Henry Ricketts  

Aug 162020
 

Name:          Henry Ricketts

Born:            29.01.1967    

Date Joined  Probably 01.04.2004

Personal Bests:  

100m 12.3

200m 25.5 (24.5 age 14)

400m 56.8 (55.9 age 15)

800m 2.24.8
1500m 6.07.51 (5.25.2 age 13)

5 mile (did the Vicky Park 5 but can’t find the time)
10K road 44.27ish

Half marathon 1hr 43.47ish

First Club Race:  Gloucester Park, Basildon Cross Country

Favourite Race:   Stubbers Cross Country Upminster

Notable Performances: 
Ranked 12th in the UK for Long Jump in my age group in 2012.
3rd placed team in The Southern Counties Vets Final last summer

Biggest Disappointment:
Not being fit enough due to injury to get consistent winter training in to take into the summer track season since 2010. At school age my worst performance finishing 6th in the London Schools Championship 400m – it was cold and miserable but in saying that it was the same for everyone. I ran around 3 seconds slower than my regular time.

Typical Weeks Training at your peak .
Tuesday track joining Dave Jones session.
Thursday track sprint session.
All other days 2.75m road loop around 7mins per mile. The road runs started to drop off when I started cycling to work which was a 17 mile round trip.

Favourite Sessions: 12 x 150m with walk back recovery aiming for sub 20

Favourite race distance:
200m at school but had to move to 400m because no-one else covered it. As a vet it’s 400m although injury has not been kind to run a quality race for some time.

Favourite event – Track, Road or Cross Country: I actually enjoyed cross country when I was able to run  them but was better on the track.

What advice would you give our current crop of youngsters.
Any training session that you can complete without injury is a success, even if your times are down. Re-focus, don’t be afraid to seek advice and Youtube is a wonderful resource to have a look at the top athletes and their technique.

Who is the most Famous Athlete you Trained with or would like to train with:
Being a ‘mature track sprinter’ there are not many runners who trained over sprint distances. When running with Dave Jones group Andy Catton was a regular so I would have to say him. As a vet sprinter I did a lot of training by myself because the young athletes were far too quick. I had some sessions laid out by Dave and did have some coaching from Jim McNamee but again solo training. Most recently as a vet I’d say Cliff Warren. I would love to train with Kim Collins (M40 world records holder 9.93s) to get a feel for his motivation to keep going or for explosive starting Asafa Powell (most sub 10s races).  

How would you improve the sport:
Have track and field built into the curriculum with the associated awareness/education of nutrition and the impact of enhancement/drugs. I’m not sure that enhanced drug taking will be fully eradicated so maybe mandatory testing from certain competition levels.

Favourite Athlete or Sportsman: 
Not an out an out sprinter so may seem a bit weird – 400m hurdler Edwin Moses who won 122 consecutive races. From a sprint perspective although Usain Bolt is an exceptional athlete Michael Johnson because he ran the 400m plus the 200m. Still remember being absolutely stunned when he broke the 200m world record at Atlanta 1996 bringing it down from 19.66 to 19.32. Watched it live around 2:30am. Special mention to Muhammad Ali who transcended his sport.

What other sports do you follow: Cricket and Rugby League

Best Country Visited: Jamaica – first family holiday

Favourite Food & Drink : Jerk Pork

Favourite TV Shows:
When it was on Big Bang Theory. Now just found that Fear the Walking Dead Season 5 is on Prime so just started watching that season. 

Last Film Seen : At the cinema probably Avengers Endgame. I’ve recently recorded a film called Sprinter about a Jamaican teen and his meteoric rise in track and field – well that’s what the synopsis says. 

Last Book Read: The Girl who took an Eye for an Eye (Millenium series book 5)

Favourite Band Singer: 

Always thought Freddie Mercury was a standout performer and artist. I grew up listening to reggae and R & B/soul so Bob Marley is a constant and although not a band singer Bill Withers.  

Last Album Bought or Downloaded:
If anything I have compilation as opposed to single artist/band downloads

Last Concert Attended: A Queen tribute band at Ipswich Regent Theatre 

Any Pets:  Two cats – hopefully that means no mice

What are your aims for next season?
Recover from my achilles tendonitis to feel confident in putting all the weight through when sprinting, if not it’s managing the injury to be competitive.

Tell us a Joke: How many ears does Captain Kirk have? 3 – The left ear, the right ear and the final frontier 

 

 

HENRY’S FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS:-

What made last year such a successful year for you as vets track & field captain?

A squad covering events coupled with people competing at a very high club standard and even though it is a squad effort I have to highlight the performances of Paul Grange who for a middle distance specialist is not too shabby as a sprinter. There have been matches over the years when there have been 3 of us representing the club across age groups 35, 40, 50 and 60. I’m sure on one occasion there was just 2 of us. Availability and the distance to venues can also be problematic however things have started to improve of late with more people enjoying track competition. Could still do with some field eventers- hint, hint. Also, great to see the shoots of a ladies team.  

 

You jump and you track sprint.  you must be a good hurdler?

In no way am I a hurdler although I held the club 200m record. Mainly because I was the first vet to compete over that distance. It’s a very technical event and since it’s no longer part of the vets program – too many injuries and mishaps caused by the barriers – I don’t think I’ll be taking it up.

 

Jerk pork sounds amazing! but what is your favourite cut of pork to make this taste best?

I’ve never really thought about the cut. I’d say chops would be difficult to get the taste right. Other than that any joint where you can be patient enough to marinate for at least 8 hours. There is a history to jerk meats but that’s for another time.

 

What school did you attend and did they encourage your athletic ambitions ?

I was brought up in sarf London and attended Woolwich Polytechnic Secondary. At that time schools competed against each other in Borough leagues and then the schools had District/Borough championships. Then if you were good enough you were picked for London Schools Champs and got to run at Crystal Palace which was a huge thing. By virtue of the school events my abilities were noticed but I didn’t feel confident enough to join a club.

 

What is your job and how do you fit in training around that ?

I’m a civil servant and can fit training around flexible working hours  At the start of covid I was doing a session at South Park getting there from 6.30 for about 45 mins. It was going well until June when the achilles flared up again. 

 

Favourite and fastest Park Run ?

I think I’ve only done 2 both at Valentines Park. I can’t find the time on the IAC site (just done a google search and it’s 20m 50 in 2009)

 

Greatest Rival and Why ?

I’m going to be cheesy and say myself because I still feel there is more I can do. When I regularly ran cross country Steve Cheal and I used to have a few battles. On the track there is an athlete from Harrow by the name of Barrington King who is also a civil servant, so we do meet at the Civil Service Games. He pipped me by 0.02 last time we ran over 100m for silver. The winner is a GB international so we were always competing for second place.

 

Favourite Athletics brand of clothing and why ?

Asics – quality clothing and footwear although my spikes are Puma, New Balance and Mizuno.

 

Favourite Footballer and Cricketer ?

Going back the footballer would be Zinedine Zidane even despite that World Cup aberration. Cricketer would be Michael (Whispering Death) Holding off the long run up. Poetry in motion.

 

First Single and Album you bought on vinyl ?

Single – Rappers Delight by Sugarhill Gang (quick story – that’s what I paid for and when I got home it was The Three Degrees. Had to exchange it the following day but couldn’t tell anyone. Far too embarrassing to have a Three Degrees single when you’re in secondary school)
Album – I’m not sure. I could only afford singles which later developed into 12 inch singles. I’d have to go through my record collection which is not happening any time soon with them being in the attic.

 

Do you follow a healthy diet ?

Not really although I try and avoid fried food and limit caffeine. I’m more careful than healthy.

 

Are you a fan of ‘Foam Rolling’ and stretching ?

Stretching yes although I now have a foam roller.

 

Favourite track session ?

12 x 150m aiming for sub 20 and walk back recovery. When I was running well I could run 12 x 400 at sub 80 with 2 minute recovery. That would be an achievement session rather than favourite.

 

A lot of your PB’s were as a schoolboy. Were you in a club at the time or were these when you were competing for your school?

I never joined a club until Ilford so maybe a missed opportunity. I’ll name drop here because I used to compete against John Regis (played football against him too) and regularly beat him at school age until 15. Admittedly he bulked up but shows what dedication and commitment can do. For the youngsters he’s still the UK 200m record holder.

 

Did you ever attend the Muhammad Ali exhibition at the O2 in London?

No. Looks like that one slipped by me.

 

Who do you think would have won a fight between Ali and Tyson, both at their absolute peak?

Now that’s a tough one. Tyson was a fearsome puncher (and from the recent Youtube clips, he still is) but then in his day so was George Foreman who Ali beat. Also, take into consideration that Ali’s prime years were spent unable to box due to his license being stripped, I’m going for Ali on that one.

 

As a sprinter how did you feel when Linford Christie was exposed for taking performance enhancing drugs? Do you think it casts a shadow over all his achievements?

It almost seems a wasted effort by taking the drugs (being found positive) at such a late age, when he was no longer competitive. I’d like to think the testing programmes were capable of catching cheats at that time so for me I’ll go with what the science is telling us (very topical with covid-19) in that he wasn’t found to be a drug taker at the height of his running so he was a legitimate athlete. Note that the East German times have not been removed and still stand until beaten….just saying.

 

You can host a dinner party with 12 fantasy guests, dead or alive – 3 athletes, 3 musicians, 3 other celebrities and 3 friends – Who are you inviting?

Athletes – Arthur Wint, Don Quarrie, Merlene Ottey. Musicians – Dennis Brown, Beyonce, Luther Vandross. Other celebs – Muhammed Ali, Martin Luther King, Marcus Garvey 3 friends – my schoolmates Harry, Tubbs, Beano

 

Assuming the Tokyo Olympics happen next year, what athletes are you looking forward to seeing compete? If you could attend the final of one event there, which would it be?

Male – Omar Macleod, Noah Lyles, Wayde van Niekirk, Karsten Warholm, Donovan Brazier, Joseph Cheptegei.
Female – Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Allyson Felix, Sifan Hassan, Malaika Mihambo. British athletes – Reece Prescod (if fit), Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, Matt Hudson-Smith, Mo Farah (if he runs), Dina Asher-Smith, Amy Hunt, Laura Muir, Jemma Reekie, KJT

 

How did you end up with your role at the club managing the vets track team? 

Short story long – Martin Clarke said at the end of a vets season if I would do it. There’s one annual meeting to attend and sorting out athletes for the match. Seemed manageable so said yes. Think I’m somewhere close to 10 years in the role – if that’s not the case it feels like it.
Do you have a favourite training shoe?

Asics – see spikes comment above

 

I have met Chris Akabusi over West Ham a few times. If you found out that the seat next to him was available as a Season ticket – Would you buy a season ticket over West Ham so that you could sit next to him and chat about athletics at Half time?

Having met Kriss Akabusi and him being a larger than life character, this is tough with me not being a West Ham fan. I’d have to work out how to have the half-time chat without watching the game.

 

If the answer to the above is ‘yes’ and before the first game you got 2 text messages – One from Pam Jones asking if you would meet her for coffee and a wagon wheel at half time, and the other was from Chris Akabusi asking if you’d meet for a Beer and a sausage roll at Half time – Who would be your halftime companion?

The Ilford legend can’t be put in second place. It’s not a position she’s used to. Pam every time.
Nice pictures Henry, everyone looks so young. If you had the chance which decade would you have liked to compete in. Everyone seems to be obsessed with watches and satnav, when would you run just for the joy of running and competition.

If I could go back to the 80s and pursue athletics seriously I’d like to see where that would have taken me. Being a sprinter as long as I had my stopwatch I’d be happy. I did the longer track, road and cross-country running to build strength and stamina for 400m running, so I wasn’t too concerned with satnav etc. Saying that my watch has a strava app on it.

Is your real name Henry or Henri (as your email address)

Henry is my name. My mail address is kind of a combination of first and last name.

  John Mackenzie  

Aug 092020
 

Name:  John Duncan Mackenzie

Born:  06/09/1954

Date Joined : March 1978

Personal Bests: (all in the 1980’s)

Track

800m         2min 00.1sec

1500m        4min 05sec

3000m        8min 35sec  

3000m s/c    9min 42sec 

5000m        15min 10sec

10000m        32min 50sec

Road

5 miles        25min 12sec

10 miles        52min 06sec

Half Mar        69min 50sec

20 miles    1hr 47min 48sec

Marathon    2hr 29min 47sec

 

First Club Race: Cambridge 10 1978 (I ran in Frank Heaney’s name and he did a pb of 57min 35secs !!! as a veteran)

Favourite Race: Great North Run ( This was an Ilford team favourite and we made it into a weekend away each year for more than 10 years – no anecdotes though! What happened in Newcastle…stayed in Newcastle.)

Notable Performances:  Always a bit-part player in a fantastic Ilford squad, my best individual race was definitely the Windermere Marathon in 1986 when I finished a very hilly course in 9th position in 2hrs 33mins – which earned me the prize for 1st Southern athlete (my mum was not amused as I am a Mancunian!)

Biggest Disappointment:  Not gaining an Oxford Blue for cross country or athletics.

Typical Weeks Training at your peak : 

Mon        8 – 10 miles road

Tues     Track session (Summer) or South Park intervals (Winter)

Weds    8-10 miles road

Thurs    Track session (Summer) or 9-10 miles speedy road run

Fri            4-5 miles easy running

Sat        Race

Sun       am 12-15 miles road/country  pm 4-5 miles easy running

Target mileage per week was 70  fitting in two runs a day in build-up to marathons.

Favourite Sessions:  Road -Tomswood Hill 9/10 mile road run ( I’m sure I was faster on Thursday nights than on a Saturday!).
Track – Up and down the clock 200/400/600/800/600/400/200 x 2.

Favourite race distance: Marathon

Favourite event – Track, Road or Cross Country : Cross Country at Parliament Hill

What advice would you give our current crop of youngsters :
Keep trying to beat the guys who are always ahead of you because you will improve with perseverance and consistently hard training. Enjoy every minute of your running career because you never know how long it will last.

Who is the most Famous Athlete you Trained with or would like to train with: 
I trained with Julian Goater before he went to the Olympics to do the 10000 metres – a really classy athlete. 

How would you improve the sport –
Dedicated trail courses like they have in Portugal for training off-road  which would reduce stress injuries from all the road work.

Favourite Athlete or Sportsman:  Dave Bedford (he inspired me to wear red socks) and Steve Ovett.

What other sports do you follow:
Football (Man Utd), cricket, golf, road and track cycling, horse racing, triathlon and (in the 1990’s ) Sumo wrestling.

Best Country Visited : Hawaii

Favourite Food & Drink : Real ale/ Chateaubriand steak

Favourite TV Shows:  X Files, Frasier, 24, The Wire, What they do in the shadows, Book at Bedtime.

Last Film Seen : K19 – Widowmaker

Last Book Read: Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie 

Favourite Band Singer:  Genesis / U2 /Yes / Roxy Music / David Bowie

Last Album Bought or Downloaded : David Bowie – Black Star

Last Concert Attended:  Jess Glynne at Newmarket Nights

Any Pets:  No, I have a wife so no room for any other loves in my life. She lets me take her for a walk and gives me lots of cuddles so not required at present!

What are your aims for next season:
To remain injury free and run at 8min mile pace. 

Tell us a Joke:  If athletes get athlete’s foot, what do elves get?

                            Mistle-toes!

 

 

Essex Way 2009
Looks like Malcolm Muir just told me after finishing the long 9.5 mile leg 2 “You’re fired!”

 

19 year old Dave Bedford groupie replete with red socks

 

A very lonely late leg on the 1982 Southern 12 stage road relay in Wimbledon

 

Not to be outdone by Ernie, here I am being presented to Princess Anne

 

Johns follow up questions

It must have been heartbreaking not to get the full Oxford blue. Who makes that decision and what was the background to it?

 

Selection was a bit of a mystery. I think there was an Oxford don from the Oxford Blues Committee made responsible for cross country and athletics. He would make the selection alongside the Oxford University Athletic Club Captain.

During each of my three years I was ever-present at cross country races, normally finishing in the top six of Oxford’s contingent. When it came to the Oxford vs Cambridge event, I was travelling reserve in my final year, bumped out of the Blues team by admittedly better runners – including another subsequent Ilford AC member Andy Etchells.

 

I would have preferred to run the 5000 metres at the equivalent track event but had to settle for the steeplechase for the Oxford University Centipedes (2nd team). Ho hum.

 

Who did you like training with the most, and who did you like training with the least, and why?

 

The worst person to train with was Adrian Gilham alias ‘Spit the Dog’ – he gobbed and farted perpetually.

 

Our training group in the 1980’s comprised of over fifty assorted characters across the decade so this is really tough to single out one ‘best’ training partner. Mick Herring was metronomic; Derek Coates was chirpy and chatty; Gary Webb was consistently hard-working and fun; but the jewel in the crown was Andy Catton- he led by example and worked so hard giving all of us a target to aim at on each and every training session and race. Awesome!

 

I know that you listed U2 as one of your favourite groups ( WEMBLEY 1986 ? ) but I didn’t see any mention of your dalliance with ACIIIID !!! music in Newcastle. Do you still listen or was that a one off LOL.

 

That U2 concert attended with Gary Webb, Ernie ‘The Edge’ Forsyth, and Ian Bishop was brilliant…and I still haven’t found what I’m looking for!

At Newcastle’s ‘The Boat’ nightclub, after 6/7 pints I found the revolving dance floor in the main disco room too challenging so opted for the ACID dance floor where the rapid strobe lights made it look as though I was moving to the music!

 

I know that you are a fan of author James Harper but who would be your favourite author.

 

The author James Harper (aka Tim Heaney) is my current Chigwell Row training partner. He writes much better than he runs!

 

My favourite author is Sebastian Faulks (introduced to me by Club Elder – Gerry Pells) – his novel Birdsong is just magnificently moving.

 

Did your daughters Charlotte and Laura show any promise as young athletes or did they decide that dad was mad enough on his own.

 

Took them to a Met League cross country race to watch and they never got over having witnessed the sight of one of my team mates changing for the race – he was forever branded ‘ Micky Hairy BumBum’ thereafter!

Both my girls showed good style at school sports etc and I even ran with each of them in the Brentwood 3 mile Fun Run (raced alongside the Half Marathon), Both suffered with stitch and never forgave me for bullying them into continuing to run despite their discomfort. Charlotte now runs and cycles for fitness whilst Laura has been a dancer since she was 4 and does the occasional jog.

 

I noted your great performance at the Windermere Marathon, was it on the course that was later declared too short or was it ratified as true distance ( tongue firmly planted in cheek). did you ever do the UMBONGO FUN RUN which was Les Hislop’s finest hour

 

Les Hislop’s victory in the Umbongo Fun Run is the stuff of legends- a finely-tuned veteran athlete giving a sound drubbing to all the Lake District’s children and joggers. My excellent run in the Marathon (full distance and tough terrain) was rewarded by a kiss from the reigning Miss Cockermouth. Les failed to get a peck from either the beauty queen or my mum who witnessed his epic win!

 

Impressive PBs and training John, you would have CLEANED UP both in road and cross country teams in the current era. Why do you think we had such strength in depth particularly in the eighties.

 

Quite simple really. Andy Catton was the major reason that this club excelled. Local athletes and not-so-local athletes were attracted to the club by his performances. Coates, Meadows, Webb, Karl Hick and Adrian Gilham joined from school. Kevin Steere and Kirk Clifford transferred from Cambridge. Andy Etchells, Andy Nicholl, Peer Ingvorsen and I joined after moving to the area for work. Add to this the existing ‘ageing’ members Tony Nixon, Roy Gill, John Batchelor, Mick Herring, Bill Fothergill and the venerable Gerry Pells alongside wise old counsellors Frank Heaney, Howard Williams, Dave Jones and AlecTiffin who provided invaluable encouragement and advice.

The social life we created amongst our group (The Joker Crew)reinforced the ties which started in the training and racing sphere, enabling us to attract even more wannabe Cattons – Ernie Forsyth, Les Hislop, Les Roworth, Gary Murdock, Lee Malcolm, the Layzell twins, Glen Piper to name just a few.

 

We trained and raced for each other as well as against each other. Ordinary runners gradually progressed to being very accomplished athletes with personal bests that would see them right at the front of most of today’s races.

 

What is your impression of the Club in it’s current state and the effect that the ELVIS series of races has had .

 

After a period in the doldrums, I really think that the club is starting to punch its weight again. I have been really impressed with our young cross country boys whilst marshalling at races and hope that they continue enjoying individual and team success. The nucleus of the club has changed but the ethos is the same – it’s a family club and we enjoy each other’s company, encouraging each other rather than clambering over each other to achieve our own goals.

The ELVIS series of races may well have saved the club from sliding into the abyss. With the demise of the track team ten years ago and the dwindling fortunes on the road/country, the series enabled a consolidation of our competitive efforts in a social atmosphere (as well as boosting our Hilly 5 which commemorates one of Ilford’s loveliest members Newman Sargent).

 

Add to that the way Wayne Hick and Gary Floate reinvigorated the track and field team and it is starting to feel like we can have another ‘golden’ period.

 

What is your greatest achievement as a Veteran Over 40 in the running world ?

 

Being old means that I can no longer recall any great achievements so I hope that others can (message me !)

 

Unfortunately, my veteran career was blighted from the start by a recurring back injury. I was even outsprinted in a Met League race at Chigwell by Gerry Pells! My best 10 miler as a vet 40 was 65min 30 at Great Baddow, vet 50 was 67min 50sec in Belfast and vet 60 was 75min 10 sec in Exeter. Hoping to crack 90mins at 70 at this rate of deterioration.

 

Why did you join Ilford AC as opposed to another running club ?

 

When I moved to Essex in 1976, I looked in Athletics Weekly for the best club in the area and Woodford Green stood out. I introduced myself and joined a training group headed by Maurice Benn. They obviously were unimpressed and although I guested for them in several cross country races, there was no warmth. I bumped into my old Oxford University mate Andy Etchells in Epsom where I was representing my employers in a cross country race and it was coincidence that Andy had moved in with his brother in Ilford. He suggested we meet up for a run (I got the bus from my bedsit in Wanstead to Ilford Lane) and followed up with an invitation to Cricklefields where I was met with a Frank Heaney welcome…and Bob the Groundsman gave me a savaging for not paying my track ticket! The group were really friendly and there was no ‘attitude’ so I joined shortly afterwards.

 

What was your occupation in your heyday of the sport ?

 

I joined NatWest Bank as a graduate trainee manager and progressed up the ranks over 28 years until RBS took over and offered me voluntary redundancy which I snapped up.

Then took a part time job later in 2004 with Essex Police Sports Association as their Finance and Administration Officer, which meant I could run for Essex Police.

 

Worst Injury ?

 

Recurrent achilles tendon trouble in my heyday and back/sciatic problem in my forties.

 

Favourite running Shoe ?

 

Onitsuka Tiger Marathon (now Asics)

 

What school did you go to and did you do Athletics there ?

 

St Pauls Primary School, followed by Stand Grammar School for Boys.

Introduced to athletics, football and cricket at primary school where I was not quick enough for the sprints so was coached in hurdles for the local area schools championship.

 

Did all sports at grammar school – football cricket basketball and running as well as swimming and water polo for Salford City Swimming Club in my spare time.

 

As my studies / homework started to increase I needed to focus on one and cross country fitted the bill.

 

Happiest moment in running after your Great North Run Weekends ?

 

It has to be my run for Essex Police in the Police Sport UK 10 mile road race in Northern Ireland – it really spurred me on to think I could have a decent veteran career. In one of those massive coincidences, after that morning’s race, I bumped into an old Ilford AC mucker, Martin Layzell in WH Smiths in Bangor on Sea High St

 

What is your best ParkRun Time and where ?

 

Still haven’t troubled the parkrun officials – can’t run at that ungodly hour!

What has your current training been like in Lockdown ?

 

Probably better than prior to the plague. Longish run with Tim Heaney and Andy Catton at Chigwell on a Saturday, sharp 3 mile road run on Mon/Tues and 5/6 miles steady on a Thursday.

 

if you had your running career again would you change anything or do anything different?

 

Drink less the night before important races. Do a lot more stretching.

 

Fantasy Dinner party. 12 guests.

 

3 Runners – Les Hislop, Frank Heaney, Ernie Forsyth

 

3 From any other sport – Muhammad Ali, Bobby Charlton, Victoria Pendleton

 

3 Musicians – David Bowie, Annie Lennox, Stevie Wonder

 

3 Other celebrities – Clint Eastwood, Matt Berry, Ricky Gervais

 

Amazing Marathon PB – Can you tell us how you trained for marathons?

 

It was really the same as my normal winter training regime but increasing the long Sunday run – I completed a 30 mile run with Gary Webb because we took a wrong turn in Billericay – and adding a second run of 5 miles on two days of the week to build the mileage to 80/85 miles.

The aim was to dispel the fear of the race’s length and to make the race’s pace feel comfortably within your range.

 

Have you ever had to watch your diet or has running kept you trim?

 

I am blessed with a really fast metabolism and so the answer is no. When I had the back injury I went up to 12st 7lb because of lunchtime beers at work! Now tipping the scales at 10st 10lb which is the same as my old racing weight.

 

Did you ever get to see George Best play and would he be your favourite Manchester United player?

 

Frequently attended the Stretford End Paddock in the glory days and George Best was outstanding but nobody matched Bobby Charlton (Cantona came closest)

 

What is your opinion of the new spring loaded trainers that are setting new records.

 

Would you have worn them given the chance in your heyday or would you have been of the opinion that any achievement or PB you achieved was down to your own hard work rather than what you were wearing on your feet?

 

I despise cheating and these kangaroo shoes do seem to be outside the spirit of our sport. I would never use performance enhancing drugs or kit, and prefer to be the best that I can honestly be.

 

You mentioned Sumo wrestling as a favourite sport. Which 2 Ilford athletes would you like to see Sumo wrestle each other?

 

This could be a bit tricky so I will need to be careful.

Gary Webb in his current body against Gordon Crouch- that would be epic!

 

Is most of your training now on or off road? Tony Nixon once put his longevity in running down to racing/training mainly off road. Would you agree with the sentiment?

 

Tony Nixon is spot on – the road shock really does have a cumulative effect over the years. I prefer a nice golf course or country park these days. I would recommend to the younger athletes to stay off road as often as feasible.

 

Have you ever owned a watch that measures your pace and distance? Do you think modern smart running watches would have improved you in your heyday or is there no substitute for hard work?

 

I have a Garmin and always disagree with how far I have gone. As my aged eyes don’t work too well anymore I can’t read the watch in running so I still rely on working as hard as possible for as long as possible.

 

PS Thank you for all the questions – it has been a walk down memory lane for me and thanks to Billy for putting this initiative together alongside all the other excellent communication work he produces.

 

Question : While working with the Essex Police were you ever “leaned on” to turn out for their race walking team.   If so, how did you get on?

Haha – yes indeed I was volunteered to represent Essex Police in the annual Police Sport UK 10 kilometre walking championship in Birmingham in 2007.
What makes it even more ridiculous is that the race incorporated the annual challenge match of British Police vs Civil Service, so I wore the vest of British Police!!!

It was a baptism of fire and the speed with which the rest of the field accelerated away from myself and my Essex colleague (an orienteer also shoehorned into the team) was alarming.

Needless to say, I was last as the orienteer even did me for technique and speed in the last 50 metres – finished in 70 minutes (as did my walking career).

Or so I thought!!!

I was shamed into racing the 2km walk in the Essex Police Athletics Championships alongside the 800m, 1500m, 5000m and 3000m steeplechase -all on the same afternoon – crippling mainly due to the silly walk.

 

  Seb Parris  

Jul 312020
 

Name:  Sebastian “Beardy” Parris

 

Born:  8th may 1983

 

Date Joined:  September 2016

 

Personal Bests: 

 

track 

400m – 69.0

800m – 2.23.2

1500m – 4.50.68

3000m – 10.11.98

5000m – 17.53.9
mile walk – 9.26.17

2000m walk – 9.26.6

3000m walk – 15.12.50

5000m walk – 28.13.86

 

road

5km – 17.47

5m – 29.27

10km – 37.19

10m – 63.15

Half – 82.46

Marathon – 3.03.39 

5m walk – 39.46

7m walk – 64.55

10km walk – 56.57

15km walk – 85.24

 

First Club Race: Joined the club initially as a race walker.  First race was the Enfield walking league’s 1 hour badge race at lee valley stadium September 2016.  I managed to finish 2nd on my debut behind walking legend Graham Chapman and just ahead of my coach and Scottish international, Stuart Bennett.  I bettered 6 miles in the hour earning the prestigious badge too.

 

Favourite Race: I’ve raced for 3 decades now so have many great memories from every year I’ve been going! 

A few highlights….

Badminton Horseless trials 1998 – First dip in to my favourite event, cross country. My first ever race. Running the equestrian route of this famous horse course.  I wore jogging bottoms through water jumps!  Bad choice!

New York Marathon 2006. My 2nd marathon.  Managed a negative split!  Never seen crowds in a marathon like those lining central park.  Had to go see the park the next day as I couldn’t see an inch of grass due to the atmosphere on the day!

Man vs Horse Marathon 2014 – racing horses over a welsh cross country marathon is very intimidating! The runners get a 15minute head start.  I beat 13 of the 50 horses on the day believe it or not!

Hadrian’s wall ultra 2014.  78 miles from carlisle castle to Newcastle upon Tyne along the ancient wall.  Its got breath-taking scenery.  Took 51st spot.

Southern Cross country at parliament hill in 2017.  Honoured to run cross country in this iconic venue.  Still get Goosebumps any time I think of that start!

 

Notable Performances: 

5th European Aquathlon Age Group Championship 2019 in Romania representing Great Britain

17th World Aquathlon Age Group Championship 2019 in Spain representing Great Britain.

3 Essex county vests for race walking.  Notably a 3rd in the 3000m walk at the southern inter counties championship in Kingston 2017 (Essex men won the championship).  This earned me another Essex spot at the England Athletics county championship in Bedford that year.  Raced against current Great British Olympic walkers which was incredible.  I got disqualified with 100m to go but was on for a huge PB!

Essex 1 mile indoor track walk champion 2016 at lee valley.

Twice winner of the iconic Pednor challenge 2017 and 2018.  5 mile hilly race walk followed an hour later by a 5 mile run.   

Part of the mens 3rd team at the southern counties vets track final (1st in 2000m race walk)

 

 

Biggest Disappointment:  Not getting a sub 3 hour marathon at Chicago last year (3.03.39)  then failing to qualify for boston this year by 18 seconds off the back of that!  My final Abbotts marathon major still eludes me!

 

Typical Weeks Training at your peak: juggle a lot of disciplines due to triathlon and athletics is a fun challenge! Most days I double up with at least two triple days a week.  5 runs a week (40+mile) including: speed/tempo/midweek hilly run/long weekend run/brick off the bike.  4 cycles a week (100+miles) including:  3 20miles and a long day in the saddle ride or turbo workout.   3 swims a week (including: long slow swim/speed&technique drills/open water technique session. 3 strength and conditioning session at the gym.

 

Favourite Sessions:  never experienced track work until I came to join Ilford.  So I love a pyramid now!

 

Favourite race distance:  Must be the marathon as I’ve done 55 now 

 

Favourite event – Cross Country all the way!

 

What advice would you give our current crop of youngsters:  always remember the support, guidance and help you received when you came into the sport and be available to give this to someone else. Everybody needs a helping hand.

 

Who is the most Famous Athlete you Trained with or would like to train with: Not good enough to train with famous athletes.  In my professional career at bbc sport though I work alongside some great athletes. Michael Johnson and Colin Jackson are true gentlemen.

 

How would you improve the sport? – more regular televised coverage of athletics outside of the Olympics.

 

Favourite Athlete or Sportsman:  Chrissie Wellington (4 times ironman triathlon world champion)

 

What other sports do you follow: I love a lot of other sports.  Especially triathlon, rugby, American Football, mixed martial arts, darts and tennis.

 

Best Country Visited: Japan.  I love anime and ramen.  Ran Tokyo marathon in 2009.  Mind blowing, futuristic and so different from the western world.  Also Mongolia.  Wide open quietness and total isolation.  I’d definitely buy a yak on next visit!

 

Favourite Food & Drink :  Fajitas and a white Russian.  Not necessarily together!

 

Favourite TV Shows: Planet of the apes, 24, the prisoner, Ozark, breaking bad, the office (us version) and Curb your enthusiasm 

 

Last Film Seen :  The lighthouse with Willem Dafoe

 

Last Book Read : Mutiny on the bounty 

 

Favourite Band Singer:  The Cinematic Orchestra or Jurassic Five

 

Last Album Bought or Downloaded – Fourtet ‘sixteen oceans’ released march this year.

 

Last Concert Attended:  Electronic and techno whizz Jon Hopkins in march at the Manchester Bridgewater Hall.  Was meant to be seeing Soul legend Jocelyn Brown at the Jazz Café last month but covid stopped that!

 

Any Pets:  often look after my parents Irish terrier called Eilish

 

What are your aims for next season – Try to medal in the European Aquathlon Age Group Championships.

…………………………………………….

Finish line of the jungfrau marathon,Switzerland. 5900ft of climbing to the finish line.

Exiting the swim in 2019 european Aquathlon age group Championships in Romania

On the start line of the euro Aquathlon Championships 2019

I was a piece of art! Featured in martin creeds work 850 at the Tate Britian 2008. I spent a month sprinting 100m through vistors in the main hall with a group of 50 runners continuously for 8 hours a day, 7 days a week

Race walking the iconic enfield open 7 in 2017.  Longest standing 7 mile walk going

Kingsholm stadium 2017 at the southern CAU championships representing Essex

Mundon house trail 10km. Came 2nd and got very wet

Old club colours of barnes runners. 10km dorney dash in Eton.

Racing the Westbury white horse 5 mile over the iconice chalk white horse.

Tokyo marathon 2009

Tate britian – martin creed work 850

Blackpool marathon 2006.  Running in cotton, oh dear!

World Aquathlon age group Championships 2019 in Spain

The Grizzly 2011. 20 mile trail race in seaton,devon.  Very popular and always a sell out within hours of opening.my shoe came off in this bog!

Essex league 2019,great Notley

Inter london club championship walk 2018, Allianz stadium

Representing British triathlon

SEB ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

How did you get into Race walking ?

About 4 years ago while at work I was working on a programme that interviewed Tom Bosworth (current British champion) and I thought I needed a new hobby!  I liked the idea of taking up another endurance sport.   I Looked up athletics clubs with a race walking section on the internet.  Sadly these clubs are dwindling in numbers, but Ilford AC came up and it was local! I got in touch with Ilford’s long distance walking star, Ed Shillabeer who kindly pointed me to the brilliant walking coach Stuart Bennett.  Stuart coached me for a good 5 months before I let myself loose on a race!  The techniques of style are hard to master, believe me!

Why the beard – when did you first grow it and does it make you hot in races ?

Embrace facial hair people!  I first grew it when I was 16. Many moons ago!  Been running with it ever since!  I’ve never had a problem with it.  It makes facing the cold of Horseheath a breeze!   It actually has helped.  I won the Muddy Movemeber trail race in Swinley forest back in 2011! 

 

Why did you join Ilford AC from your other club?

I’ve never done anything better in running than joining a club.  Improvements are incredible in this setting.  I’ve actually been a member of two previous clubs a lot longer than being at Ilford AC.  I started my running career at Sale harriers up north while I lived and worked in Manchester.  Once I moved to London for my job I joined Barnes runners because I lived in the area.   After moving from west to east I needed a new club.  I tried to find the Ilford harriers group one Wednesday but got lost round Melbourne road  and gave up looking for them (?!?!)  I went for a run and met up with some East London runners and almost joined their club instead!!!

Worst Injury?

Three compression fractures to my lower lumber vertebrae when I was 17.  I was a passenger in my friend’s car.  Another car jumped a give way and we hit it at 50mph.  Off from college for months.  Still get problems with my back nowadays.

What is your occupation and how do you fit training around that?

I work as a television sound engineer for BBC news and sport.  The job has always been great for training.  The BBC produces output 24 hours a day.  I’m a shift worker so up all hours of the day and night for the job.  I’m happy to train at any unsociable hour!  Actually I love training between 11pm and 5am.  London is at its best! 

What is Your Training during Lockdown?

With races cancelled there was no pressure to commit to a schedule.  I began using the bike turbo trainer indoors with Zwift.  I love this training app; it’s very motivational and addictive!  I just ran for the love of the outdoors and ice lollies!  Been doing a lot of hilly cross country routes between 6 and 12 miles, finding beautiful countryside close to us.  Never been through so many farmers fields and seen so many stiles!  With pools only just reopening I have been doing a lot of open water swimming over in a beautiful Chelmsford lake.  I’ve got to shout out Sharon honey and her brilliant lockdown strength sessions I did.  The best thing the club has done in lockdown to motivate and bring people together.

Did you do school sports and were you any good?

I’ve always been a jack of all trades master of none!  I played football for a local club (Stratton Utd) and my school from 5 til 16 years old.  Goalkeeper and then left back. Won many league and cup trophies as we were a strong team.  A few went on to play for Swindon town and Bristol city.  I got selected for Cirencester Football academy which provides players for Manchester Utd youth teams but I didn’t fancy becoming a footballer.  I played a lot of rugby as fly half and full back.  Picked to train with Bath Rugby Union club for a period of time.  I played a lot of tennis as a lad in league events and even had a national rating.  I was 7 divisions lower than Tim Henman!  I was big into volleyball and played in a local league.  Most interesting though, I also ten pin bowled for 3 years in a ten pin bowling league!  The alley was on the B52s US military base at Fairford.  Entry and winnings were always in dollars and the base only served American food products!  

Favourite Football Team?

I regularly used to watch Swindon town, I even held a season ticket.  Football not my bag anymore though.

First Single and Album you ever bought?

I used to raid Woolworths for cassette singles all the time growing up!  Can’t remember my first single but I am proud to have helped get Mr Blobby back to Christmas number one in 1993!  First cd was Pete Tong’s Essential Selection 1998. I loved this album as really enjoyed listening to high quality digital sound for the first time!  Did you know I bought the first Travis album on minidisc from ‘our price’!  A fond goodbye to both those relics! Nowadays I collect hip hop, funk and soul vinyl.  Got over 4000 records.

What is your stretching regime?

Roll around on my mat most nights while I watch the Real Housewives of Orange County.  Judge me all you want.

 

You must have been so disappointed when you were disqualified for your race walking race where you were on track to get a great PB. What was the reason they disqualified you?

Really disappointed! I was in a strong field.  I knew I had to walk a PB just to stay with the pack.   As I’ve not been a walker since birth but a runner instead, I have a lot of bad habits that runners bring to the sport!  I got a red card from all 4 judges! If you’re going to go out, go out in style!  All disqualified me for bent knees.  A classic runner to walker trait.

Your piece of art event, how did you get to be part of this exhibition? What was it like doing it?

I answered an ad from a sports agency. They needed a pool of 50 runners for this instillation.  I love art exhibitions and running so thought I could help!  I had to go for an audition in which I had to prove I could run 100 meters in 30 seconds then rest 30 seconds then run again and so on for 30 minutes straight. Martin creed is a big art name (won a Tuner prize) so we were all sponsored by puma and had free physio care from British Athletics.  It was an amazing piece of timed running as I was in a team of four athletes who needed to start running every 30 seconds continuously.  I had 30 seconds to get up the stairs to the hall, then had to look at a large stop watch and sprint on a timed  cue then I had 1 minute to briskly walk under the Tate Britain through service tunnels back to the stairs to go again!  We did 30min shifts for 6 to 8 hours.  Here’s a link to seeing it in action https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U8Fl45-DFw

Your marathons are just amazing. Has your training changed over time preparing for each marathon?

Yes. A lot! A marathon is a personal battle.  No two runners train the same for the mammoth task. You have to mould your prep and can’t copy others.  I wear more suitable clothes nowadays for a start!  Nutrition has developed a lot as races have gone on.  I’m a lot more interested and obsessed with in my ‘in race’ fuelling. I’m very race recovery savvy nowadays to.  I can refresh and go again very soon after now.

How much of a support is your partner (I can remember seeing her carrying your water at some far off ultra?) and where and when did you meet?

Narinder is very supportive and long suffering! We met 13 years ago at work.  She’s my own personal photographer at races!  She is a very keen and talented photographer and always muscles her way to the front of a crowd shouting my name!  We love to travel the world hiking together.  We’ve climbed a lot of mountains.  She’s fit and a good runner in her own right.  She once represented Ilford at the Horseheath XC.  She was first Ilford lady home. 

You have ‘Planet of the Apes’ down as a favourite TV show. What was your opinion of the remake of the original film starring Mark Wahlberg?

We all know it was terrible but if you are a true sci fi fan you love rotten remakes regardless.  Wahlberg is famously quoted saying they ‘set the franchise back a bit’!!!!!

 

The film / series are credited with dealing with both racial and animal rights issues. Do you think it did this well and what is your interpretation of the final scene (spoiler alert) when Charlton Heston discovers that he is in fact on a future Earth rather than another planet?

That final scene is iconic cinema history.   What made Taylor’s final plight even more shocking and this scene even more incredible is that the CGI was revolutionary for the period.  So believable is the image of the statue of liberty, audiences couldn’t believe how they could have buried it apparently!

Vinyl, CD or download/streaming?  

Vinyl all the way.  Feel the groove!

I remember your proud Mum introducing herself as ‘Sebastian’s mother’ at the Marathon Water station. Does she get too many of your events and is she the only one that still calls you ‘Sebastian’ (I assume she doesn’t call you beardy!!)

My mum is a legend.  She’s never called me Seb or Beardy, always Sebastian!  She’s not on social media so I doubt she even knows my nick name!  Not only has she come to many of my races to support me she along with my partner was my very dedicated support crew during my Norwegian ironman.  She is very fit herself and we were meant to run her first 5km earlier in the year but corona halted that. She will be back!

Other than Parliament Hill what are your other favourite Cross Country events?

Really enjoyed the Southern’s at Braemar Park, Brighton.  It’s got everything – large hill climbs and tight turns.

Have you ever done a Cross Country that was colder than Horseheath?

Yes I have!  I ran a trail race in early January once over in Guildford where I had to break the ice in the stream crossing.  It cut my legs to shreds and came 8th!  Also I’ve climbed Kala Patthar (18,514 feet) in the Himalayas with the temperature at -20c (-32 with wind chill!).

You are good at many events. What would you say you are ‘best’ at?

That’s very kind to say but I’m not the best at any of them!  I’m happy with my swim/run game at the moment.

With the fact that you do compete at many disciplines, is your training generally ‘event specific’?

Yes training is very event specific.  Even though I race alot I have some personal goals so I train to those.  I train as much as I can and that usually gives me a good base fitness for other events regardless of goals.

Are you continuing to aim for the Boston Marathon?

Yes.  Focus!

 

What is your view on mass participation running events (London 10k, Adidas city runs, Havering Half etc) as opposed to the club focused smaller events?

Sport is about comradery and praise so mass participation events are a brilliant way to achieve this in the running world.  I love small club races nowadays as I’ve spent many a year doing large scale 40,000 runner races and getting organised is far more exhausting than the race.  

If you could have attended any Olympic event in history and met the winner after what would it be?

2012 London Olympics men’s 800m final.  David Rudisha was phenomenal.

You have Cross Country down as your favourite event. Which Ilford vest is often just in front of you pushing you to hang on (if any?)

Our friend Gary Coombes!  Not only is Gary a lovely chap but he’s an incredibly fast, disciplined and decorated runner.  It’s an honour and pleasure to just watch his calf’s every race!

Seb, well done on your career to date, great achievements .  What would you say is your best event?
I don’t feel I’m good at any event, but I feel things are going best presently in aquathlon.  My 1km swim and 5km run transition has come on greatly.
how many times (if ever )have you been disqualified for “lifting”  i have seen many action shots of walkers who clearly have both feet off the ground yet still win medals, just how efficient is the judging at Championship events.
Race walking is a very complex sport and incredibly technical.  I’ve only ever been disqualified once and all cards were for a bent knee, none were for lifting.  If an athlete ‘lift’s’, they are generally very quick.  Maybe I don’t lift because i’m just not quick enough!  Unfortunately lifting is a commonly judged fault at the front of a championship race as an increase in speed sometimes can’t be achieved by some walkers without the feet being airborne, with is wrong.  It’s so obvious in some photos but very hard to judge to the naked eye by the officials due to the leg cadence in race walking being incredibly high and the judges get no replays of the action.  A lot of sports are now using the forth official for video replays and I cant wait for a new judging Techology to be introduced at the Tokyo Olympics.  There will be sensor pads in the athlete’s shoes.  If both feet leave the ground at the same time, the shoes will light up red to alert the judges the athlete is lifting.  Great idea.  Alot of fast walkers will be disqualified, and these athletes will need to go away and focus on technique again in their training.

 

  Ernie Forsyth  

Jul 242020
 

NAME ERNIE FORSYTH

DATE OF BIRTH 3RD OCTOBER 1954

JOINED NOVEMBER 1985

 

FIRST CLUB RACE                  
This would have been one of the Metropolitan League cross country races

 

P.B’s          

Can’t find any track times as I mainly ran road and Country but I couldn’t get anywhere near the track team due to the outstanding athletes in the club at the time.
I did manage some vet track 800m and 1500m races.
I actually won a ‘C’ race at Watford.                             

5 Miles 28.40 Hillingdon  
10m 58.58  Rainbow 10 
Half Marathon 78.50 
Marathon  3.04 Glasgow.

 

 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES   
Offas Dyke 15 mile Fell race in One hr 56.
Glasgow Marathon 3hr 04m  
Club x country championships on old course at Hainault. I finished as 4th  Ilford scorer and beat many of my clubmates in awful conditions but a really good run.
Cambridge Half Marathon in 78.50 and Rainbow 10 in 58.58.

Many of my best runs were achieved in Thursday night burn up 9 mile sessions with my friends and heroes messrs Catton, Mackenzie Coates, Layzell twins, Gary and Mick Webb, Stuart May. Lee Richardson Les Rowerth , Meadows , Lewis Dunbar, Mad Man Murdoch. Gerry Pells, Tim Heaney  and our Mentor and all time great Mick Herring.
Surviving training sessions with all these legends was a great achievement.

Essex U14 1st team road race walking champions 1968 (Essex Beagles)

1st Junior team Royal Navy X Country championships 1972
Club President 2012 (olympic year)

1st Marathon Athens 1985  3h 52m

 Silver medal at 1996 Essex Vets road relay with legends Mackenzie, Nixon, Catton, running last leg (no pressure there)

 

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT  
Not winning Gold at 1996 Essex Vets road relay, lost a winning lead on last leg, although i equalled my PB

Failing to break 3 hours for the Marathon , despite being in really good condition, particularly Glasgow in 1987 when i suffered from cramp in  calf at 22 miles whilst averaging 6.50 miling . very disappointing. i thought that there would be more opportunities but a fall in the 1989 London cost me again but i enjoyed both races.

 

TRAINING AT MY PEAK           
Monday  Easy recovery 6 or 7

Tuesday  Track session Cricklefields. Varied sessions. 400  600 800 1000  800 600 400 was always fun  20 x 400 was a killer

Wednesday 7 or 8 easy
Thursday     9-10 squad run usually at fast pace
Friday rest
Saturday     10 or more group run over country or road if no race
Sunday        Long slow run depending on race targets

 

FAVOURITE DISTANCE            
I loved the X country, the sense of camaraderie and us against them was always a great incentive. winning 12 man team North of Thames trophy was brilliant, I was recovering from injury and ran in borrowed shoes as one runner never turned up. Great  team spirit, great day

 

FAVOURITE EVENT                  
5K  5M road  and League x country

 

ADVICE TO YOUNGSTERS    
Always be willing to listen to advice from the OLD WRINKLIES, you can pick out the bits that may help you, also don’t be afraid to speak your mind. always try to be positive and enjoy your athletics, we only have one life don’t be afraid to live it and love it. everybody is special.

 

MOST FAMOUS ATHLETE I HAVE TRAINED WITH            
It was great having a run with Eamonn Martin and Olympic Walker Roger Mills, but you only have to train with Andy Catton to fully grasp what competitive running is all about. I would have liked to run with Jac Buckner or Steve Jones

 

IMPROVING THE SPORT      
More grass root funding, better facilities and support for Junior athletes. LIFE BANS FOR DRUG CHEATS.

 

FAVOURITE SPORTSMAN       
Billy Mills Olympic 10k Champion. Native American runner an inspiration.

 

OTHER SPORTS                    
Spurs fan, for my sins. I follow most sports. I love boxing and all big Championship events that involve Great Britain but I wont watch Motor racing.
I was a football Referee for many years and was fortunate enough to referee at every top London ground. I am a Spurs fan but loved going to West Ham’s Boleyn ground. great atmosphere and we were always well treated

 

BEST COUNTRY VISITED    
Mexico is my favourite place, the people are so friendly. they really live their lives and love it. Cuba was a great place to visit SAMBA WOW

 

FAVOURITE FOOD                 
Clam Chowder 
Sea Bass 
mixed ice cream   
nice cold beer or wine 

 

FAVOURITE TV SHOW      
Sopranos. Boardwalk Empire  Sons of Anarchy  True Detectives  anything really funny. I like watching Biographies 

 

LAST FILM SEEN                   
Richard Jewell.  Directed by Clint Eastwood

 

LAST BOOK READ                
Wokini  – lessons of a Lakota by Billy Mills. ( a journey to understanding happiness and self understanding)

 

FAVOURITE SINGER            
I love most music from old standards , rock and roll , the blues . One of my current favourites is Luke Combs but my favourite song last year was Dance Monkey by Tones and I.
Music soothes the soul  but Elvis will always be king

 

LAST ALBUM BOUGHT         
What you see is what you get   Luke Combs

 

LAST CONCERT ATTENDED 
Grand old Opry  in Nashville USA . different but really enjoyable bit of music history

 

ANY PETS                             
I had a German Shepherd called Max who sadly died which broke my heart, I am considering getting a Border Terrier to run with in my retirement

 

AIMS FOR NEXT SEASON   
To  enjoy my running , hopefully injury free, support the Club and it’s fantastic members, they deserve my best efforts .
To enjoy my life and family to the full, every day is a gift.

 

JOKE                                     
Five rules for men to follow for a happy life

1 it’s important to have a woman who can cook, help out from time to time and has a steady job

2 it’s important to have a woman who can make you laugh
3 it’s important to have a woman you can trust, who doesn’t lie to you

4 it’s important to have a woman who is good in bed and likes to be with you

   

5  IT’S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THESE FOUR WOMEN DO NOT KNOW EACH OTHER OR YOU COULD END UP DEAD 

 

 

 

 

refereeing at White Hart Lane

With my 2 sons at Twickenham

one of my favourite memories 8am after training
run in hills, Croatian Island, no cars, run , swim
in Ocean and lovely cup of tea. PERFICK

 

 

Holeymans at Lunch after Valentines

 

 

Steve Alan Dairmuid and Jim after Valentines

 

 

Last of the summer wine 1996 vets relay reunited

 

Seb Steve and Sam Ilford SAL meeting

 

Just to make Billy Jealous – The legend that is Sir Trevor Brooking

 

Me and Lee Richardson at Hilly 5

Derek Coates and Howard Williams Thrift Green

1970 with Mum and Dad I won a trip to FIFA World cup

12 man North of Thames team winners MUDDY

Martin and Mick battling out hilly 5

1972 royal navy junior team winners. Billy would kill for those shorts

Met League X country, hot day thus normal running shoes

Receiving an award from Princess Anne on behalf of save the children

2009  2 days before my cancer op, great day with great friends

 

Premier ref Mark Halsey we had same Cancer at exactly same time

me, mum and 3 sisters with football award

Beverly Gull 10 team winners. Les Hislop Martin Etchells
Brian Meadows Gerry Pells ( sponsor) Beverley Gull (Paralympian)

Dave Jones Me Alan Lovett Jim mcnamee Gary Webb Dave Bull Andy Catton Lee Richardson John Platt Martin Layzell

I was lucky to beat these 2

 

Chelmsford Half ( long course due to poor marshalling ended up doing 14 miles in 80 mins)

Richard and David racing at Southend

 

Flying back from Glasgow marathon 1987 top Ian Bishop Gary Webb Dave Bull
Me Newman John mackenzie ( picking a winner)

1st Marathon in Athens. love this picture , looks like i won it LOL

John Mac Me Frank and Tim Heaney

 

Martin and Mike Layzell Roger Mills and Newman

 

ERNEST ANSWERS

 

You race walked in a strong Essex Beagles team (including ex-Ilford’s late Colin Young).  Any highlights to recall from such times, and why didn’t you press on with “pedestrianism?”   We know you’ve race-walked for Ilford AC in the Essex League.

I really enjoyed my young race walking days with Essex Beagles. We were lucky enough to win many prizes including the Essex junior title which was raced over a course in Chigwell.
I have fond memories of the old Beagles training hut at Hainault which is now a housing development. The major memory of those days was always finishing behind Ilford great Lawrence Dordoy who I got to know very well when I eventually joined Ilford AC. I stopped race walking when i started work at Plessey in Ilford in 1970 and joined mates football team before joining the Royal Navy in 1972.
I was very lucky to meet some great people in my race walking days, my coach Bill Fortune, Colin Young and Steve Gower (Ilford) were always encouraging, but one of my fondest memories was attending a service call at Colin Young’s flat in Ilford to repair his washing machine, I spent 10 minutes repairing his machine and an hour talking about Ilford AC and race walking. Colin was a lovely man, like so many of the Ilford greats that we have lost.

I cannot finish this section without mentioning Dave Ainsworth and ” Pavarotti in the Park”, what has a former RAF man and veteran race walking stalwart got to do with the world’s greatest Tenor, I hear you ask, let me explain….
Dave found out about my successful walking days and would continually be “ASKING”  me if I would race again, I eventually relented and agreed to a “one off ” race for Ilford around South Park, which also happened to be the night that Pavarotti sang in Hyde Park July 1991. Two things stood out that night, 1 it absolutely poured with rain all night  2. I had forgotten how hard race walking was, never be fooled into thinking it looks easy , it isn’t and my shins hurt for weeks after.
Still at least Dave was good to his word and didn’t ask again

  

All ex-servicemen have a few yarns.   Any more sporting tales from your time in uniform?

As any ex servicemen will confirm, we all have many “yarns” some serious, some funny, some heartbreaking, some suitable and some not so suitable but one sporting one that makes me smile and taught me a serious lesson about ego, here goes. 

During my training days at HMS Collingwood I ran x country and played football ( you got more time off if you played sport). I was training with the boxing squad in order to improve my strength and positioning . I was approached by the boxing coach ( who was also in charge of the Royal Navy football squad) and he asked if I could help out with some sparring, so seeing a chance to impress him with my enthusiasm ( and possible selection in the next football squad ) I agreed. I’m pleased to say that I held my own for a few sessions and the coach asked me to represent my weight division in the upcoming championships, I started to panic and told him I didn’t think it was a good idea as I was so inexperienced ( SCARED)  He said that I had sparred all the other possible contenders who had entered the championships and that with a bit of fine tuning I would do very well, so I agreed. Championship fight night was in the Main exhibition hall and it was packed to the rafters, the bouts were flying by and it came to my turn (PETRIFIED)
I was the first to enter the ring to loud cheers and a lot of jeers, then my opponent entered the ring, he was a Kenyan sailor about 6 feet 4 with arms like an octopus, I turned to the coach and said ” Who the #### is he, I didn’t spar with him” the coach said ” He’s a late replacement, sorry should have told you” I spent the next 9 minutes being continually punched in the face without getting anywhere near my opponent and getting punched in the face REALLY HURTS. Needless to say I Lost the bout but learned a valuable lesson about ego . I did go on to represent the Royal Navy at football but NEVER BOXED AGAIN.

 

Tell us how you became a football referee and what was the most prestigious game you were involved with?

I qualified as a referee after refereeing my son’s teams on Sunday mornings in the early 90’s. I was very fortunate in my career to referee some high profile names and managed to referee at every major London club ground. I always enjoyed refereeing representative games where only the best players were selected.
John Terry and Paul Konchescky were always a pleasure to referee but Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole were the best young players I refereed. I was fortunate enough to referee Sir Trevor Brooking and many other former pros , in their veteran years, but Sir Trev was a real Gent.

 

Also can you name who was the most famous player you had the pleasure of refereeing?

Has to be Sir Trev, but Danny Cowley, former Lincoln and Huddersfield manager was always a great talker and a great challenge

 

Why did you originally join Ilford AC

I joined after my first marathon (Athens) and realised that I would need help to improve, also I had poor advice at Essex Beagles so joined Ilford instead. 

 

Tell us how you became great friends with Our old friend Newman Sargent and your favourite running memory of him?

Newman and I share the same birthday, he was a unique character always dressed in the best gear, full of advice and loved Bruce Springstein. We probably met at the track , Chigwell or more likely his second home Roger Mills’ shop in Wanstead. Thinking of him always makes me smile, I miss him a great deal. My favourite running memory of Newman would be of him marshalling at the top of the golf course at the hilly 5 singing my name as I struggled to the top. He was a gem.

 

What was your worst injury ?

Worst injury , I broke my left leg in 3 places ( so I don’t go to those places anymore LOL)  seriously, i was out of action for a year. My recent shoulder injury has lasted over a year and is very frustrating because of the pain but there are a lot of people in worse situations so we just carry on

 

First vinyl Single and album you bought ?

My first single was a 78rpm from a second hand shop. Elvis Presley Hound dog . My first album would probably have been a K TEL various artists rip off album.

 

Favourite Park Run and best time ?

I haven’t done a Park run yet but would probably do Valentines or Barking if I did

 

What was your day job ?

I am a qualified Domestic appliance engineer, specialising in Gas, Refrigeration and wet goods ie washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers

 

What school did you go to and did you do athletics at school ?

I went to Robert Clack, the only athletics we did were on school sports days but I did represent the school at X country ( nobody else liked it )

 

Favourite Cross Country Course and race ?

My favourite courses were in the Metropolitan league, I always found Claybury to be a challenge and most enjoyable along with Welwyn, proper courses

 

Can I ask how long was Ernie in the RAF, where he was stationed and what job he did while he was there?
I was actually in the Royal Navy submarine service, I qualified in radio communications. I served from July 1972 to March 1981.  I served on submarines HMS Courageous and HMS Warspite, both Nuclear submarines involved in the Cold war years.
I was also lucky enough to work for the Director of Naval recruiting for a short time, travelling the country putting up displays, it was a great way to see the country.
My last “posting”  was due to be HMS Conqueror in 1980 but prior to joining her in America I tore a cartilage in my knee and somebody else took my place. the significance of this is that HMS Conqueror was the submarine that sank the Belgrano during the Falklands War. I wouldn’t have liked that on my CV. Fortunately I left before hostilities broke out in full.

 

As a fellow team member of the winning Ilford team in the music quiz, can I ask do you have a large music collection, or do you just listen to a lot of radio? Do you/did you attend a lot of concerts and if so what was your favourite?

I have always been a music lover, my mum and dad used to sing in the pubs and our house was always full of music of all kinds. I love concerts U2 at Wembley, Bette Midler at O2 , Carmen at the Royal Albert Hall (opera), but my favourite is Marvin Gaye at the Royal Albert Hall 1976 mesmerising, I still get goosebumps listening to him

 

A question I always ask – Your fantasy Dinner party. 12 guests alive or dead (obviously alive for the party). You can choose 4 sportsmen, 4 music artistes and 4 others. Who are you inviting.

Billy Mills ( 10k Olympic champion)  Bobby Moore, Jimmy Greaves,  Joe Calzaghe.  
Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin , Johnny Cash.
My Dad , Bob Monkhouse Jackie Kennedy ( just to wind up Frank Sinatra)  

You are always encouraging others. In your time at the club does anyone stand out as someone who really encouraged you to push yourself?
I could name everybody, people are inspiring without really knowing it. I was so lucky to be part of the ” Grasshopper group” led by our great master Mick Herring. Dave Jones was always a great encouragement to me and my 2 sons. The example set by leading athletes and a desire to get better was a major driving force, nowadays it is the example set by all our Club athletes, young and old, they are my inspiration

Did your 2 sons ever share your love of running, and what do they do for a living? Do they live close? Have you any daughters (that you know of) Are you a grandparent?

Our sons Richard and David represented Ilford at track and x country as youngsters, it was an integral part of their upbringing and the people at the Club have played a big part in their lives and in making them the fine men that they have become.   

Richard is an Electrical Supervisor, listing the new Tottenham Stadium as one of his successful projects.
David works as an I.T recruitment Consultant.
We are lucky that they both live locally in Hornchurch, so we get to see them regularly. We have 2 delightful grandchildren Evie and Zach both love sport, Evie is a good stylish runner who loves ice skating but Zach loves riding his bike and football. Hopefully in the future I can introduce them to running.

 

Tell us more about your winning a trip to the 1970 World Cup. What was the competition, what games did you see, and did your mum and dad go with you?

1970 trip was fantastic. I entered a competition run by David Coleman. I had to name an England team that I thought could win the World Cup and any tactics that would achieve that goal. I went with my Dad for 3 weeks . we saw all the games in England’s group including the classic Brazil game, we then saw the quarter final and Brazil’s semi final before going to see the greatest game in World Cup history Italy v Brazil  absolutely amazing. I think this experience started my love for Mexico  

 

Second last photo was uncaptioned (probably the Editors fault!!) It looks like you were with Teddy Sheringham and a young Gary Neville?                         

Martin and Mike Layzell with me and Lee Richardson. We used to call Lee , Harry Lime, from the Third man TV series, because he always seemed to finish 3rd

 

Behind every great man is a great woman. Tell us how you met Mrs F and how long you have been together?

Yvonne was a friend of my youngest sister Eileen so we knew each other since she was about 15 although we never went out as a couple until 1978 when we went to a football presentation dance . We married in March 1981 ( I think, hope she doesn’t read this).

 

Today’s runners have so many gadgets to measure time, distance, heart-rate etc and also trainers that give them a speed advantage – yet it’s fair to say that before all this technology runners at clubs were far quicker. Why do you think this is?

A very difficult one to answer, would those athletes have used the technology, probably. I think it was different lifestyles, different training methods, more quality athletes to train with and race against, do people really want to push themselves if they are constantly looking at times, distances and predicted results. I can only say that when I was competitive I trained and raced with athletes and groups of different abilities, we only used wrist watches, but not always and raced every race as if it were the last. I believe competition brings out the best in us, with or without technology

 

On a related point. Athletic / running clubs have far more ‘casual runners’ today due to the increased interest in the sport. Is this something you are pleased with?

I cannot say anything negative about anyone who puts on a pair of running shoes and does their best, what is the difference between a good Club runner doing 5 miles and a ” casual runner” i would say that the “casual runner” will put in as much effort as the Club runner and will feel the benefit just as much. In this day and age ” running snobbery” is a thing of the past  SPORT FOR ALL. Watching a slower runner give their all is as inspirational as watching an Olympic athlete     

 

What is your view on mass participation running events (London 10k, Adidas city runs, Havering Half etc) as opposed to the club focused smaller events?
Serious Club runners will target Championships and rightly so, there is a place for bigger “mass” events as they inspire an “in it together ” feel good factor, especially when fundraising. It is unlikely that these runners will enter or even qualify for events aimed at “serious runners”. It’s like Pick n Mix there’s something for everyone. THANK GOD

 

Have you any favourite Great North Run stories you can share – that are repeatable ?

The Great North Run was a classic enjoyable weekend, that’s why we kept going back. My PB was 7 pints of Newcastle Brown and pizza then ran 82 minutes next afternoon.
There are many stories that can’t be repeated but a couple spring to mind.
One particular year we were at breakfast waiting to go to the race when we noticed staff running to and fro, the manageress came in and said I’m very sorry we can’t do any cooked breakfasts today as the Chef has died . I called out to her ” I hope it  wasn’t anything he ate”. It seemed to break the ice and everybody laughed. Later that afternoon she was serving behind the bar, which was getting very busy, when she slipped over, revealing her Black and white knickers, somebody said “you can tell she supports Newcastle, look at those Black and white Knickers “.
Gerry Pells dancing round handbags, Andy Catton beating Peter Elliot’s protege to the vet’s title, Quiz hosted by John Motson, out sprinting Frank Bruno, sharing a hot  tub with Olympic champ Lynn Davis , sitting in the VIP tent ( don’t know how Newman swung that one) watching and talking to them, driving back cramping up in Richard ( the beast) Long’s car, beating Gary Webb International athlete (3 weeks after his hernia op LOL) GREAT GREAT MEMORIES.

 

How did you manage to train when you were away for months 20,000 leagues under the sea ?

Training at sea( underwater) was impossible except for some jogging on the spot and static exercises, hence when we returned to base after long trips we were all very  unfit and took weeks to recover, it took some even longer after all the beer that was consumed on the train from Scotland to London.

Do you listen to Chris Country radio?

Have you seen Like Combs live?
Didn’t know about Chris country, but will look it up and give it a go. Unfortunately C2C was cancelled this year and Luke Combs was headlining. We have tickets for next year and he has agreed to headline again really looking forward to that 

  Jordan Hinds  

Jul 182020
 

Name – Jordan Hinds

DOB – 06/04/2001

Date joined Ilford and why – I think I joined around late 2015 because I really enjoyed running at school.

Personal bests – 

200m 29.57
400m 62.28
800m 2m 20.40
1500m 5m 10.85
Parkrun 20m 42
5k 20m 32

 

First club race – I think it was an 800m race at a Woodford Green Open Meet.

Favourite race – My favourite race was the Essex Schools in Chelmsford because I came 2nd and achieved my personal best for 800m.

Notable performances – Coming 2nd at Chelmsford and qualifying for Inter Counties where I came 3rd. Coming 1st in the Mini Marathon trials at Lee Valley. Coming 1st in the Valentines Park 5K and getting my personal best for that distance and winning a prize.

Biggest disappointment – One of my biggest disappointments was coming 9th in the Essex Schools Cross Country because I just missed out on qualifying for English Schools and I feel like I could have done better in that race. On the day of Inter Counties I was ill and unable to make up for it. I was running well during that time and believe I was capable. After that, I regret not balancing school and running better because I ran many disappointing races as a result and realise that I could have done better. I hope I can make up for it now as I want to achieve the times I used to, and I also have more free time.

Typical weeks training – I train with the club on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and I also swim.

Favourite session – I enjoy pyramid sessions and 400m sessions such as 10x400m on the track. I enjoy hill training at Hainault Forest in preparation for cross country.

How would you like to improve the sport – It would be good if local councils could do more for sport in schools to stop talent going to waste.

Favourite athlete – One of my favourite athletes is Dina Asher-Smith because I met her at the Muller Anniversary Games and she was really nice to me.

What other sports do you follow – I have been swimming from a young age and really enjoy it.

Best country visited – Spain

Favourite food – Indian food

Drink – Lemon and lime drinks

Favourite TV – Killing Eve

Last book read – Frankenstein for a uni essay

Last Concert – I saw Beyoncé at Wembley in 2016

Any pets – 2 cats – Bertie and Chester 

 

    

 

JORDAN ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

What training have you been doing during lockdown with tracks closed?

I have been training at the park with the club.

Were you a great runner at school and did you race there? What school did you attend, and did they encourage your athletic ambitions?

I enjoyed and was good at running since primary school. I raced a few times, but my school did not hold or enter many competitions. The secondary school I attended was Loxford. My PE teachers acknowledged that I was good at sports, but my school did not really prioritise sports which was slightly disappointing.

As you also like swimming have you ever thought about doing a triathlon?

Yes, I would like to try one, but I have not had the opportunity yet.

Greatest influence on your running career?

My mum because she was the one who took me to the club in the first place.

Why did you join Ilford AC as opposed to other clubs?

I live close to the club and once I joined, I really enjoyed going because of the coaches and club members.

What running shoes do you wear for that track? Length of spike?

Trainers – Nike Zoom Fly 3

Track spikes – Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 – length of spike – 6mm

Favourite cross country race?

It is hard to choose my favourite race. One cross country race I always remember was Gloucester Park because it was snowing so much that day and I also did quite well in that race.

Are there any cross country races you have particularly disliked?

I cannot think of any races that I disliked. Racing 8k the first couple of times was quite challenging because I was not used to racing that distance, but I did not dislike the races.

Have you ever experienced a cold Horseheath cross country race?

Yes, I have raced there a few times. It is definitely the coldest and windiest race.

Greatest rival at Ilford AC and from other clubs?

As there are no other girls at Ilford who are my age and race the same distances, I do not have someone from the club who I am constantly competing with.

Do you spend quality time stretching or foam rolling as part of your regime?

Yes, I have an electric foam roller which is really helpful.

Are you strict with your diet or do you basically eat what you want?

I need to improve my diet, but I do eat fairly healthily.

Ultimate running ambition?

I would love to get much further in running but right now my ambition is to achieve a new personal best for 800m.

What are you studying at university and how has the first year gone, other than being interrupted by Covid?

I am studying English and History. The first year was good and I am happy that I now have a lot more time to focus on running. I enjoyed going to the university cross country races and being introduced to new courses. It was disappointing that the university track races had to be cancelled though and that the year was cut short.

Your mum attends lots of your races, is she your biggest supporter?

Yes, she really enjoys watching me race.

As you are getting older now, do you think you will try some longer races on the road? (when racing returns)

Yes, I think I will enjoy road racing because people say my running style is better suited to the road and track rather than cross country. I enjoy cross country as well though.

You mention Indian food, can you cook yourself and if you had a dinner party what would you make?

I am not that good at cooking to be honest so I am not sure what I would make.

Well done Jordan on your achievements so far. How do you think your needs are met by the club, do you feel that you get full support and if not, how can that be improved to help you reach your full potential?

I am very grateful for everything the club has done for me so far. I feel like it has done everything it can to support me and help me reach my potential so I cannot think of anything it could improve on.

Favourite distance on the track?

My favourite distance is 800m.

Does your lane position in a race affect the way you start a race, and do you have a favourite lane?

As I usually run 800m and 1500m, the lanes do not impact me that much. When I used to run 400m, I liked being on the outside lane/lane 6 because I liked the feeling of being in front even though I technically wasn’t. I know the middle lanes are meant to be better though.

If you don’t become an international athlete, what job would you most like to do after university.

I am still thinking about what I would like to do. Even though I am studying English and History, I am still very interested in careers in sports.

Very few females of your age group compete at cross country, and you are often the only club female member in some races. Is it difficult pushing yourself when for large stretches you may be on your own, and why do you think there are so fewer females competing at cross country, especially in your age group?

Even though I do not train with girls, I feel like I am still able to push myself during training. I am familiar with the girls from other clubs because I regularly compete against the same people which is helpful as I know what I should be aiming for. Roughly knowing what girls are the same speed as me and who are quicker helps me push myself during a race. I do not really know why there are not many girls my age who compete, I do not think cross country is promoted enough in schools or tv which could be a reason.

What was your opinion on the cross country race distances being increased for females to bring them in line with the male distances? Would you have preferred to leave it as it was?

I do not mind running longer distances, but I would have preferred if it remained the same because I am more familiar with racing shorter distances and know how to approach them better. The shorter distances also allow me to use the speed that I build up during track more as well. But I feel like I will enjoy the new distances once I get used to them.

If you won a prize to attend just one event at the Rio Olympics, with a front row seat and you got to meet the winner – what event would you pick?

If I could have gone to the Rio Olympics, I would have chosen the men’s 100m final so I could have met Usain Bolt. Even though I prefer longer distances on the track, he is the athlete I would have wanted to meet most.

How old are your cats and are they indoor cats or are they allowed out? Do they get on with each other?

They are only 8 months old and are allowed out. They mostly get along, but they also fight sometimes.