that I make that,
So, I did very little. Then the other Editor sent me a text in turn, underpin our programme. Like everyone else I
asking me to write something. I was thinking about it know at Herne Hill, I was an amateur club athlete; I was
when I saw Mr Simms (who was out training) while I was unpaid, I did the sport because I loved it. It was fun. It
out on my hour’s walk for the day. I was thinking about made me feel good in the doing of it and in the aftermath
our meeting on the way home and realised that I had at the pub with my friends.
been doing a lot more thinking than coaching in recent
weeks. In fact, I was at the time reading a book about For years, I trained with a group of 20 – 30 people. A
thinking, which was in turn making me think! group fronted by club stalwart Stan Allen. Stan followed
a pattern, the same pattern, year after year. Broadly
I was beginning to get a headache. In order to ease speaking, it fitted into the demands of racing at any
my intellectual distress, I decided to off-load my thinking particular time of year. We all did ok! As I got older,
onto the Editorial team. If this makes it into print, it I realised that my individual needs as ageing athlete
will have passed one set of unbiased eyes and might were not always being met by the programme Stan was
therefore be worthwhile. If it’s still rubbish, then it’s their running. I got into the indoor season and wanted to do
fault, not mine. speed work in January and February. That is not what
the others were doing. Training was getting repetitious.
Through this article, I have used text in Bold to indicate Stan would often say, I’ll bet Steve can tell you what we
the thoughts I want you to hang onto. are going to do tonight! Invariably I could do just that.
There were sessions that I hated – 5 x 1 mile at 5 min
Put briefly, I had been thinking about what Glen pace (if possible). I just stopped doing that one; it wasn’t
Keegan and I do with our ‘Non-Elite MD’ training group. fun.
I was considering why we did it the way that we do, how
what we do changed because of Covid and whether the Stan and I never fell out over the increasing differences
changes forced upon us have their upside for the future, of opinion on what suited me best. It was impossible
rather than simply being a stop gap during lockdown.

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PEOPLE

to fall out with him; he was one wonderful guy. From a really allowed me to grasp the value of what he was
coaching perspective, he laid the groundwork for my doing. Equally I felt there was an over-reliance on the
current operating philosophy. Stan was always prepared science that was getting further away from the reality and
to listen and debate our contrasting ideas. He would joy of racing and beating people than I was happy with.
play devil’s advocate. He had a strategy that worked for Happily, Mark was someone I got on with and we could
the majority of the time, for the majority of the people. discuss our differences when we met socially. I learned
However, he was never arrogant about the correctness of a couple of things of real value to me from his work.
his philosophy for absolutely everyone. He was prepared Each of his sessions had a very specific purpose and he
to work with me as an individual while doing something worked at making incremental gains by adjusting only
else with others. one variable (that was the scientist at work!)

You can see where I’m going; it has to be fun, you have Where we differed was my preference for racing
to listen to your athletes, you must be prepared to debate against what seemed to be his ‘fitness club’ approach. I
differences of opinion, you must have strategy that is was all for pulling on the Red&Black vest and getting out
broadly speaking effective, never have an arrogance that there. In retrospect, I realise I was doing him an injustice.
assumes that you know best and work with individuals. He was at the forefront of picking up people from
Parkruns; those who saw ‘running’ as a fitness activity
As a caveat on that last point, a little story about my in the same way as they would go to the Gym. I should
first adventure abroad to the European Masters Indoor have known better really because I had no problem with
Championships. I was 50 years old at the time and had advocating ‘belonging to a Gym’ as a really good lifestyle
35 years of competitive experience. Training was not choice for the students I taught. I did feel however, that
going well in the 3 weeks prior to the Champs, but Stan if you join a running club, you should be getting ready
was always there with a kind and reassuring word at to race. If you just want fitness, get a personal trainer. If
the end of the session. I came back with a Bronze from someone pays their subs each year and wants to use our
those championships and I still remember walking out expertise for their own fitness purposes, who are we to
onto the track in Bordeaux with Stan’s reassuring words argue? I think we encourage and offer the opportunity to
clearly sounding in my head. At the end of the day, I race as a natural extension of the joys of running.
knew that it was as much Stan’s medal as it was mine.
We had arrived. He had forged a partnership with me During that period, I had acquired a small cadre of
for which I am eternally grateful. So, let’s add that to the experienced veteran athletes who were training to race
qualities that, to me, inform good coaching. It’s a WE rather than for fitness. It was hugely enjoyable to be on
thing, not a ME thing. There’s no room for ego-tripping if that journey with adults and friends. Inevitably Mark
you really want to do a job. moved away to complete a Masters and then a PHd. A
brilliant mind and open to a wide range of ideas, he still
As a PE teacher for 47 years, we would coach teams contributes to club magazine articles and still baffles me
from Year 7 to Year 11 primarily. It was much the same with science.
thing in terms of my motivation; it was the journey
together with a group of kids. For the most part, the As the oldest athlete standing on the track, the role
journey itself was enough and on the occasions when of coaching sort of fell on me from a great height. The
you achieved something of real note together, it was the regular numbers on a Tuesday had been between 15
pleasure of creating memories for a lifetime. It’s working and 20. The influx from the Parkruns increased and I
with people, who are all of equal value, not where the realised that I was working with a lot of 20 and 30 year
elite performers of your group are more important. That’s old novices who had had no experience of racing since
not to say that elite performers have different needs. they did PE lessons at school. They had to learn how to
train and learn how to race. I made a point of explaining
All good things come to an end and Stan passed away. the purpose of each session and how it related to racing.
What Stan left mutated though with Mark White who The numbers grew and the spread of ages grew. Soon a
epitomised many of those qualities that I have already group of 30 plus became the norm. I needed to recruit
identified. Mark and I could not really see eye to eye. My on the coaching side. Enter Glen Keegan with a massive
lack of scientific knowledge and understanding never

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PEOPLE background in marathon and ultra- distance
running. Where members sought advice on
8 half and full marathons, Glen was the man. I
had the experience of track and cross country
and between us, a good knowledge of road
racing and road race preparation. Before very
long, a group of 40 to 45 was the norm on a
Tuesday, with a record number of 53.

Having spent many years doing sessions
that I can only describe as ‘same old, same
old’, I determined that I would attempt to keep
things fresh all the time and not repeat any
one session in any given year. That was a big
ask but not repeating anything for 6 months
was a breeze. I work in 4 week blocks of
mixed distances and pace, changing the
order of the different distances and the
recovery times. It tends to keep the athlete
engaged mentally in what they are doing,
leading to a more reflective athlete.

It was great fun. We must have been doing
something right; there was a great rapport
within the group. Working in 4 groups gave
everybody a close coterie of friends. People
thrived on moving up through the groups
and individuals could be relied upon to look
after newcomers. They began to turn out
and race in bigger numbers, on the road and
the track primarily. We practiced race tactics
in training. We celebrated repeated race
success and PBs each week. THEN ALONG
CAME COVID.

Suddenly, from standing in front of 40 plus
people, there was no one. We were putting
out sessions for the group and hoping that
would be out training in their little groups or
was it pairs? I forget. I had very little feedback
on the one to one basis that we had at the
track. In the group of 40, I would touch base
with 20 of those each week. As an athlete,
you know full well how much you miss the
sport when you are injured. Having graduated
to coaching, rather than simply changing from
racing to coaching, I had no prior experience
of how I would miss coaching quite so much
as I did.

‘You have to listen to your athletes . . .’ PEOPLE

Fortunately, with Glen and his technological expertise reflective and showing an insight into their own
through his business, I graduated into Facebook, improvement and running. What thrills me most is how
Mailchimp, group emails, jpegs, video clips, Strava and often I see the words ‘fun’ and ‘enjoy’ in their responses.
more recently Garmin. A world which I rarely inhabited If we are making progress and having fun and enjoying it
in any meaningful way, other than at work. Clearly in the process, there can’t be much wrong in the world.
communication, outside of face to face meeting was going
to be important. The big question was what was that The general qualities that you should aspire to as a
message going to be? What did it need to be? My own coach are clearly delineated when you complete the UKA
withdrawal feelings led to an obvious conclusion. We had Coaching Qualifications. I recognised these qualities in
to preach the ‘long view’, we had to make sure that they the people and experiences that I felt privileged to have.
reconnected to the fundamental joy and fun of the activity The transition from athlete to coach was not difficult and
and did not lose sight of that. Virtual races offered some it has kept me in the sport I have thoroughly enjoyed for
motivation. However, during that period, communication 56 years. I get as much pleasure as I used to get from
across the group seemed limited. I simply don’t know running the sessions myself, albeit a different sort of
what went on to any great extent, despite the technology. pleasure.

When constraints were lifted and we were allowed to So, here’s my blueprint of coaching qualities;
coach groups of 12, we were soon able to see in excess • make sure it’s fun,
of 30 people each week with sessions at 6pm and 7pm • you have to listen to your athletes,
on Tuesday and Thursdays. A major plus. The feedback • you must be prepared to debate differences of opinion,
from them was just how much they enjoyed training in • y ou must have strategy that is broadly speaking
a group, with their friends. I feel that we are not going
to replace that. Training in groups of 6 was working effective,
reasonably well for some, going out in 3s and 4s or a • never have an arrogance that assumes that you know
Sunday run.
best and work with individuals, forge a partnership with
Another development during that time was the advent your athletes,
of a small, dedicated middle distance group, with an age • the journey together is enough, it’s not all about the
range of 12 to 60. Sessions were tailored to the needs medals,
of specific individuals. The results in terms of race times • it’s working with people who are all of equal value,
were superb with everyone in the group achieving the regardless of ability,
targets that we established at the beginning of that period. • each session has a very specific purpose,
• work at making incremental gains,
With the advent of another lockdown, we resumed • running’ as a fitness activity is perfectly valid,
online communication and I was not convinced that • show athletes how to train and learn how to race,
they were any more or any less successful than they • keep things fresh all the time,
were before. What I did change was to start serious, in • sessions can be tailored to the needs of specific
depth remote coaching with my little, mixed ages, MD individuals
group. I send out the sessions with their purpose and • detailed info about your athletes is good info.
an indication of what the intended incremental changes The difficulty for Glen and I coming out of lockdown
are. I get feedback within hours of the completion of the is how to meld the large group success with 40 or more
session; it contains weather and ground conditions, rep people and to still find the time for the intense and in-
times and information about how they felt (plus an out of depth coaching of smaller specialist groups within that
10 rating). I have a lot of detail now including info about whole. We need to meet the needs of both.
other constraints and events (Netball training for instance) One obvious solution is to recruit more coaches from
that sometimes have implications. This has proved hugely within the club! This club needs coaches in all areas of
enjoyable for me personally and I am still seeing evidence competition as well as officials. If any of this resonates
of substantial improvement because I can closely tailor with you, why not get involved. As a parent, it’s better
the sessions to their needs. They have been increasingly than simply being the taxi service. As an ageing athlete,
it’s a whole new lease of life. Why not give it a try!

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PEOPLE

Meet the
Coach

Herne Hill Harriers is full of amazing coaches who give up their time to help us train
and become the best that we can. Phoebe Bowen tells us just how influential
James McDonald has been to the junior group and how his time and
dedication has made them a force to be reckoned with.

We all know that there are special people in our Ever since taking the squad under his wing, those
lives, who have a large influence in shaping us first-rate athletes, along with countless medals and
into who we become. In my case, someone trophies, have just kept on coming. A perfect showcase
who stands out is James, my athletics coach. of James’ coaching skills is Commonwealth Youth
Games winner and multiple-time GB representative,
James McDonald is the lead coach for the Herne Hill Katie Snowden. Throughout his time as a coach, James
Harriers junior middle-distance squad. When James has also won multiple awards that only just touch on
first became the squad’s coach, at times they were the blood, sweat and tears he puts into making every
the laughing stock of the middle-distance world, better athlete in his squad, the best that they can be. A few
known for being in the ambulance than on the podium. of his greatest achievements include England Athletics
However, after many cold, wet and windy training trips Regional “Development Coach of the Year”, for London,
to Camber Sands beach, along with notorious nights during the Olympics. James won that award jointly with
spent running around Streatham Common, hearts the coach of Olympic hurdler, Perry Shakes Drayton,
pumping, mud slashing up legs, he was able to turn Chris Zah. He also won Wandsworth Coach of the year
this all around. The red and black vests became hot with the evening’s presentation carried out by Sky
property! Sports’ David Garrido”, not to mention his countless
recognitions for volunteering work.
James’ first step to coaching was when his daughter
joined the middle-distance squad at Tooting athletics Not only is James extremely inspirational for all his
track. James initially only assisted with coaching, but coaching work but he has also had to face a challenge
it was too late, the addiction had started, and he soon that you wouldn’t wish upon your worst enemy. Back
reached the heady heights of lead coach. James in 2011 when running a half-marathon James spotted
was only meant to stay for one year but, despite his a competitor’s T-shirt spreading awareness for bowel
daughter moving on, he just “couldn’t leave the kids”, cancer. It set alarm bells ringing. Initially the doctors
after seeing the incredible improvements that they were had told him it was nothing. A few months later he
making.

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‘James has taught me that often in PEOPLE
life you get out what you put in’

collapsed onto the floor at home. After being rushed to only allowed me to reach my full potential as a runner
the hospital James was told he had a life-threatening but has also made me mentally strong, preparing me
case of bowel cancer which had spread to the liver. to cope with whatever life throws at me. If I am able to
And there was no cure. It seemed as though fate was run 10 kilometres or more on a treacherous Tuesday
written in the stars when a mum of one of his athletes, evening what else is there I can’t do?
managed to get him an appointment with one of the
top surgeons. James persevered through countless Fundamentally, James has taught me that often in
brutal treatments to make his family and his squad, “his life you get out what you put in. He gives everything
second family”, proud. to coaching and his indefatigable effort is reflected in
much shiny metalware as well as the diligent athletes he
Without James I definitely wouldn’t be the athlete, produces. Ever since I met James his heartening story
or person, I am today. His continued fighting spirit, and stand out personality has had a large impact on
strength and stamina through even the darkest of times me. Because of him I now strive to be the best I can be
inspires me. James’ story is also a perfect example at everything I do. I know that achievements and results
that through being kind and helping others, you will do take time but that they are worth the effort. I know
reap rewards! James often tells us that athletics is his that giving someone your time is extremely valuable
vocation, that he enjoys focusing on producing state from both sides.
of the art training programs and following athletes’
performances. He needs something to occupy his I don’t think anyone, including James, knew that by
mind and distract from the constant battle of his taking his daughter to the local athletics club that first
medical problems against the beast that is bowel night, would lead to 18 years and counting of coaching
cancer. James’ commitment to coaching me has not and the production of athletes on an international
stage.

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PEOPLE

HOW HERNE HILL’S
JUNIORS KEPT

THEIR TRAINING UP
IN LOCKDOWN

Lockdown has not been easy for many athletes and the lack of structured training has
brought its challenges. Anna Forster, Isobel Perry and Rosalie Laban relate how
James McDonald has coached them through it, and how his sessions
bring a highlight to their week.

Anna Forster Isobel Perry
I train for Herne Hill Harriers in James McDonald’s I guess people would think that lockdown would be

middle distance group. I started running competitively good for a runner – as that’s the only thing that we seem
around the age of nine. Five years on from my very first to be allowed to do. It is, however, nowhere near as good
race I can say that the sinking feeling in my stomach as the actual training and without having races to aim for
never really seems to cease. The nerves that come it can make it really challenging.
from competing in a race or big sporting event are not
something I think I can ever get used to, but it’s not When you’re training in lockdown you don’t have
necessarily a bad thing. Being nervous shows how the other people in the club to make you push harder
much you care about how you perform. running up the steep muddy hills of Streatham Common,
and most importantly you don’t have James (our coach)
The toughest things about training are how bad the there to encourage you and help you get faster. James
weather can be and how much endurance I have that has been great as he’s set out training schedules for us
day; training is always hard, as it should be, but these to follow on the usual training days, but it isn’t the same
aspects impact how well I train. as a real “James session” in person!

I love the sense of unity within the club and the huge One of my favourite things about the club is the people
number of people it brings together. We all support that you get to run with. I really enjoy running with all the
each other a great deal and whenever training gets friends I have made there, and I never want to leave this
really tough it’s always nice to be able to depend on group. The photo is of a few of us when we were a really
each other to push through. Herne Hill Harriers has strong U13 Girls team last year, with the A team winning
also connected me with people who I would never have the Surrey League and with the B team placing fourth –
had the opportunity to interact with; there are athletes ahead of some A teams from other clubs.
from all over and it allows me to train and socialise with
people from lots of different schools. My favourite training sessions are when we go to
Camber Sands which James has been doing for years
In the future, if I could run in any event, I would run to help build stamina during the early part of winter. It’s
in something along the lines of a Tough Mudder – they a really early start as the coach leaves around 6am, but
always look really challenging and fun! it’s worth it when we get there as we run up and down

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PEOPLE

the dunes and manage to fit in some piggyback races at on the beach and attack the killer sand dunes. James
the end. never forgets to set ‘the big dipper’ as a tough climb
within the session - getting up at 5am in the morning on
My favourite races are the longer road races as I am a Sunday to be on time for the coach is the easiest part
more suited to the stamina part of running. I also like the of the trip.
cross-country relays, especially when I am not first leg,
so I don’t have the added nerves of the start line. In 2020, an extended track season, only possible due
Rosalie Laban to the efforts of the athletic clubs, allowed many of us
to compete and get PBs. However, the cross-country
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays we’re knee season only permitted us one race. Social distancing,
deep in mud on Streatham Common. James is COVID health forms and staggered starts in groups of
extending the session by another lap and usually by then 10 made the Lloyd Park cross-country unforgettable. Of
the high-viz-athletes are drenched in rain. This is what course, it was as muddy as it could be.
Cross Country season looks like.
The sense of community within James’ group is
Even throughout lockdown, when we can only train what has got many of us through lockdown, and still
alone or in pairs, James’ detailed text messages explain continues to do so. This sense of community and group
and motivate us to carry out the sessions. However, effort is why Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays are so
one of the things I miss the most are the group trips to special.
Camber Sands, where we run kilometre after kilometre

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COLUMN

My other sport is / was

Badminton and
Ultimate Frisbee

As if smashing PB’s on the track wasn’t enough, James Stocker hasn’t always been on
the middle distance scene. Travelling all around the UK and representing his country,

he played Badminton and Ultimate Frisbee for many years before
joining Herne Hill Harriers.

Imust have tried almost every mainstream sport preference was men’s doubles. If you have ever seen
growing up, but my first memory was cross country a professional men’s double match, you will know the
running at Trent Park running club in North London speed and power it involves. Not commonly known, but
when I was around four or five. My Dad set up the kids badminton is one of the fastest sports in the world with
running club and ever since then I have always had a the record smash being 264mph - a good quiz question.
love for Athletics. As a kid, I loved running fast which My favourite experience playing with Dorset was the
was great at school sports days and as a member of National inter-county tournament in Nottingham. With
sports teams. every county present, the standard was incredible and
it was great to play against some of the best in the
For most of my youth, I played football, alternating country. But without a shadow of a doubt, my favourite
other sports on the side. At 15, uninspired by football badminton memory was the first time I beat my Dad. He
I sought out my local badminton club and instantly always told me that he would never let me win. He was
fell in love. Both my parents played when they were gutted.
younger, and my Dad still claimed he was ‘world class’.
After a couple of months of playing, I tried out for At University, I wanted to see if I could find something
Dorset County with no real hope of getting through. even better than badminton, before you say it, not
Unbelievably, somehow, I did, and it was the proudest goodminton (sorry, terrible I know…) I had previously
moment of my life so far. For the next three years I was heard of Ultimate Frisbee, and always thought it
addicted. I played eight times a week and travelled looked like a bit of fun. For those of you that don’t
across the UK for tournaments and training camps. know, Ultimate Frisbee is an American sport that is
County level was intense – training consisted of strength mainly started at university age (although it’s slowly
and conditioning, agility work (a lot of skipping and tuck being introduced into the school PE curriculum) and
jumps), repetitions and finessing the same shot. My is very similar to other team invasion sports. Played

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indoors, outdoors and on the beach, you pass the disc COLUMN
between players like netball and catch it in the endzone
like American football. It has a fairly bad reputation 15
as frisbee is most commonly associated with playing
in the park, but it involves huge skill and physicality.
It’s now played worldwide at professional level and in
2015 it was recognised by the International Olympic
Committee. Hopefully it will be in the Olympics soon.
Search YouTube for ‘Ultimate Frisbee highlights’ and I
can guarantee you’ll be surprised. At university I played
four times a week with weekend tournaments every
other weekend. Again, I was hooked. I had missed the
team camaraderie that I had in football and I loved
learning new skills. I was able to use my speed and
build up my endurance as the pitches are 100m long
and games can go on for 90 minutes. Over the next
couple of years, I played for Devon and set up a new
team with friends while competitive badminton took a
back seat. I trialled for Great Britain U24’s in the mixed
division. The trails were terrifying. I was up against
people who were stronger physically and technically
than me, but I knew it might be my only opportunity
to represent my country in sport, which has always
been a life-long dream. Out of 120 trialists, I got onto
the training squad of 30. A few weeks later I got my
GB jersey and I cried. It trumped getting into county
badminton by a country mile. Over the next half a year
I was coached by some of the best coaches and played
against the top teams in Europe. Unfortunately, I didn’t
make it to the world championships in Australia, but
I learnt a huge amount that I took back to university
where I was head coach in my final year. If you ever
fancy a game of badminton or a throw around on the
common give me a shout.

I moved to London after finishing university, looking
to try out another new sport. Having always wanted
to get back into Athletics and knowing the quality of
clubs, it was perfect timing. Luckily, I met Erica, now my
fiancée, at work and she lives around the corner from
Tooting Bec track. Now I am coached by the legend
Steve Knight and, despite injuries and Covid-19, I have
managed to get PB’s of 2:01:19 over 800m and 52:25
in the 400m. I’m still early into my running career and
have lots to learn. I can’t wait to see where my legs will
take me.

PEOPLE

How to keep
throwing -

coaching during lockdown

Anthony Soalla-Bell is one of Herne Hill Harriers leading throws coaches,
here he writes about how he kept his athletes going during lockdown

Looking back, the 2020 season had started very they all ‘happily’ completed. Fortunately for him, Alex
well for my athletes. They had all been consistently has his own Shot, so he was able to go, with his Dad,
attending training, and were making very good to his local park and throw. Although this is not ideal, a
progress in all its aspects, such as strength and speed, bit dangerous, and probably not allowed, but what else
but more importantly their throwing techniques. could he do?

Alie, Alex, and Kai competed in the ‘Surrey Indoor As at the start of Lockdown, people of different
Championships’ and came away with Personal Bests, households were not allowed to mix, and therefore I
and medals. Victoria won the ‘South of England Indoor could not be with them. So in order to keep an eye on
Championships’, with a Personal Best performance. his technique, I asked Alex’s Dad to film Alex throwing,
Alex came third in the ‘England Athletics Indoor and to then send them to me. This he did, and I was
Championships’, and Dante threw a PB on his way to able to keep an eye on what Alex was doing, and give
winning the National Pentathlon title. him feedback and guidance on things to focus on. Here
is an example of the feedback:
So things were well poised for the forthcoming
summer season, with all of the throwers looking likely Video Two = GREAT THROW! – You were right to not
to gain selection for the ‘London Schools’ team, and do a full turn (throw) as throwing, gliding / spinning, on
then to compete at the ‘English Schools Track & Field the dirt / grass is difficult and dangerous. That being
Championships’. said, you executed the throw very well! Your timing from
the back into the middle is very good, and so too is your
However, Corona put a freeze on all of those plans. next turn and the timing of the release. (One thing to
With the track closing in late March, there was no improve is the left arm. If you watch carefully you drop
training for anyone. Runners (short distance and long it as you rotate, and it ends up low down by your waist.
distance) were able to go to a park and run or run on Try and hold it up at head / shoulder height for longer).
the roads, however, what was a field eventer supposed However, you got it up and out of the way very well
to do? Jumpers could focus on their running, but what before you released the shot.
about the throwers?
Video Three = GREAT THROW! – The left arm is in a
Well my solution was: Circuit Training, Circuit Training, better position. You land in a very good ‘Power Position’
and more Circuit Training, with added Press Ups. Which

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‘Corona put a freeze on all PEOPLE
of those plans’

(standing throw). Your legs are bent, and your left arm Victoria returned to training, and we trained twice a
is wrapped. Like the throw before your timing into the week as we normally do. Shortly after restarting training
middle is very good, and so too is your next turn and Alex had his first competition, and threw 12.16m, which
the timing of the release. KEEP IT UP! I felt all things considered, was a good distance.

In order to give a focus to ‘Lockdown Training’, and However, Alex was keen to do more competitions,
to raise some money for the NHS, Paul Wilson, coach two of which were held at Tooting Bec. In these
to Scott Lincoln, the UK number one male Shot Putter, competitions he produced three amazing Personal
organised a series of events called “Valhalla Virtual Bests, 13.46m, 14.20m, and 14.62m! He is now
Throws Competition”. Here on a set date, people ranked 2nd in the country.
from all over the country, and many from overseas,
competed independently, filmed their performances, Victoria also threw at the last competition. In what was
and sent in their results. The results were then her second ever competition, and threw a Personal Best
compiled (by age group), and then published. Alex of 12.19m. A performance which ranked her 8th in the
competed in one of the competitions. country. Where would she be ranked if she was able to
train during lockdown? Where would she be ranked if
Although I was in communication with Alex, nothing there was no lockdown?
beats seeing your athlete throw and giving them
immediate feedback. Fortunately I found a small Sadly we returned to lockdown, and the momentum
sportsground in Mitcham where it was possible for Alex we had built up came to another stop. I sincerely hope
to throw, and for me to observe. So we arranged to that as we fully return to ‘normal’, we pick up where we
meet there. left off, and the athletes can move towards achieving
their hopes and dreams.
Once Tooting Bec Track reopened, Alie, Alex, and
Alex on his way to throwing a PB!

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Training
During
Lockdown

My name is Alexander Abebrese. I am an Under 15 Shot Putter. The coronavirus has
been devastating. Restaurants, schools and even TRACKS were closed.

At the beginning of lockdown I was reluctant
to train, but after weeks of seeing my older
brother, Ignatius, one of the top 10 Triple and
Long Jumpers in the UK, getting his jacket and shoes
on to go to the park with my Dad, I was inspired to do
the same. Within the next month my coach, Anthony
Soalla-Bell, told me of a small ground in Mitcham where
we could train. And so we did.

After a few weeks of that, my Dad told me that
Tooting Bec Track would be reopening. Immediately,
after hearing this, I contacted Anthony and we arranged
to train on Tuesdays and Thursdays like we would
normally do. A few weeks after restarting training I had
my first competition of the year. I threw 12.16m, which
was a good distance, but I knew I had much more in
me.

After that competition I had three more, two of which
were at Tooting Bec. In these competitions I produced
three big personal bests: 13.46m, 14.20m, and
14.62m, which placed me 2nd in the entire UK.

Despite the setbacks 2020 has thrown at me, I still
pushed forward, and have really enjoyed my first year
as an Under 15. I am now currently training extremely
hard to be in the best shape to attack 2021 with a
bang.

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THE
ATHLETIC

LIFE

From the track to the jungle, long time member of Herne Hill, Giuseppe Minetti
tells of his career as an athlete and the outstanding things you can achieve
with some hard work and determination.

Ihave been a member of Herne Hill since 1992, I didn’t break my PB’s set as a junior (10:08 for the
having started my sprinting life at Belgrave in 1980, at 100m and 21:07 for the 200m), I was a dedicated
the age of 11. I had been inspired to take up sprinting HHH club athlete, travelling across the South East
after seeing Pietro Mannea win the 200m in the 1980 of England with my teammates, competing at every
Moscow Olympics. I vividly remember writing his world opportunity and thoroughly loving every minute of it. My
record of 19:72 on my wall in black pen. I think my friends all thought I was bonkers for never staying to the
mum gave me some slack because he was Italian! end of a party, or night out because I had to be at the
Southern League meeting the next day.
My time at Belgrave was amazing, and because I
was the top youth in the squad, I had the opportunity In 1998 I decided to give sprinting a break and I
to train with John Regis. He went on to win the World started a new challenge - to compete in the world’s
and European indoor champs, as well as competing in longest adventure race called the Eco Challenge. I was
the 1988 Olympics. In 1995 I was invited to run in the invited to be part of a team that was to embark on a
International Friendship games at Crystal Palace, where 500km kayaking, running, cycling, climbing, jungle-
I won the 200m in 22:45 at the age of 16. trekking 10 day, non-stop race across Borneo and the
South China Sea. To say that training for Eco Challenge
I was lucky enough to meet Byron Gray of Herne Hill was a tad different from sprinting is the understatement
in 1992 - who was a world record holder and multi of the year, but doing a different sporting skill everyday
medal winning masters athlete – and from day one we of the week, for 10 months certainly made a change
had a perfect understanding of each other’s strengths from seeing Battersea Park track day-after-day. To
and weaknesses - ie - he knew I was obsessed with go from 6x200m with a 90 second rest to 100km
sprinting and I knew he would be there for me three mountain bike rides, overnight, in the Welsh hills,
times per week, three hours per session month-in, carrying a 30lb pack was a challenge, I tell you.
month-out. He also convinced me to move to Herne
Hill and here I am today. A truly inspirational man and I In 2000 I competed in the 500km Eco Challenge,
miss him a lot. and in 2001 I did the 600km Southern Traverse race
in New Zealand, in 2002 the 1000km Raid Galoises in
Byron was my coach for eight years and even though

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Vietnam and in 2003 the 300km Arctic Team Challenge had had over the years and spent the next three years
in Greenland, across the arctic circle. getting strong, eating clean and getting in shape. In
2012, the London Olympics really fired me up and with
In those years of transitioning from sprints to only a few months of preparation, I decided to throw
1000km’s, I met a lot of fantastic coaches, sports myself into the deep end and enter the British Masters
scientists and nutritionists and even though I was not Athletics Championships, where without anything
the best endurance athlete, I also wasn’t the worst. All it snapping I managed to run 12:52 in the 100m. In the
took to make the change was self-education, Oh, and a next few years I began to realise that the masters scene
stubbornness to never stop. Man, I am stubborn. was huge, here in the UK and around the world. I knew
this is where I wanted to be and I once again immersed
During my endurance training and racing years, I myself into training, as well as running my business,
had a great idea to open a gym that was purely based getting married and having two kids.
on science and evidence based coaching. When I
opened in 2003, I was the only gym in the UK that had Since my comeback as a master, I have been
a gas analyser – which is an extremely techy bit of kit fortunate to avoid serious injuries and have always
that measures metabolic rates, anaerobic threshold, listened to my body, allowing it to dictate what I should
Vo2 max and kcal consumed per minute of exercise. do, and how hard I should do it.
I took coaching courses, read everything available
and harassed the best coaches in the UK, just to gain In 2015 I entered the World Masters Championships’
the little bit of extra knowledge that could make the in Lyon, France and was blown away at how slick the
difference when passing the information onto one of my event was. Over 8,000 athletes aged 35 and over,
clients. coming together from 42 countries to compete in track
and field. It really is something special to wear your
In 2006, whilst sitting at my desk, I came across the national kit and during my 100m and 200m races, the
HHH website and saw that there was an open Masters stands were packed, adding to the excitement. I was
race that very evening at Battersea Park. Well, I hadn’t pretty happy that I reached both finals and having run
sprinted for eight years but what could possibly go 11:50 and 23:20 at the age of 46, gave me confidence
wrong? I pulled my spikes out of the attic, grabbed to chase the rankings and medals.
some lycra and headed down to see if I still had what
it takes. Uhm, the answer was no! Two steps out of the In the last few years I have been extremely lucky to
blocks in the 200m I snapped my Achilles and that as have beaten a world record (M45 4x200 Relay), win 10
they say, was that. I went back to the drawing board county gold medals, 8 national titles and in 2019 at the
(after 3 years of rehab) and analysed all the issues I age of 50, I reached my lifelong goal of an international
gold when I won the 200m in the European Masters
Championships in Venice, Italy.

I am very passionate about Masters Athletics and
I am currently on the executive committees of both
the British Masters Athletics Federation (BMAF) and
Vets AC (the oldest masters club in the world). I have
recently launched an event planning team and will be
organising masters events throughout the year, with the
hope of raising athletics awareness for the over 35’s.

The common thread throughout all of this is the
following: Sport and competition get under your skin
and the only way to tame it is to always believe you
have tried your best. There has never been a substitute
for hard work and perseverance, and I can’t think of
a better mantra to install into the next generation of
athletes.

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EXCLUSIVE:

Christian Malcolm, Head Coach
of the British Athletics Olympic
Programme talks to Red & Black

Keith Newton puts the questions to European, World and Olympic
sprinter Christian Malcolm

Christian Malcolm will be well known to many of my two best mates! I later found out it was the Gwent
our readers.  After completing the double at the Open Championships. I’d never done athletics before,
World Junior Championships in 1998, he went on but I won the 80m, 80m hurdles and the long jump.
to achieve a range of medals at senior championships, Were you from the outset aware of your potential as a
European, Commonwealth and World, and contested sprinter or did you try other events?  
four Olympics.  His lifetime bests were 10.11 and 20.08
for 100m and 200m respectively.  Since retiring from I knew from about the age of three I was a fast mover.
competitive athletics, Christian was appointed technical I was racing up and down! They tried to get me to try
lead for the GB sprint relays until 2019, guiding our lots of other events at the club, but I wasn’t interested
men’s and women’s teams to gold and silver respectively and didn’t enjoy them.
at the World Athletics Championships, and after being How important were Cardiff AC to your development as
appointed to Head of Performance and Coaching in an athlete?
Australia, has from September 2020 been appointed to
the role of Head Coach of the British Athletics Olympic My first club was Newport Harriers as I didn’t join
Programme.  In this interview, we hear about Christian’s Cardiff until 17, but the factor that was most important
journey as a competitive athlete, and his views on to my development was first making contact with Jock
coaching and the role it plays in our sport.   Anderson who was coaching at Newport.
What motivated you to get involved in athletics and at How early in your athletics journey were you coached,
what age? and how important was coaching to your transition into
senior athletics?
A few things motivated me. My cousin Kevin was a
sprinter, and I’d always loved watching the Olympic Jock coached me from the age of 13-26 and he was
Games. But the main moment was when I was 11 years a key part of my life on and off the track. He was a
old a schoolteacher of mine who had been on at me father figure to me all my life. I wasn’t actually enjoying
for ages to try athletics took me to the track and I won my athletics that much, but I rode my bike to the track
everything I entered. She’d been trying to get me there one day and saw my cousin training there on the back
for a few weeks. She bribed me into going by also taking straight and he was being coached by Jock. Jock
basically said, ‘if you think you’re that quick then race
here’ and I raced against his kids. I didn’t know this at

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© British Athletics / Getty

© British Athletics / Getty

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‘Jock played a massive role. If it wasn’t for him,
I doubt I would have even been an athlete. But

all of my coaches have played a huge part.’

the time, but Jock turned to Kevin and said ‘He’s quick, How would you define the scope of your new role?
isn’t he? Tell him to come back next week’ but to my It’s about helping and supporting the athletes and their
face he said: ‘if you think you’re that big then come train
with the big boys then, come Tuesday then!’ and it went coaches, helping make sure they have things in place,
on from there. talking through what they need, working out how best
Overall, what role would you say coaches have played in to support with things like training camps. A lot of what
helping you to achieve the success that you did? I’m doing day to day now is dealing with Covid as it is
affecting how, where and when they train, so that has
Jock played a massive role. If it wasn’t for him, I changed the scope but ultimately, I am there to support
doubt I would have even been an athlete. But all of my and work with or in some cases, not to change or try get
coaches have played a huge part. too involved if what they are doing is working already.
What was your greatest achievement as an athlete? From your assessment so far, do you believe that the
coaching structure in the UK is about right, or are there
I’ve been asked this question so many times and I changes you’d like to see introduced?
wouldn’t want to specify one event in particular. The
World Juniors was obviously very special as I was young There has been a review and I know Jo (Coates) sees
and it was exciting. But winning European Indoors investment in coaching a big part of what UK Athletics
was obviously big as well as the medals I won at is doing moving forward. From my experience I would
Commonwealth and European level. like all levels of coaches to have the chance to be able to
Since retiring from competitive athletics you have develop and progress and improve and upskill.
undertaken a number of officer and coaching roles, Do you believe there are greater opportunities to tap
including your key role in the outstanding sprint relay into the knowledge of former athletes and coaches, to
achievements at the World Championships.  Tell us help drive improvements in performance?
more about your journey since retiring from competitive
athletics?   Yes 100%. Not all ex-athletes can become coaches.
Athletes have to be almost ‘selfish’ whereas coaches
It has been tough and challenging. I, like a number of need to be completely ‘selfless’. However, people who’ve
athletes do, felt like I had lost my identity. I threw myself competed at the top level will always have input of value.
into a lot of different things, coaching obviously, working Finally, what would your message be to all of our
with the BBC, my academy, being ambassador to athletes, officials and coaches for 2021?
various companies, working on various business ideas.
But if I summarise it, I did a lot of different things but it 2020 has been a tough year. I know it but hopefully
was the coaching that ended up sticking with me. we can turn a page. I wish you all the best – stick in
Having undertaken the role of Head of Performance and there – work hard and show resilience. I know it seems
Coaching at Athletics Australia, you were appointed like there is not much light at the end of the tunnel but
as Head Coach at British Athletics in September 2020.  stick in there and you will come out of this year stronger
for what you have dealt with.

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How to run and
still have a life
at university

Studying, socialising and COVID-19 sound like a complex combination for training.
Anyone could be forgiven for pressing pause, but Ella Newton tells us how her
training at university has gone from strength to strength.

Like most runners, learning to adapt to the of group training sessions and races, I have found that I
continuous changes of the COVID-19 pandemic am less inclined to compare myself to others and obsess
has been an extremely challenging time. It is over the pace that I am running at.
a frustrating period in that it has brought much
uncertainty about the future and learning how to cope Returning to university with the likelihood of a second
with something that no one has experienced before. wave happening in the autumn, was a big concern for
With the cancellation of races and training for 2020, we me, as I was continuing to build up my training and
are forced to accept that this is the new reality with no potentially targeting some time trails in the future. At
real focus or race goals on the horizon. On the upside, home, I have the benefit of living with a sporty family,
it has still been possible to go out for runs and training with my dad and sister training consistently over the
sessions each day, with many of us finding that we lockdown period, and thus, motivating me to adopt a
have more time than ever on our hands to dedicate to similar approach. When I am at university, the motivation
running, strength and conditioning, cross-training etc. comes completely down to myself and how much I am
willing to put in. During my first year of university, I did
In many senses, I believe that living through a time most of my training sessions at Loughborough University.
like this has allowed athletes, like myself, to value the This was inevitably not going to be the case this year
importance of having a sport in your life. Running has due to COVID restrictions and it being my final year, so
helped me to stay mentally sane during this period and the prospect of learning to adapt to future changes was
it is something that I would struggle without. Having unsettling. However, I have always been good at finding
previously lost a lot of motivation from recurrent injuries self-motivation to stick with a training plan.
and a lack of focus, the pandemic has encouraged me
to put my own progress to the forefront of my mind and When I was back in Nottingham, I reached out to the
to regain previous fitness levels. Without the pressures athletics group and found that most people were up
for going out on runs. During the start of the first term,

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‘I incorporated a
‘Tempo Tuesday’
into my schedule’

I was only doing four runs per week but equally it was it beforehand and agreed there was no pressure or
encouraging that I was able to settle into a consistent expectation to do well, I should just try to do my best.
pattern of training. As the weeks went by, I found that I Going in with no expectation worked in my favour as
had more people of a similar level to run with, combined I surprised myself with the level that I was at. Yes, I
with the social element that comes with running with slowed a lot on the uphill section, but it was a turning
others. Unfortunately, Nottingham quickly became a tier point for me; I felt even more determined to get fitter.
3 area, restricting the possibility to run with more than
one person outside. It was not, in fact, an ideal situation From that point on, each week, I incorporated a
but I was determined to step up my running a little ‘Tempo Tuesday’ into my schedule and an additional
further. shorter effort on Saturdays. This meant that I was able to
stimulate some quicker running, in the hope that I would
I pushed myself into running a 5k time trial over a have a greater change in pace. And I did, finding that
very challenging course. One of the guys and I decided my easy runs felt slightly easier and that I could keep
to run it together as we were both at a similar level. going for longer. Overall, I would argue that COVID-19
The first section of the route involved climbing up has allowed me to appreciate running even more, it’s
several hills, followed by a nice downhill section and made me focus more precisely on my own running
finishing on a grass field. It was two big loops in total, progress, and it has made me aware of the importance
which felt tough due to the steep elevations involved of having it during such a challenging time. It could
and the change in surfaces. My dad and I spoke about actually be a good thing in the long run.

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GLORIOUS
MUD

We all like having events in our dairy to look forward to, especially the ones that involve
putting on our trainers. Jack Dickenson mourns the loss of this structure and predictability

during lockdown and how the mud of cross-country is what keeps him going.

Imiss the smell of mud. How sad is that? I can pinpoint costume? October 31st, obviously. Library bursting with
the precise smell: mud that only occurs in the depths sleep deprived freshers cramming? End of January every
of winter, when the ground has been churned up year, without fail.
by trampling feet. It’s the smell of PE changing rooms,
mud-infused socks, football boots caked in the stuff. It’s Running fits this same pattern. The second
also frequently found on Saturday afternoons in random Wednesday of October will find me at Parliament Hill,
fields in Surrey; post cross country race, you can almost shepherding a bunch of new recruits to the first LUCA
taste it. Ever since I moved to London and started (London Universities) cross country (XC) race of the
racing XC regularly this smell has permeated my winter season, always a hint of summer warmth lingering in the
months, as most weekends I throw myself through fields air as newbies rapidly discover that the famous hill is
of muck in the name of ‘fun’. quite steep, actually. As temperatures plummet and rain
fills the sky, the Surrey League steps in; at no point are
Not this winter, though. Add it to the list of the many you as acutely aware of where, when and why you are,
things we are mourning this year, stuff we didn’t even than when thundering through Wimbledon Common in
know we liked until it’s gone. My theory as to why this a stampeding melee of club runners, yelled on by Geoff
winter has sucked so spectacularly has to do with, Jerwood’s dulcet tones. This weekend would have seen
amongst many things, the loss of defined markers 2,000 students descend on some poor city for the day
of time. Normally, as a uni student, my autumn and and night of BUCS (British Universities) XC and I can’t
winter follow a predetermined timetable, beginning help but think how good last year’s was.
with postgraduate freshers at the end of August and
encompassing the multitude of freshers events, various My point is that in the absence of these events, there
SU nights involving questionable fancy dress and things is nothing to distinguish weekdays and weekends,
that just happen at the same time every year. When October and January, Track Tuesday from, well, every
you find yourself walking through St George’s Hospital other day. Particularly in London, the only way of telling
wearing only a bedsheet toga, it must be the end of the difference is that it gets dark at a slightly different
September. Frantically cobbled together Halloween time and the rain is ever so slightly warmer. In my year
out of med school I am confined to perpetual essay

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writing and online seminars, so I don’t even have the element of organisation that we are sorely lacking.
Monday-Friday 9-5 to delineate my days. I wonder if the By doing the same thing at the same time, we claw
psychological effect on the population of this year will a foothold in the drab monotony that this winter has
be similar to that form of torture of keeping people in a become. I may not have Geoff’s whistle, but I know that
windowless room with no clock - although isolation isn’t if I’m suffering through an interval session in the dark
that bad yet! and cold, it’s probably Tuesday.

It’s interesting to see on Strava that even without I don’t really have a conclusion to draw here. I would
club training sessions, and indeed with no prospect of say though that I find myself in a much better mood if
races any time soon, the majority of people I follow are I have done a session, or a long run, like I would have
sticking to a pretty rigid schedule. In general, people done BC (before covid). By sticking to that structure I
do a session on Tuesdays and Thursdays, might do a can kid myself that all is right in the world, as long as I
virtual race or time trial on a Saturday, and of course get those 13 miles in on a Sunday. Perhaps going back
Sunday is for the quasi-religious Long Run. My armchair to the rhythm of previous winters is unrealistic; perhaps
psychology take would be that with so much structure we will resent it after so long in limbo. When I smell that
and routine gone from our lives, running provides an mud again though, I will know where I am.

29

PEOPLE

The Ultra
Scene

We all look for challenges in our running, but Zoe Tomkins took it to another level by running
an ultra in aid of Namaste Wings to Fly, a Charitable Society in Kerala, India which
provides distance support in health and education to children.

“Silly idea or complete lunacy?” That was the this point slight doubt began to creep in that I might not
question that stuck out at me in Geoff’s survive the whole 50km if I was struggling to run half the
response to my email. I had never run further distance with only four weeks to go. But I squashed this
than 15km or even a half marathon and I was thinking thought as I knew that if I put my mind to it I’d complete
about running an ultra in four months, was I crazy? The the distance...somehow. The following week I completed
experienced runners reading this would say yes (even my longest run ever- 18 miles in 2:15:00. I was
those who don’t run would probably agree). But this delighted with this until it dawned on me that I would still
was exactly the reason why I wanted to do it. In my eyes have a half marathon ahead of me to complete the full
the more outlandish the challenge the better. If I did 50km - oh boy what had I got myself into?
something that was particularly difficult, and in my eyes
unenjoyable, it would demonstrate how much I believed The sudden, tragic passing of my dad meant that this
in the charity and hopefully maximise the amount of was my last training run. In the depths of grief I knew
money I could raise. Anyone that knows me knows that I had to do it. I had a glimpse of the pain that these
I don’t run anything further than 1500m quietly, so this children and families were experiencing, this made
was going to be quite the challenge. the run even more meaningful. Every single child had
brought me such extraordinary inspiration, I wanted to
Throughout my running career, if you can even complete it for them, their families and of course my
call it that, I’d only ever run 20-30 miles a week so I dad. On the 20th September, my dad’s birthday, I set
knew I had a lot of work to do. Not knowing where to off. It was over three weeks since my last run and I knew
start, Geoff advised me to gradually increase my long I was going to need a helping hand from him. I began
runs, warm ups before sessions and cool downs after in Greenwich and followed the river Thames past Tower
which upped my mileage. I also added strength and Bridge and along the embankment towards Putney
conditioning to my weekly regime. After a few weeks I with my sister and a friend cycling with me. I reached
attempted my first half marathon and with just over a Putney Bridge, the halfway point, two hours later with
month to go I attempted the halfway mark of 25km and pain in muscles I didn’t even know existed. I walked
completed it in two hours which nearly killed me. At the planned 5/6km with a friend which helped ease the

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PEOPLE

pain. Once I hit 30km I was really starting to feel
it so was very relieved when I made it to Shadwell
and reached the marathon mark in 3 hours
48minutes. At this point I was questioning why I
had committed to run a further 8km. Every step
from then on was absolute agony but I made it
back to Greenwich in one piece. I had completed
50km in 4:36:05, raising roughly £2,300.

It’s fair to say my organised, meticulously
planned training schedule didn’t quite get me the
time for Tokyo 2021 but it’s brought opportunity
and relief for children who have endured
unimaginable hardship through the money that
was generously donated – I couldn’t have asked
for anything more.

This challenge showed me that you can achieve
anything if you put your mind to it, no matter
the circumstances. Dad, thank you for showing
me how to be strong, determined and resilient.
This was without a doubt fundamental in making
this challenge a success, helping those most in
need, oh and getting my lil butt home intact. I’m
eternally grateful.

In loving memory of Craig Tompkins.

31

LEARNING

Running
after having

a baby

It’s a struggle to juggle running and children at the best of times, but when your child is a
baby and you are in the midst of a global pandemic, that struggle is brought to a
whole other level. Stacey Ormerod explains how she handled things, and how
acceptance of the situation is the key to enjoyment.

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LEARNING

‘babies are great to use
for heavier glute bridge’

Throwback to this time last year, and having wanting an unexpected feed or leave me with a present
stopped running in early January I was excitedly to deal with. Standard.
looking forward to the birth of our baby girl and
getting back into some sort of shape. I’d spent hours I started out mostly on the spin bike and can recall
daydreaming about post birth life - spending time with one tough session – attempting short intervals whilst
family to introduce the newest member, long relaxed having to sing and shake a rattle at Arwen to keep her
coffee stops with friends, and having plenty of time off to distracted. If you want a lung bursting workout, I’d highly
take Arwen to baby groups. recommend trying this. In response to the anxious
situation we were all living through I attempted a running
Fast forward to 24th March and after what felt like comeback far too soon, running with a wobbly belly and
forever, Arwen was born into the world at the start of a feeling like an 8 minute mile was a sprint, and wound
global pandemic. It seemed just typical seeing as we’d up with every old injury I’ve ever had coming back with
waited a while to start a family. I’d stopped watching the a vengeance. I should have seen that one coming.
news and social media approaching our due date and With gyms closed and not wanting to take any risks, we
we were still at a time when things didn’t seem that bad bought an elliptical machine and I spent most of the
in the UK. Cue complete shock post birth when I found first two lockdowns using this for training. It seemed
out we were in full lockdown, whilst also dealing with the like a great idea at the time to use the conservatory as
ramifications of a difficult labour. Suddenly the euphoria a makeshift home gym…..this works beautifully unless
started to wane when I was left with a tiny baby, anxious you attempt any kind of session on a hot day after 9am.
and alone after all visitors were banned from entering It felt like I was working out in a sauna - who needs a
the wards the day after the birth. This didn’t quite factor spa when you’ve got this at home? - but it was certainly
into the plan. better than nothing.

After a week in hospital we finally returned home After the third attempt I am now finally back doing
reunited as a family of three. Trying not to dwell on the some running - hurrah!, with family strength sessions
harsh reality of the covid situation, we threw ourselves and Pilates becoming the new norm (babies are great
into a routine of feeding, walks, and the odd sleep. to use for heavier glute bridges), and fitting in micro
Our first family walk entailed an 800m loop around the sessions when I can. The quickest way to make Arwen
block and although it felt like my body had been under laugh is to squat or do press-ups, this might be a sign
a steam roller, I set myself a plan to increase the length my technique isn’t quite where it needs to be.
of the walk each day plus lounge laps every evening
to keep moving (no this isn’t on Strava). When you live Buggy running has been a pleasant discovery even if
at the top of a long hill and are recovering from major I haven’t quite got the hang of swerving around people
surgery, pushing a pram up it feels like a training effort, (note to self – don’t buggy run on bin day). We might
especially when you factor in the odd dash out of the attempt some buggy 5ks if I’m not yet fit enough to race
way of any fellow pedestrian. by the time things open up again.

The routine, in the loosest sense of the word, was As is the case for most runners, I love routine and
going fairly well, so a few weeks down the line it was a certain amount of predictability, so to accept that
time to up the ante. Surely at this point Arwen would be training has to be more ad hoc now, especially now I’m
feeding, napping and pooing at the same time of day back at work, and that life isn’t as we’d like it has taken
so it would be relatively easy to predict when I could some getting used to. Now I’ve accepted this, running
fit something in? Turns out babies are anything but is far more of a joy than it previously was and we just
predictable and I’d usually spend half the day in workout hope to be able to see some of you later this year
gear, or I’d just be getting going when she’d wake up before my red and black club vest gathers too much
dust.

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COLUMN Is there anything better after a run
than tea and cake? Or even before a
RUNCH run? The only difficult decision is what
cake to have. Well Monika Gajek

and Becky Maitland have an
answer for you with their delicious
sounding and energising bakes.

Superhero Muffins 1 teaspoon baking soda
Monika Gajek 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
3 eggs, beaten
Superhero muffins are one of my fave go-to 1 cup grated courgette (about 1courgette)
snacks and are a delicious healthy twist on 1 cup grated carrot (about 2 carrots)
the typical muffin. I find they are perfect either 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
before or after a long Sunday run or a great as 1/2 cup maple syrup
an on-the go snack whilst out for long hikes and 1 teaspoon vanilla
walks - especially during the pandemic. They are paper muffin cups
satisfyingly sweet and nourishing with a balance
of carrot and winter spices, including cinnamon Method:
and nutmeg. As Shalane Flanagan highlighted xxx
in her Run Fast Eat Slow recipe book, don’t
fear butter - it is filled with healthy fats, as well Recipe taken from Shalane Flanagans, Run Fast
vitamin A, D, E, & K to help transport nutrients Eat Slow.
around your hardworking body.
Top tip: If you do want to use almond flour and
What I love about this recipe is that you can don’t have any - a quick tip is to throw a few
get a little experimental with the ingredients. handfuls of almonds into a blender / nutribullet
I swapped the walnuts for chia seeds, and and blitz for a few minutes… and voila!
switched the almond meal for oat flour.
A great tip is to freeze a batch of these, and after
a short defrost in the microwave they are good to
go...anytime.

Give them a go - there is no better combination
after a cold winter Sunday run than one of these
with that cup of tea you were thinking about for
the whole run.

Ingredients:
2 cups almond flour
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (use gluten-free if
sensitive)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or swap for another
nut)
1/2 cup currants or raisins, optional
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

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Spicy ginger and coconut bars Method:
Becky Maitland 1. P lace the dates and raisins in the bowl of a

These are a delicious mix between the yummy mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat
sugary hit you want but the gingery spicy kick slowly to form a course paste
you need to get you out the door for a run. They 2. Add the remaining ingredients and slowly mix
are packed with all the energy you need for a together until a dry paste forms and all the
good session. ingredients are evenly incorporated. If the mix
is too dry, add more honey and if it is too wet,
Makes 16x50g bars add some more coconut. You should be able
to form the mix into balls without it sticking to
Ingredients: your hands.
250g Medjool dates 3. Line a 22 cm x 22 cm baking tray with
200g raisins greaseproof paper and spray with a little olive
75g whole almonds oil. Press the mix into the tray and place in the
250g walnuts fridge for 1.5 hours to firm up before slicing
75g desiccated coconut into 50 g bars. Store in an airtight container in
80g crystallised stem ginger, finely chopped the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
1 teaspoon dried ginger powder
A pinch of Himalayan salt
A pinch of freshly ground black pepper
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
A inch of dried turmeric

35

COLUMN

Smile for the
camera …
or not.

Running is not always the most elegant of sports and the camera can certainly testify
to that. Lara Langston managed to persuade some of us to reveal some of the
less flattering shots we all have hidden away.

Whilst some races are now back on the cards, Harrier’s finest race grimaces, smiles and pain faces.
lockdown gave us a chance to comb through We are excited to see what wonders the camera
the archives, reflect upon our finest (and our captures as we return to track, cross country and the
not so finest) achievements and reminisce about time road as we get back out there and pull on the Red and
spent in the red zone.  Black vests once again. 

 To mark this, here are a collection of Herne Hill

36

COLUMN

37

COLUMN HCTAWPOTSODSMI
LLCSASJTSSRWPR
PUZZLES Wordsearch EKOKCAISUEUKIR
AHACVICWNPEWOA
PLFLSUFKENUOCSE GJUEKOPIOLTWNH
LPWLQTGFRHLCHRI UMLRUDAMTRSOSI
IKITRNWXYFREAER EITNDRORYSHLHH
HCTAWPOTSODSMIE NNTUTLAWLLSTIS
LLCSASJTSSRWPRC BRYAJFEMNXOOPL
EKOKCAISUEUKIRO YGNINNURJZFDSO
AHACVICWNPEWOAV DISCUSHCAOCWOH
GJUEKOPIOLTWNHE VEQIEYFTRAININ
UMLRUDAMTRSOSIR
EITNDRORYSHLHHY CHAMPIONSHIPS
NNTUTLAWLLSTISE COACH
BRYAJFEMNXOOPLC CROSSCOUNTRY
YGNINNURJZFDSOA DISCUS
DISCUSHCAOCWOHR FARTLEK
VEQIEYFTRAINING HARRIERS
HURDLE
CHAMPIONSHIPS JAVELIN
COACH LEAGUE
CROSSCOUNTRY LOCKDOWN
DISCUS OLYMPICS
FARTLEK RACE
HARRIERS RECOVERY
HURDLE RUNNING
JAVELIN SHOTPUT
LEAGUE STOPWATCH
LOCKDOWN THROW
OLYMPICS TRACK
RACE TRAINERS
RECOVERY TRAINING
RUNNING
SHOTPUT
STOPWATCH
THROW
TRACK
TRAINERS
TRAINING

38

COLUMN

Neil Townsend (Moddy) Geoff Fisher
03.05.1963 – 13.03.2021 18.6.1929 – 27.12.2020

Neil was a multi-talented person who really only came to Elected to Herne Hill Harriers 21.11.1951
athletics by accident. Neil was a graduate in chemistry and Elected at a life member 23.10.1970
physics from Goldsmiths’ College University of London and
it was there that he filled a gap in the college team in the Geoff Fisher competed over road and cross country
hammer. Neil had only attended the University of London for around four years with the club and with hard
Inter-Collegiate Championships as a spectator and he was work made himself into a very useful member
pulled from the crowd into action at Motspur Park. Knowing of the clubs successful road and cross country
he could do better than his first attempts suggested and club squad in the 1950s. During this time he also
like so much else in his life he became accomplished represented the Civil Service, The University of
very quickly through dedication and practice. He joined London and Croydon & District AAA. He achieved
Herne Hill Harriers with a number of others from college 1, 2 and 3 miles times of 4.27.2, 9.22 and 14.38.2
including Piers Harold and Marc Flannery. He won the and was a member of the club’s Southern London
club championships and Wiltshire County Championships to Brighton team in 1954. The previous year he had
on multiple occasions and went on to throw the hammer in been joint winner of the Founders’ trophy which
excess of 47m. Neil was the ever-reliable ‘A string’ in the at that time was presented to the most improved
British League Team over a number of years. Neil seemed member. He was also part of the winning teams in
always to respond to the cries of ‘Come on Townsend’ the London cross country championships and the
spurred on by the memories of his PE teacher at school. Surrey road relay, as well as being in the scoring
Neil was known by most as ‘Moddy’ a nickname that he 12 at our South of Thames win in 1954. Increased
picked up in 1981 at university and it stuck for life. It was professional studies forced his early retirement
a passion for The Who and dressing in a parka that earned from active athletics but he then became a highly
him that moniker. It would be hard to find many people accomplished administrator in the sport. He was
with a more diverse range of talents and interests. He Hon Gen Secretary of the club for a five year term
evidently was a success at the sciences. He taught science culminating in becoming Club President in 1968-
for 30 years. He spoke German fluently and French well 69. For many years he handled the onerous task of
– although possibly with the Swindon accent he never lost. getting officials to our home matches as the officials’
He could sing and play 3 or 4 musical instruments including secretary. Geoff also found time to sit on Surrey,
the double base. Neil was accomplished playing in county Southern and South of the Thames committees
orchestras or more recently in a jazz band He could dance and play an important part in the administration
and eventually his love of salsa music took over from of the sport. He was President of the South of
athletics. Moddy went on to become a successful salsa DJ Thames between 1972 and 1974 and President of
in and around the clubs in London where his tidy footwork the Southern Counties Cross Country Association
in the hammer circle converted to moves on the dance floor. in 1977-78. He acted as a track referee and judge
Those moves also secured the love of his life – his wife Lee at international, area and county matches as well
whom he met through salsa. Neil never took himself too as regularly attending club matches both home
seriously in his athletics life and brought more to the Herne and away. Geoff moved to Guildford but would still
Hill Harriers team than just his hammer throwing. He was attend club meetings throughout the south taking
reliable, enthusiastic, funny and generous. Moddy was great interest in the club’s fortunes. He was always
always there for others. one of the first to enquire how our team looked that
day and was always interested in the fortunes of our
Neil’s health deteriorated very quickly in recent years and youngsters and how they were progressing. A kind
his vibrancy and zest of life diminished cruelly with advance and friendly man, Geoff was a superb ambassador
his illness. He leaves behind his wife Lee and two sons. for his sport and his club. 

39

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Idris Ojuriye
27.12.1984 – 4.1.2021

We were shocked to hear that Idris Ojuriye,
our popular and talented sprinter, sadly
passed away suddenly on Monday 4th
January after suffering a blood clot which led
to a heart attack. Idris had just turned 36

Idris was an invaluable member of our BAL
national league team for over fifteen years
competing over 100m and 200m and sprint
relays and was a regular competitor in
indoor and outdoor championships ranging
from the Surreys to National champs. His
PBs were 6.81 for 60m, 10.61 for 100m and
21.42 for 200m. He represented Surrey on
a number of occasions including competing
at the Inter Counties championships on four
years and won medals at the Surrey outdoor
and indoor championships being Surrey
champion on six separate occasions 60m
indoors U20 champion in 2002 100m senior
champion 2006, 2010 and 2016 and 200m
champion 2009 and 2010. It is rare for a
sprinter to have such a long span of success
which highlighted Idris’s commitment and
love of the sport

Idris was a popular, inspiring competitor and
team member who competed regularly for
the club throughout the leagues. He was
heavily involved in coaching in schools and
local South London tracks where he inspired
and encouraged many youngsters to start
athletics. He was always keen to pass on
advice and put on sessions for youngsters
when he wasn’t training himself or
competing. He shared in a lot of the success
that the clubs senior mens team enjoyed in
the last two decades when we established
ourselves as a strong National league team
gaining successive promotions right upto the
top division  

40

COLUMN

WORDS ON
THE RUN

Looking for something new to listen to on your run or after? Natasha Lodge reviews four
podcasts; two sport-focused exploring what motivates people to take part, and two
focused on the mentality of ‘achieving’, and how our minds are as strong,
if not infinitely stronger than our bodies.

Run Pod some seem casual and uncompetitive compared to
Hosted by Jenni others, hear how ‘a runner is a runner’, and how all have
caught the bug. Martin Pert, former Royal Air Force Red
Falconer, a radio and Arrow leader says “I can literally put my trainers on and
television presenter and walk out my front door and do it. For someone who is
marathon runner, there really busy, that is what I love about running. You can
is an almost desert just do it.”
island disc feel to this
podcast. Interviewees I always like to hear crazy running stories, even if
range from Aled Jones it is just to prove to my family and friends that my
and Amanda Holden running enthusiasm is not unique; Lord Sebastian
to Paula Radcliffe and Coe, while stuck in a traffic jam on a motorway got
Eilish McColgan. Each 40 minutes explores why they out of his taxi and ran in a suit all the way to the
run and what motivates them to get out of the door. It’s football game he was late to watch; Bryony Gordon
a good podcast to scroll through and find the names you famously ran a marathon in her underwear and Jo
know and like. Pavey, after having children, trained in her hallway
cupboard. Suddenly my running seems normal in
It explores people’s passion, the challenges they comparison.
have had while running and how it quickly becomes
an obsession in one form or another. While every I love the breadth of this podcast, it is a reminder
interviewee has their own reasons to run, and while that it is innately in us to be outside using our bodies.

41

COLUMN

But it is also a reminder that there is still a lot of stigma they do also help bring structure and focus to a day and
around sport, especially for women; Bella Mackie give a sense of achievement and motivation. Guests
started running in an alleyway in the dark in secret so no include Tom Daley, who gets up at 6am, watches the
one could see or judge her. I don’t believe that anyone news and then crotchets or knits for 40 minutes, “It
ever regrets going out for a run, but I think some of kind of became my way of being completely present”,
these episodes demonstrate that there is still a lot that and Tony Riddle a barefoot runner who gets up at
needs addressing to make sport more inclusive and less 5:30am does a 30 minute mobility sequence, 100
intimidating for people to start out. cycles of breath followed by an ice bath to “find that
moment of being”. You have to wait till the very end
If you don’t mind listening to something as you run, of the interview to hear each person’s power hour
and if you don’t need a beat to run to, this is a great which at times raises questions about what the rest of
podcast for a recovery or easy day. the interview is about. There can be some interview
Power Hour waffle, and unless you are particularly interested in the
interviewee, I have sometimes skipped almost to the
“Never stay up late end. However, curiosity and an interesting story often
to do something you gets the better of me and I have enjoyed most of the
wouldn’t wake up early episodes I have listened to whether I have heard of the
to do.” Power hour person or not.
discusses the number of Don’t Tell Me The Score
things you could achieve
if you get up just one Perhaps the most
hour earlier. Admittedly intense of all the
that one hour can mean podcasts here, Don’t
pretty early, but the host, Tell Me The Score
Adrienne Herbert, says she rises at a glorious 5:30am uses ‘sport to answer
every day while going to bed at 9:30pm. It’s not an life’s big questions’.
hour to be as productive as possible but more a chance Hosted by Simon
to do things that you think you never have time for. At Mundie, topics include
the start of the first lockdown, after discovering that I addiction, obsession,
actually needed time to wake up before I went to work, I self acceptance and
inadvertently put this theory into practice. I got up every diversity. At times I have found these episodes to be a
day at 6:30am to cycle, make coffee and have ‘me time’, little long but they examine and explore how sport can
and now thanks to this podcast, I also do things I think influence every aspect of our life from our perspective
I will do after work and am always inevitably too tired to on situations to our values and how honest we are.
do so.
Each of these episodes is very different from the last,
As someone who enjoys the feeling that I have done looking at obstacles in life and how sport can play a
something worthwhile in a day, one of the episodes I major role in them. Tatyana McFadden was born with
loved was ‘Six questions to answer before 6’ Spina bifida and was placed in a Russian orphanage for
the first six years of her life where she was given no way
This asks you to write down the following 6 questions to walk and got around on all fours before finally being
followed by your answer to each: adopted. She then began playing sport to strengthen
her muscles and is now a Paralympian. Tony Adams,
1. What is the energy that I want to bring to today? English football manager, however, admits that his first
2. Who can I help today? drug of choice, before turning to alcohol, was football,
3. Who can I learn from today? and Jonny Wilkinson, talks about how during injury he
4. W hat one thing can I do today that will take me was obsessed with trying to maintain and get back to
his previous level of fitness, not allowing his body to rest
closer to where I want to be one year from now?
5. What am I most looking forward to today?
6. What am I most grateful for today?
Whilst they may look like a sort of ‘wellness’ cliche,

42

COLUMN

as he was so concerned both by how he viewed himself succeeds in not falling into the trap of cliches and sob
and success and how others viewed him, a trap many of stories balancing the tone between humour and emotion
us fall into. and making it clear that hard times are hard times but
that we can make a choice to come back stronger than
Sport can be a drug of choice - an addiction, an before.
obsession, but it can also be an amazing way to express
ourselves and build focus and resilience into our lives. From the likes of author Sebastian Faulks (who doesn’t
Jos Buttler, England Cricketer, talks about exploring and believe that anything is a failure), actor and writer
staying in touch with a child-like enthusiasm for what Phoebe Waller-Bridge to politician Alistair Campbell,
you are doing. It’s easy to forget, when competing and singer Lily Allen and Olympic athlete Dame Kelly
training hard, that we do sport for the love of it. And we Holmes, these interviews are entertaining, inspiring
shouldn’t lose touch with that side of us that fell in love and sad but always full of nuggets of wisdom to take
with sport. When we remember that is when we more into the day…and usually promptly forget. There is a
often than not perform at our best. Buttler says that reassuring calmness to this podcast in hearing about
much of his success is down to the mentality and that the failures of well known people whose lives, that from
experience is a hugely valuable tool if you know how to afar look easy and smooth riding, have actually been full
use it well. of huge ups and downs. I have come away from many
episodes looking at a disappointment or struggle slightly
Billy Monger, a pro racing driver who lost both his differently.
legs in a motor race in 2017 aged just 17 used his
experience to change his mentality for life by focussing Kelly Holmes left school with no O-levels and then
on what makes him feel happy, free from the concern failed her first Physical Training Instructor selection in
on how others would judge him. It is easy to define the army but says that she ‘never gave up even through
ourselves by one sport - that is how everyone knows us - the hard times’, Phoebe Waller-Bridge wrote Flea Bag
and we are often too afraid to try anything new. Monger out of a failure to get any parts after leaving drama
says he is attempting challenges he would never have school. Whilst there she says everything was focused on
considered before his accident and that the event has acquiring young female parts in Shakespeare but this
taught him that he ‘doesn’t want to be that guy that only was something she never wanted so she set out to write
has one interest and doesn’t look outside that.’ parts that she felt more at home with.

This podcast is not a relaxed, easy listen but it Fearne Cotton found ‘success’ very early on in her life
certainly leaves you with things to think about and but never felt comfortable in herself until recently. She
demonstrates the power of sport and how integral it is in failed most of her GCSE’s, for a long time feeling huge
so many people’s lives. amounts of paranoia and inferiority when interviewing
How To Fail With people she viewed as far more successful than she was
Elizabeth Day and got engaged and broke it off while still in her 20’s.
She says that the pressure put on us by society to have
This podcast is our lives together by 30 and have a family led her to
not about sport, live her life by rigid plans which ended in despair and
but as athletics is isolation. She is now married with children, a podcast
full of ‘failures’ and (Happy Place) and numerous books from Speak your
disappointments it fits Truth to Yoga Babies.
rather well here. It is
hilarious and full of life The episodes on this podcast show that out of pain
lessons. Each episode and perceived failure can come creativity and the drive
sees a guest interviewed to do things differently. And that from this often springs
on their three biggest failures in life and how this has the unexpected. Because as we all know, the definition
shaped who they are today. The idea being that if we of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again
learn how to fail then we also learn how to succeed and expecting different results.  
better. The host, Elizabeth Day, a novelist and journalist,

43

If you want
to see

something
covered in
Red&Black
get writing
and send it

to us!

Herne Hill Olympian Jade Johnson
(centre) is joined by Eric Boateng,
south Londoner and former Team
GB Olympic basketball player, to
unveil the blue plaque to double
1920 Antwerp Olympic gold
medallist in the 800m and 1500m,
Albert Hill, on the Tooting home of
Faiza Rasheed, herself a volunteer
at the London 2012 Olympics.

Herne Hill Harriers sprinter Kristal Awuah claims a bronze medal in the final of the women’s
100m at the 2021 European Under 23 Championship in Tallinn, Estonia.

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