Don't Just Run On Your Own

Cliff Brown said the other day that he was going to do some training with Jim Shields for the triathlon. It's obvious isn't it that if you are new at an event you work with, train with and watch how an expert goes about his business? But the benefits from training with other like minded athletes are not just felt by those in technical events. The really big British road running clubs in the 1950's/60's were Derby and County and Coventry Godiva Harriers. Both clubs had a group of runners training together to their mutual benefit. AW on one occasion reported that the top Derby and County runners met every morning at 7:00 am for a 10 mile run: this was in addition to the usual club nights, weekend races and Sunday long run in each other's company. The top men would have been top in any club in any generation but (1) it really helped the less good to become better than they otherwise would have been, and (2) it helped the very best to get the miles in if they did it in company. All the best club sides have a group that trains together. The last Clydesdale team to win medals in the Senior Cross Country Championships was in 1955 and they all did training together, not just on cub nights of Tuesday and Thursdays but on Wednesdays as well and did a long session on a Sunday. The week night session did not start until 8:00 or 8:30 because there was always at least one who was working late. But they did it and got the results they wanted. Even in the mid sixties there was a group of us (Neil Buchanan, Cyril O'Boyle, Pat Younger, Billy Hislop, Johnny B Maclachlan and myself who met every Monday at the junction of Kilbowie Road and the Boulevard (where the big roundabout is now) and ran a regular 10 miles before running home again. It gave me about 14 miles for the night, I don't know about the others. There are benefits from training together that should not be ignored if you want to make progress. And it doesn't mean you have to be nice to each other during the run! On one occasion I was out on a Tuesday with Phil Dolan, Ian Donald and Allan Faulds for a run round Anniesland Cross and back through Drumchapel when Allan fell back a bit coming up through Drumchapel towards the swimming baths. I suggested we wait for him only to be told "He wouldn't wait for us!" You need the hardness and if you don't get it in training where will you get it? Senior club members should be training together Tuesdays, Thursdays and on Sunday for at least two hours on a regular basis and travelling to race meetings together as well. Sharing a car with petrol the price it is now, brings cash savings as well as getting the athletes together! More to come later.