Busy
Well looks like the forum has started with more Neil bashing. Firstly, for those who are genuinely interested in what I do apologies for not posting sooner, but I have been very busy since I got back from the race. My blogs have always been updated regularly, so have no guilt in that respect and I have always done at least one per week. Agreed my training updates has been poor, well non existence in the last few months. However I have been injured for a long time over the summer and I have put in my blogs that I am limited to what I can do, and as such been running pretty much an hour a day. I will endeavour to make amends and add my training tomorrow. I just haven't had the time with my German lessons and my new job, so again I apologise, but for those of you on the forum who happily slag me off, you're being a little hypocritical if you are on one hand telling me I am a washed up has been (or never been in your opinion, and fair enough you are entitled to your opinion) and yet on the other hand you are saying that you want to read my training?! Interesting double standards there I think.
I am under no illusion that many people seem to dislike me on here, and again that is fine, I can admit and accept that. I can even go as far as to say before I was perfect I was conceited....;-) but frankly I don't care what you think. All that matters to me is that my friends and family are proud of me and that I know deep down I have achieved the best I could. Maybe not the best in your opinion, but as I have said when been slagged off before, I love this sport and the opportunities it has given me. Running and competing all over the world, whilst meeting and getting to know all cultures, people and making friends is something that cannot be measured.
Again as I have said before, no-one other than those close to me know of the sacrifices and commitment I have put into this running lark, so to sit there and judge me, well usually I am not quite so outspoken, but on reflection, you can all go take a hike!
If through these forums I can at least give some help or God forbid inspire only one person then as far as I am concerned then that is great and worth my time. A really nice guy came up to me at the relays and said how much he enjoyed my blogs. He didn't need to say that, and I appreciate him taking the time. When I told him I might think about stopping (as I get it.... I'm old) he happily told me that was a bad idea. Nice comments like that make you want to carry on.
I have no idea why this sport seems to be full of people who hate, back-stab, complain, argue, take the piss and generally get in the way of its development. I am quite happy to leave the sport graciously for the youngsters, but I enjoy running and when I am fit am still one of the best around. If that is a crime then so be it, and if I am a washed up has been then I'll take running 3.39 indoors this year over all you lot who seem to think I have nothing left to give.
Sp8y
Comments On "Busy "
Take that last post back!
Sp8y Posted on October 29th, 2009Something wrong
This is the third time I have tried to reply to the above posts but something is not going right.....admin lads?
Sp8y Posted on October 29th, 2009I wrote quite a bit too, so instead of putting it on here again, I shall write my response on my next blog.
Sp8y
Advice
Again, I much appreciated you saying hi. Always nice to speak to other runners who put themselves through the same thing I do, and I would welcome anybody who wants to come over for a chat. The internet has been great for passing info and making the world smaller, but it does seem to have created a world where people seem to think they can have a pop at somebody without really knowing them. At the end of the day surely it is about us as sportsmen enjoying this sport and hopefully competing to the best of our ability. I don't think that anyone goes to a race wanting to run badly, or to get slower every year, yet when we get slower we are expected to just stop what we love doing?! We are all in the same boat, so lets not have a go at each other, lets use these sort of platforms to promote and push the sport to a better level.
Sp8y Posted on October 28th, 2009With regards 800m training, I wish I had done more miles when I was younger. I am not advocating loads, but I found quite often my pb's came early in the season and then I was unable to hold form through the summer.
At Uni for example the BUSA's in May were a focus so suppose it helped to be fast at that time, but come August and I was spent! I used to run cross country when I was younger and it is great for strength and all the top 800 m guys from the golden age did. The likes of Coe were knocking out 50-70 miles a week depending time of year, so 12 miles is woefully inadequate I think in terms of your base endurance. Remember that you have to have the stamina to get through the rounds. I have found to my detriment that I have managed to get through and then fail badly the next day due to not enough miles in the legs.
Having said that you need to find a balance. Couple of years ago I went up to 90 mile a week and lost all my speed, just couldn't kick in a race. You have to keep in touch with the speed whilst working hard on the long stuff!
Sp8y
Hi,
800m monster Posted on October 26th, 2009I am an 800m monster, but I only do 12 miles a week. Do you have some advice for me please sp8y?
Glad the comments were appreciated! Must admit I was a little worried I might come across as "some running stalker" as Matt puts it, but since you were passing by anyway I thought it made me seem slightly less mental! It's a sad thing that it seems weird to say something complimentary to someone, yet so many people feel completely happy to come on here slating people.
Anonymous Coward (aka "nice guy") Posted on October 26th, 2009Anyway, keep up the good work! Your blogs are always a good read and when I'm surrounded by people in the office who don't understand why I would want to run when I'm not planning on a marathon whilst wearing a tutu or why I would bother putting myself through rounds of physio all of the work you guys do reminds me that there are other people out there doing the same. The sad truth is post uni, the world isn't the most runner-freindly place so the whole running community thing that sites like this and 8lane create definately serve a purpose!
Kind regards
Nice Guy
Thanks
Thanks for the kind words. 1500 is still my focus yes, well that is what I want to race, but the injuries are limiting my options at the moment. With that in mind I intend to run longer distances in training for now and stay away from the track. It is one thing running at 5 min/mile then 4 min/ mile, and that is where the problem lies with my Achilles right now, if I go too fast they flare up, so I am just enjoying running and seeing where that will take me. Age isn't actually a problem for me that much, it is more about having the opportunity to run for my country. If the policy is in favour of the youngsters then that is fine, but not if they are running slower, and not if they make exceptions for some and not others. If that option to pull on a GB vest is taken away (which I believe it is unless you are in the IN crowd, and when you are like me, not way and above better than everyone) then it takes away the one incentive I have left, thus making me feel what is the point?! Having said that, I still drag myself out the door everyday, in pain, so I guess I wouldn't do that if I wasn't planning on racing in the future! So for now I still think I can run faster. Anyone who can run sub 3.40 Indoors should be able to run way faster out, which I haven't so I still have unfinished targets!
Sp8y Posted on October 22nd, 2009Sp8y
Neil
Guest Posted on October 22nd, 2009I dont know you and have never met you.
However, what you have acheived throughout your running career is something to be really proud off and never let anyone tell you any different.
Running is such a difficult sport mentally and physically and you have had your fair share of success with more to come I hope.
What I would say is, I can sense that you keep thinking about your age etc and retiring etc and this frustrates me.
You should be thinking about improving you still can - how old was Johnny Gray when he was banging out a 1m 43 800m for example or Lagat now. You need to stop focusing on your age and almost using it as an excuse and I dont mean that as a criticism.
Get yourself settled in your new life relax in training as you get over your injuries and then give it a real go. I think you can do it.
If the desire is not there anymore then just run for fun and sit back and look at a successful career without any regrets but I hope you have one last real go for it. Ime not sure age is the problem here I think you are beginning to doubt yourself which is understandable when so many choose to criticise but who are these people? Listen to the people who know you best and especially yourself.
All the best
I love reading ur blogs, I was gonna tell u so at the relays but I didnt wanna come across as some running stalker lol. Its crazy how your training isnt going great at all at the moment yet you can still comfortably do such a fast leg, is 1500 still ur main focus?
Matt Posted on October 22nd, 2009U know I will always love you Sp8y......even more than your new girl. Who has been attacking you?
Sharpy.................................... Posted on October 21st, 2009xx