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Posts Tagged with "2009"

Kathrine Switzer: The Face of Women's Marathon Running

posted by rtsam on October 5, 2009, 5:15am

 

© 2008 The Runner's Tribe, all rights reserved.

Kathrine Switzer will always be best known as the woman who challenged the all-male tradition of the Boston Marathon and became the first woman to officially enter and run the event. Her entry created an uproar and worldwide notoriety when a race official tried to forcibly remove her from the competition.

Three decades later, the incident continues to capture the public imagination and is, in part, the reason Switzer has dedicated her multi-faceted career to creating opportunities and equal sport status for women.

That career has included creating programs in 27 countries for over 1 million women that led to the inclusion of the women's marathon as an official event in the Olympic Games, changing forever the face of sports, health and opportunities for women around the world.

The "Boston Incident" also inspired Kathrine to become a good athlete: She has run 35 marathons, won the 1974 New York City Marathon, and ran her personal best of 2:51.33 by finishing 2nd in the 1975 Boston Marathon. At the time, this was the 6th best women's marathon time in the world, and 3rd in the U.S.A

RunnersTribe: Kathrrine, thanks for you time. You recently launched a new book, a memoir titled 'Marathon Woman'. Can you give a run down on the guts of the book?

Kathrine Switzer : MARATHON WOMAN is my 3rd book; it is an autobiography, but told in the scope of the women's marathon and other women's sports history from about 1960-84. It is not really about 'running', although of course it IS about running; it's more about overcoming the impossible and changing women's lives. It's quite popular, and won a 'Billie' award this year for outstanding journalism.

RT: Even though you finished that famous 1967 Boston marathon, you were disqualified by Jock Semple. Did you ever hear much from Jack after that? Any apologies ?

KS: Jock Semple and I were at daggers drawn for 5 years after the Boston incident, and then he kissed me on the starting line of the 1973 Boston Marathon, so that was his way of saying, 'sorry, I was wrong.' We women had proved ourselves and he knew it. We went on to become best of friends, making speeches and appearances together. I was with him a few hours before he died; he was a man who changed my life and taught me that sometimes your biggest negatives can become your biggest positives.

That famous Boston incident, Courtesy of AP/Wideworld Photo

RT: You have lived an amazing life since that race in 1967 (no doubt before that as well). For example your role in establishing the Avon International Marathon (which proved a pivotal event in securing the women's marathon as an official event in the Olympic Games in 1984) truly helped shape the face of women's marathon running. If you had to choose just one or two highlights from your life thus far, what would they be?

KS: There are many highlights in my life, partly because I'm such an optimist that I find a lot of joy in things. But one of the greatest was seeing the women in the 1980 Avon Marathon come across the Westminster Bridge in London. It was the first time London streets had been closed for a sports event and I created the race that made that happen--it has since gone on to be the London Marathon! But I also knew with that race we had the required number of countries and continents to get the women's marathon in the Olympic Games, we'd worked hard to make that happen. The 2nd biggest was being in the room after frantic last-minute campaigning 6 months later when the IOC voted the women's marathon into the Olympic Games for 1984. I knew the whole world was going to change after that.


Kathrine Switzer, Marathon Woman - Courtesy of NzoneTonight

 


RT: What are your views on the current state of marathon running in America and around the world?

KS: It is interesting to watch the current state of marathon running, and how it changes as more countries emerge into the athletic forum. From the Brits to the Americans and then the Japanese, we all thought the Kenyans would hold dominance forever...but now it's the Ethiopians and pretty soon anybody who is born and bred at altitude will have the advantage. Ryan Hall fits that mold; he's an altitude boy.

RT: Childhood obesity is becoming a real problem for the majority of Western countries. Do you have any thoughts on ways we could combat this and hopefully increase the number of kids taking part in junior running?

KS: Childhood obesity is easy to solve. You can eat less or burn more to stay slim. And kids aren't exercising; hell, they aren't even moving! Americans are both rich and afraid--this is the first generation that doesn't have to be really worried about where food is coming from (a good thing) but afraid to let their kids go outside and play (a terrible thing). So the result is going to be a generation that will be diabetic and uninsurable. It will cost billions in health care. Children's running is a lot more fun and way cheaper--every running club in the USA should have a free kids program and every school should have a 'kids run the world' or 'kids run LA' kind of program--these cost nothing and give kids self-esteem and good health.

RT: What does the future hold for you, any grand plans?

KS: The future, I hope, is to spend more time with my husband, the great inspiration and love of my life, and to write more books. I've wanted to be a writer since I was 12, and people seem to like my books, so that is what I want to do. I'm also thinking about aging myself back into contention. Some of the Age Group 90+ records are pretty soft.

Kathrine's website

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2010 Sydney City to Surf New Balance Slogan Competition

posted by rtross on October 5, 2009, 5:15am

2010 Sydney City to Surf New Balance Slogan Competition

Over $700 worth of prizes up for grabs

Ever had a great running or race quote that was too good to be shared with just your friends? Imagine if that quote could be on the back of runners t-shirts in next year's Sun-Herald City to Surf?? Why don't you tell us your most funny or irreverant running/race quote.  New Balance, Runners Tribe major supporter, will choose two winners to go on 2010 Sun-Herald event t-shirts.  The 2 best slogans win free entry, preferred start position & $300 New Balance running gear (of the winners choice). Here's some examples to get your brain juices flowing....

New Balance

Run, Eat, Sleep, Repeat.



Why are all these people following me?

Anyone can run 10K. It's the next 4 that count.

Does this shirt make my butt look fast?

1 bottle of wine = - 546 calories - 5 miles

My mascara runs faster than you

Race entry fee...$50.., New shoes...$200.., Finishing in front of you...priceless

Beer = calories, running burns calories, so I run

 

 



Entries close 5pm Sydney time, Septmember 21.

Entries will be accepted from any nations, but prizes will only be awarded to Australian or New Zealand residents






Send entries to info@runnerstribe.com

 

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'I don't like to put limits on people - but I do feel he still has considerable improvement in him. I believe he can still run quite a bit faster at 1,500m and he's untapped at the longer events - half marathon and marathon'
Nic Bideau on Collis Birmingham

Memories of the 1992 Australian Cross Country Championships

posted by rtross on October 5, 2009, 5:11am


 

Courtesy of Athletics NSW

 

The Willandra cross country course in Nowra has hosted three Australian championships, the first in 1992, followed by 1994 and then again in 2002. In a blast from the past, our heroes of yesteryear recall their memories of this race and the unique course.

xc Malcolm Norwood:

It was 1992, the year of the Barcelona Olympics, and I was in particularly good form thanks to the guidance of coach Chris Wardlaw. The Australian cross country titles were being conducted in Nowra for the first time. I was well prepared, and after inspecting the course the day before, I was impressed by its design and the challenges it would offer. The best way for me to communicate my thoughts of the course is to reflect on the race plan I implemented on the day of the race, which lead to my win.

In particular I remember that around the 2km mark there was a steep hill followed by a gentle downhill section, which reminded me of the course in Bundoora. It was here that I planned to make my move to take the lead. Other sections of the course, especially toward the start, I remember as being very tight. In these sections I planned to run as efficiently as possible and conserve my energy, and not worry too much about where I was in the pack.

On the day of the race conditions were ideal. I felt very relaxed since I had a clear plan in mind and avoided going too hard at the start, which let me avoid the jostling for a prominent position early on. By the time we reached the hill at the 2km point I was in touch with the bunch. I followed my plan to run a controlled hill surge, powering off the top and then keeping up a fast pace for as long as I could without over-exerting. By the time I reached the top of the hill, to my surprise, I was in front. At that point I surged off the hill and found myself 40m to 60m ahead. From then on I kept up a controlled pace, keeping up surges across the hill section each time I crossed it.

With my plan firmly in mind, a very well marked out track to run on, and with the race under control from early on I was able to enjoy the moment, and secure a satisfying national title. I hope you all will enjoy running on the course as much as I did, and wish you all luck in the race. I hope that some day I will be able to come back to Nowra to enjoy the atmosphere of the national cross country titles.

Shaun Creighton:

xc The 1992 Australian Cross Country Championships held extra interest as Mal Norwood, Pat Carroll and myself were all attempting to rebound from the disappointment of not being selected to compete in the Olympic Games in Barcelona despite all qualifying. Added to the mix were Julian Paynter fresh from winning the City to Surf and strong cross country runners Robbie O'Donnell, Wayne Larden and Rod Higgins who were all in good form.

I'd run over the Nowra course a few weeks before the race, so was aware of the infamous hill. On race day, I decided to start conservatively and try to work into a winning position late in the race. The plan was sound, but my execution of it was not. Having caught Mal Norwood at the bottom of the big hill on the final lap, I tried to break him as soon as I caught him. I gained a small lead half way up the hill, but had run out of gas by the top, giving Mal an opportunity to catch me on the crest and run away unchallenged. In hindsight, the better tactic was to wait until the crest and then make a strong run for home. I guess that's why they say hindsight is 20/20 !

Mal and I were both clearly in very good shape for this race. A few weeks later he ran 61.56 to place 16th in the World Half Marathon Championships and at the same time I took the bronze medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the World Cup in Havana.

Nowra is a terrific course and a true test of cross country running ability.

Jackie Fairweather:

Even though the first Australian X-C championships in Nowra was 17 years ago, I remember vividly that hill. The year 1992 was a bit of a breakthrough one for me with my running, resulting in me finally making my first Australian Team (for 1993 World X-C). I had started training for triathlon in early 1992 and the cross training lead to a quantum leap forward in my running performances. I came into Nowra fit, strong and confident after some recent good races and duathlon performances...

The field was very strong with some of the best runners of the era on the start line. The pace was fast from the start and there was a big group of us. But then we hit the hill and that sorted things out pretty quickly, with Kerryn McCann surging ahead and stringing us out. From there on it was survival. My diary entry from the race reads: ``Really hard race. Didn't feel like I ran well but came 6th. Should have been 3rd or 4th but wasn't aggressive, positive or tough enough. Really died but so did everyone else.'' The underlining of the word ``tough'' says it all. This is one tough course and really sorts people out. It is not enough to be fit going into a Nat X-C at Nowra, you have to be prepared for the course and prepared to be tough.

Interestingly that first year just 45sec spread the first 10 women - great close, hard racing and preparation for World X-C. Nowra is certainly a X-C course befitting a National Championship.

Wayne Larden:

I recall the 1992 Australian Cross Country Championships at Rod's farm in Nowra for a number of reasons. Firstly I remember the hills and the perfectly purpose built facility that Rod had made with love over a long period of time. I had heard of the cross country course many times before from locals and others who had been there to race. So a few of the boys who were living and training in Canberra thought we should take a reci to Nowra for the State champs immediately before the nationals.

Jules Paynter, Dave Evans and a few other loaded into the AIS camper and headed up the coast with the view of getting whatever advantage we could over the other lads coming in for nationals that year. It was a great trip and I can't recall where we all finished but we all agreed we better do a bit more hill work before nationals.

The other thing that I remember most about that first trip down to Rod's farm was the awesome hospitality. I couldn't recall a State Championship like it with home baked goodies, tea and coffee for everyone. We were all really warmly received by Nowra and we all went back to Canberra raving about the course and event.

So with a month or two of intense hill training we headed back to Nowra for nationals were an awesome field lined up to tackle Rod's hills for the first ever National Cross Country title at the venue.

Once again the baked goodies, tea, coffee and warm welcome was there when we arrived although this time the atmosphere was a bit more intense with the national title up for grabs. Most of the top runners were there minus a couple and those who were there were renowned ``strong men'' so we knew we were going to be punished over the 12km course.

The configuration of the course allows 3km or 4km loops so for the open men we had 3 laps to do to make up the 12km and it was pretty well on from the start with the big man Mal Norwood leading the charge. The other part of this course that everyone who has ever run there will remember is The Hill. It probably has a name but let's just call it Dead Horse for the purpose of this article. I call it that because it reminds me of the hill climb up to Thredbo which is, according to cyclists, Australia's most punishing hill climb - and of course, it would kill a horse. It isn't a super long hill but it is so steep if it was raining too much and you had the wrong spikes on you could easily slide back down to the bottom.

xc

Luckily for us we were prepared and didn't slide back down the hill but on the second lap when the strong men are turning the screws and decide to put the boot in just before the hill it sure felt like we were going backwards. I remember thinking I was going all right, still in contact with the main contenders approaching the second hill until big Mal started pushing the pace into the hill on lap two, up the hill then over the hill and all the way to the finish.

From there Mal strung out the field in his usual dominant fashion to take the first ever Aussie title at the farm.

The other thing which I think has been lost from running events in some ways was the fantastic party we all had together that night. I was fortunate enough to be on the organising group who co-ordinated with a local pub to ensure we all managed to get to the one place and have a good time together after the event. I really remember the great time we all had with athletes from all the different states and it is one of my fondest memories.

I hope all the competitors in this year's nationals have an equally memorable time in Nowra and I want to say congratulations to Rod and his club mates for putting on such a great event and having the ongoing passion and energy to put together what I would vote as the best national cross country I've been to.

Rob O'Donnell:

Although my memory is blurred by the 17 years that have passed since the 1992 National Cross Country Championships, held for the first time in Nowra, I do remember a few things about the race. It was and still remains famous for THAT HILL and is very suited to a good strong cross country runner as it is a true cross country course

It was was held at the farm of Rod Gibbs ( a previous manager of traveling Australian teams) and presented a very challenging course. Victoria had a very strong team and back then the National Title was the most direct path into the Australian team for the world cross country championships so we were all keen to perform well.

I remember the course most for the very steep hill of about 200m out the back before disappearing from the spectators' eyes through some trees and re-appearing to run down the steep other side of the hill. Ironically the downhill was where a lot of race winning breaks were established. Letting go down the hill before taking a sharp left hand turn at the bottom at which point there was maybe 1.5 km to go, was very important.

Shaun Creighton and Malcolm Norwood had a titanic battle for first place while a few of us battled for the bronze medal eventually won by Pat Carroll when he ran away from me in the last 1 km. It was also the first time I became aware of Kerryn Hindmarsh- McCann who ran away with the women's race starting what was to become a great career.

Tania Turney:

I remember Nowra being a pretty tough course with the hills. I also remember running in at the end with Jenny Lund. I have never liked sprint finishes and she just got past me on the line. For a cross country course it is hard but that is what cross country should be.

AUSTRALIAN CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS 1992 Nowra 29th August
12KM
1 Malcolm Norwood Vic 36.37.0
2 Shaun Creighton Vic 36.46.0
3 Pat Carroll Qld 37.02.0
4 Rob O'Donnell Vic 37.10.0
5 Wayne Larden ACT 37.23.0
6 Rod Higgins ACT 37.33.0
7 Julian Paynter Vic 37.51.0
8 Jason Cameron New Zealand 38.03.0
9 Paul Arthur NSW 38.15.0


TEAMS
1 Victoria 14 pts
2 ACT 36 pts
3 NSW 52 pts
4 Queensland 57 pts
5 New Zealand 60 pts
6 Tasmania 81 pts


WOMEN
6KM
1 Kerryn Hindmarsh-McCann NSW 21.15.0
2 Sue Malaxos WA 21.28.0
3 Sue Mahony NSW 21.37.0
4 Jenny Green-Lund Qld 21.38.0
5 Tania Turney Vic 21.38.0
6 Jackie Gallagher-Fairweather Qld 21.47.0
7 Carole Connolly Qld 21.51.0
8 Glenys Kroon New Zealand 21.54.0
9 Maryann Murray Tas 21.59.0


TEAMS
1 NSW 19 pts
2 Queensland 22 pts
3 Victoria 37 pts
4 ACT 58 pts


Compiled and edited by David Tarbotton and Ron Bendall for Athletics NSW

Results courtesy of







 

http://www.athletics.com.au/competition/statsdata/historical_results

 

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2009 NCAA Preview

posted by rtross on October 4, 2009, 9:45pm

 

Michael Rimmer : Great Britain's 800m Olympic hopeful

posted by rtross on October 4, 2009, 1:14am

 

Twenty-two year old British middle distance runner, Michael Rimmer, is one of the most promising middle distance runners England has seen in quite some time. Rimmer is part of a contingent of British runners, including Andy Baddeley, who are hoping to return Britain to the forefront of world middle distance running.

 

Rimmer has had some encouraging results in a career which is still in it’s infancy. He finished 8th in the 800m final at the 2006 European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg and 2nd in his first European Cup in Munich (2007). Interestingly, he is the first male 800m runner in British history to win national titles in the under 15, 17 and 20 age groups as well as a senior athlete. In 2007, Michael was without a doubt England’s best 800m runner, running a total of four 1:45 800m races. Rimmer is currently in the best form of his life, running a PR of 1:44.68 to finish 6th in the Monaco Super GP (29th July 2008). This breakthrough run has elevated Rimmer to 13th on the Brtish all time list. More importantly, Rimmer now has a real chance of making the Olympic 800m final, and as Nils Schumann lies as a testament too, in an Olympic final, anything can happen.

RunnersTribe: Michael, thanks for your time. How have things been going in 2008, you seem to be peaking at the right time with a 1:47.1 at the Ostrava Golden spike in June 12, a 1:46.10 at the Notturna di Milano on July 2, a 1:45.89 at the Barcelona GP on July 20 and most recently a 1:44.68 at the Monaco Super GP.

MR: Things have been a little up and down so far this year. After a really successful winter i caught quite a bad chest infection which caused me to miss the first 3-4 weeks of transition work from the winter to summer. I surprised myself by coming back so quickly from the infection, running a comfortable 2.19 for 1000m and 1.47.16 after two and half weeks of training. However the lack of specific 800m work caught up on me and I suffered with my races in June. Getting back to basics was very important so the decision to miss the Europa Cup and get into a training block has definitely paid off!

RT: So obviously you are now over the set-back and all ready for Beijing?

MR: I had many chances to rectify the June races and put my good training into practice in Milan on 2nd July and now with the 1:44.68 in Monaco. Since the British trials (which he won in 1:49) things have been going well. In Barcelona I was on the shoulder of the leader for 700m but was obstructed quite badly and within 30 metres found myself back in sixth! But it was just nice to be competitive again and mix it with the best in the world like Bungei and Yego etc. The 1:44.6 is solid, but it could have been so much better, roll on Beijing.

RT: Mark Sesay (former No.1 British 800m runner) said about you in an article for the Guardian back in July 2006: “As for Liverpool's Michael Rimmer, who has impressed so much recently, he needs wrapping up and looking after. He is a superb talent but seems to have stalled. It is very worrying”. Two years on, what are your thoughts on his views?

MR: He was probably spot on to be fair! I think he made that comment at just the right time as i ran 1.45. about 2 weeks after his comments were made, but my progression had stalled quite badly for two years. However, i think it has definitely worked out for the best as I am probably one of the only athletes who has made it all the way through from a top Under 13 athlete all the way to senior level.

RT: Numerous high profiles figures in Britain over the years have criticised the way athletics is run in Britain. One common argument is that there isn't the infrastructure in place to help young athletes fulfil their talent. What are your thoughts on this?

MR : I think there are a lot of plus points and negatives points with the way things are at the moment but I feel that the people at the top are learning all the time and I believe they will have everything in place by 2012. The one thing I would like to see is the use of experienced and proven coaches around the UK, it seems to me that too many of our young athletes go running off to Loughborough or St.Marys when there are much better options closer to home. I think publishing where the top coaches are (for example Gordon Suertes and Norman Poole etc) and simply using the coaches who have been there and done it before would improve our junior to senior ratio.

RT: How important has the influence of your Manchester based coach Norman Poole been on your career?

MR: Norman has been the icing on the cake! There aren’t so many differences in training compared to my previous coach however the things that have changed are the key to why im now running so much quicker than before.

RT: Andy Badderly has attributed some of his recent success to extensive training camps he undertook at altitude in Australia. Do you go on may training camps or do you mainly stay based up North with your coach and support network?

MR: Im definitely a stay at home athlete. I have everything i need in Manchester so there isn’t any real need to go looking for that extra ingredient anywhere else.

RT: Your flat 200m speed is solid (PB of 22.50 for 200m). It’s fair to say however that your 1500m time is not quite as strong (PB of 3:45). Is this something you have been addressing in training?

MR: I dont think either of those PB’s are a true reflection of what I can do. A time comfortably under 3.40 and a sub 22 would be more realistic. Concentrating on endurance has been a big part of the last two winter seasons, not so much to improve the 1500m p.b but to put a series of great races together at the major championships.

RT: To finish off, do you have any favorite gut wrenching track sessions that you like doing and/or stand out as being key indicators to you that you are in form and ready to roll?

MR: The high lactate 800m type sessions are key for me. Anything at 800m pace with short recovery always brings on the lactate monster!!

RT: Michael, thanks for the interview, all the best for beijing

© 2008 The Runner's Tribe, all rights reserved.

 

 

Michael Rimmer : Great Britain's 800m Olympic hopeful

posted by rtsam on July 20, 2009, 1:09am

 

Twenty-two year old British middle distance runner, Michael Rimmer, is one of the most promising middle distance runners England has seen in quite some time. Rimmer is part of a contingent of British runners, including Andy Baddeley, who are hoping to return Britain to the forefront of world middle distance running.

 

Rimmer has had some encouraging results in a career which is still in it’s infancy. He finished 8th in the 800m final at the 2006 European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg and 2nd in his first European Cup in Munich (2007). Interestingly, he is the first male 800m runner in British history to win national titles in the under 15, 17 and 20 age groups as well as a senior athlete. In 2007, Michael was without a doubt England’s best 800m runner, running a total of four 1:45 800m races. Rimmer is currently in the best form of his life, running a PR of 1:44.68 to finish 6th in the Monaco Super GP (29th July 2008). This breakthrough run has elevated Rimmer to 13th on the Brtish all time list. More importantly, Rimmer now has a real chance of making the Olympic 800m final, and as Nils Schumann lies as a testament too, in an Olympic final, anything can happen.

RunnersTribe: Michael, thanks for your time. How have things been going in 2008, you seem to be peaking at the right time with a 1:47.1 at the Ostrava Golden spike in June 12, a 1:46.10 at the Notturna di Milano on July 2, a 1:45.89 at the Barcelona GP on July 20 and most recently a 1:44.68 at the Monaco Super GP.

MR: Things have been a little up and down so far this year. After a really successful winter i caught quite a bad chest infection which caused me to miss the first 3-4 weeks of transition work from the winter to summer. I surprised myself by coming back so quickly from the infection, running a comfortable 2.19 for 1000m and 1.47.16 after two and half weeks of training. However the lack of specific 800m work caught up on me and I suffered with my races in June. Getting back to basics was very important so the decision to miss the Europa Cup and get into a training block has definitely paid off!

RT: So obviously you are now over the set-back and all ready for Beijing?

MR: I had many chances to rectify the June races and put my good training into practice in Milan on 2nd July and now with the 1:44.68 in Monaco. Since the British trials (which he won in 1:49) things have been going well. In Barcelona I was on the shoulder of the leader for 700m but was obstructed quite badly and within 30 metres found myself back in sixth! But it was just nice to be competitive again and mix it with the best in the world like Bungei and Yego etc. The 1:44.6 is solid, but it could have been so much better, roll on Beijing.

RT: Mark Sesay (former No.1 British 800m runner) said about you in an article for the Guardian back in July 2006: “As for Liverpool's Michael Rimmer, who has impressed so much recently, he needs wrapping up and looking after. He is a superb talent but seems to have stalled. It is very worrying”. Two years on, what are your thoughts on his views?

MR: He was probably spot on to be fair! I think he made that comment at just the right time as i ran 1.45. about 2 weeks after his comments were made, but my progression had stalled quite badly for two years. However, i think it has definitely worked out for the best as I am probably one of the only athletes who has made it all the way through from a top Under 13 athlete all the way to senior level.

RT: Numerous high profiles figures in Britain over the years have criticised the way athletics is run in Britain. One common argument is that there isn't the infrastructure in place to help young athletes fulfil their talent. What are your thoughts on this?

MR : I think there are a lot of plus points and negatives points with the way things are at the moment but I feel that the people at the top are learning all the time and I believe they will have everything in place by 2012. The one thing I would like to see is the use of experienced and proven coaches around the UK, it seems to me that too many of our young athletes go running off to Loughborough or St.Marys when there are much better options closer to home. I think publishing where the top coaches are (for example Gordon Suertes and Norman Poole etc) and simply using the coaches who have been there and done it before would improve our junior to senior ratio.

RT: How important has the influence of your Manchester based coach Norman Poole been on your career?

MR: Norman has been the icing on the cake! There aren’t so many differences in training compared to my previous coach however the things that have changed are the key to why im now running so much quicker than before.

RT: Andy Badderly has attributed some of his recent success to extensive training camps he undertook at altitude in Australia. Do you go on may training camps or do you mainly stay based up North with your coach and support network?

MR: Im definitely a stay at home athlete. I have everything i need in Manchester so there isn’t any real need to go looking for that extra ingredient anywhere else.

RT: Your flat 200m speed is solid (PB of 22.50 for 200m). It’s fair to say however that your 1500m time is not quite as strong (PB of 3:45). Is this something you have been addressing in training?

MR: I dont think either of those PB’s are a true reflection of what I can do. A time comfortably under 3.40 and a sub 22 would be more realistic. Concentrating on endurance has been a big part of the last two winter seasons, not so much to improve the 1500m p.b but to put a series of great races together at the major championships.

RT: To finish off, do you have any favorite gut wrenching track sessions that you like doing and/or stand out as being key indicators to you that you are in form and ready to roll?

MR: The high lactate 800m type sessions are key for me. Anything at 800m pace with short recovery always brings on the lactate monster!!

RT: Michael, thanks for the interview, all the best for beijing

© 2008 The Runner's Tribe, all rights reserved.

 

 

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