Hi Michel! You’ve got quite some form when it comes to marathons, haven’t you? I love marathons! I love long-distance running so anything really above 10km is great. I’ve run 20 marathons to date, some ultras as well, and 13 London marathons. And other marathons all over the world. Some bizarre places such as Tromso up in the arctic circle and Monaco, which was rather glamorous. For me it’s a way of life. My best time is 3h 13min here in London, a few years back.
So with that experience, when people ask you for a training tip, what do you tell them? It’s really about getting started. On days like this, its easy. It’s a beautiful day today with blue skies – it’s crisp, it’s fresh, you don’t really need any inspiration to go out. But on cold, wet, damp, horrible winter day – that’s when you really need inspiration. And that’s when you need to pick up a magazine or an inspirational book about running, go through the pages – or go on YouTube for a video of a great sporting moment, like a Paula Radcliffe race or something – look at that for two seconds and then you think, “Yeah! That’s what I’m going to go out and do!”
Do you remember your first race? I was one of the few kids that actually enjoyed cross country! I never used to win any of them – well, I got close – but I use to try damn hard and I enjoyed them. From about eight years old right through to 17, I used to do cross countries. Really really enjoyed it. I wasn’t good at the short – 100m or 200m – but the long distances, yeah. Then my first London marathon was about 20 years ago now. I set my heart on a sub-3h 30min having never run a marathon before and I came in at 3h 27min so I was very pleased.
Do you listen to music when you run? No, I tend not to. Very, very occasionally. If I do, it’s just shuffle on my music. It could be anything from Benny Hill comedy music to classical to French rap. Very eclectic
Do you wear a gadget? No, I don’t do GPS though I do have a proper running watch. I do use an app – the Map My Run one–- which I find good because it gives you an idea of the pace, so that’s a good incentive as well. You can see just by changing your route a little how much more you’ve run.
What’s the best thing about running? Just being out there on my own. It’s a moment of peace and tranquility.
What’s the worst thing about running? Those horrible winter days when it’s piddling down with rain!
What’s your post race indulgence? Ooooh, chocoate. Chocolate. And more chocolate. And a good glass of wine. Very often when I’m running I’m thinking about that already; it’s at the back of my mind. I’ll do an extra 500m, that becomes a kilometer, and you think: yeah I deserve this!
What do you eat for breakfast before a marathon or a long run? I never change the routine – and that’s an important tip as well – never suddenly change on the morning of a race. I have toast, good quality bread – often homemade – with lashings of butter and good homemade marmalade. It works for me! Don’t change for the sake of change; stick to what works.
Have you ever run barefoot? No – I mean I have tried it but it just didn’t work for me. I can’t get my head around it – I find it painful!
Mo Farah or Usain Bolt? Oh, Mo, of course.
Who’s the greatest runner ever? Haile Gebrselassie. I had the pleasure of meeting him last year, it was an honour.
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