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Steve Kenyon

Steve Kenyon is one of Britain's great distance runners who is the last British man to win the Great North Run back in 1985 and went to nine World Cross Country Championships. In a very tough era to win the UK championships Steve won the AAA Championships in 1982 but had to sadly pull out of the European Marathon race in Athens during the race. Steve also came 3rd in one of the biggest Marathons in the world (New York) and has some pretty handy Personal Best's to his name including a 28:18 10k road time, 46:43 10mile best, 61:31 for the Half Marathon and a 2:11.40 for the full 26.2 miles. Currently on crutches RunnersLife was able to catch up with the former GNR winner to ask some questions on his racing days including some of his training......

Steve Kenyon leading the way - 0525

Questions

How did you get into running?

Like most people I started at school, I was no good at football etc, then one of the teachers started taking the kids XC. Within 4 months I was town champion for my age, and the rest as they say!.

What was it you liked about the sport?

Initially because it was something I was good at and the more I trained the better I became, then joining Bolton U H was another step.

Having competed in 9 World Cross Countries which one sticks out for you?

In 1972 I ran the senior National although still a Junior, most people remember THIS National the weather changed dramatically in a short period of time to blizzard conditions, I worked my through the field and finished 8th, two weeks later the World Cross was at Cambridge and the weather was totally different.... lovely and warm, and I died!! Still tired from the National and I finished in the 60s I think.

Obviously 1980 in Paris were I finished 17th was a good year along with my good friend Nick Lees we packed well and won the title which was the last England team to do so.

How did you find trying to peak for the trial (very competitive) and the world cross itself?

I never ran well early season ( October-December ) in all those televised big XC events, from Crystal palace to Gateshead etc, at that point I was putting the miles in and I wasn't really suited to that type of XC, but come January I was usually ready and the season picked up there for me... Northern, National, and World Cross is what myself and my coach Gordon Surtees were aiming to peak for, and we usually got it right.

Was the cross country a big part of your plans back then?

Most definitely, twice Northern champion, National 3rd ( twice ) 4th,( twice ) 5th, 8th, 9th etc im proud of my National record. This was THE big race of the season the one you worked towards to make the England team,the depth of talent then was amazing....were is it now ?

What did you feel was your best distance at your peak and why?

Probably 10 miles and the half marathon, I did reasonably OK at the Marathon and I am convinced that if the 1982 AAA Marathon had been at London I could have run maybe 2 minutes faster. We were running into North sea winds at one point which slowed us right down.

What was it like to win one of the biggest races in the world at the Great North Run?

Very surprising at the time, totally unexpected as I had a terrible 1984 where I retired for a while and ran  just 40 miles a week had a non surgical procedure on my hamstring. I recovered  from that and then started building up again. I retired from doing marathons, dropped the weekly mileage down to around 90 and on race day everything just fell into place. I felt great from the start just floating almost, I broke away around 7-8 miles just started to feel it slightly at 12 miles but I was clear at the finish. I still think I broke the course record by 1 second though!!. 

Did you think then you would be the last British male to win to win it until present day?

The following year in 1986 Mike Musyoki won from Steve Jones (I was 3rd in 61:31) and that's when the race started to become more 'global' with great African athletes and other nationalities taking part making it more difficult. Jon Brown has come close if I remember rightly, at the moment only Mo Farah has any real chance, which I'm sure will happen one day... maybe 2013?.

What was it about running that you loved and made you train all year round?

Just getting out there in the fresh air alone with your thoughts or doing a long run with a group of team mates, one of my pet hates is seeing people running with earphones and an i-pod. I have even seen them with an i-pod and they are running with someone else for goodness sake!! running is about taking in all the sights and sounds (and smells) of being outdoors, you can listen to music at home.

Whats your thoughts on current day distance runners and do you have any advice?

I must confess I am a little out of touch with the current crop, what I do know is that UK distance running is in the doldrums, but Europe is as well, I ran 28:20 for 10,000 metres back in 1976 and it wasn't very good then, two or three years ago it would have ranked me 3rd in Europe.

What were the best things about racing in the 70's/80's?

I retired in 1987 but I had one of my best years in 1986 at 34/35 years of age. I ran a 10km road pb of 28:01 and half marathon 61:31. Winning GNR in 1985, AAA Marathon in 1982....even earlier (just ) most people don't remember I finished 3rd in the 1979 New York Marathon..

Do you still run now?

No, I had some surgery on my left foot in November and have been in plaster and on crutches getting better slowly.

Are you still in touch with any of your 'old enemies' on the race circuit?

I have been introduced to the wonderful world of Facebook and keep in touch with a variety of people including Nick Lees, John Graham, Dave Slater, Steve Binns, Tony Staynings etc, its good fun.

What advice would you have for any athletes out there now?

Train harder.

What do you know now you wished you knew when you were racing/training?

For me.. that I didn't have to do 120 miles a week.

1980 National XC at Leicester - Steve Kanyon, Nick Lees, Barry Smith, Ken Newton, Bernie Ford.

 

Interval Work

How many times a week?

Once or twice.

Examples of key sessions?

2 mile easy 6 x 800 2 min interval 1 mile easy

2 mile easy 8 x 600 90 sec interval 1 mile easy

2 mile easy 5 x 1200 4 min interval 1 mile easy.

Did you change surface dependant on time of year?

No indoor work. my training runs always took in a variety of surfaces on and off road.

On own or in a group?

Apart from my early days it was always on my own.

Hardest session?

probably some of the track sessions (I did'nt like the track )

When would be the last hard session before a race?

Depending what the race really but was usually the previous Sunday.

How long do you start to taper for a race and was it hard to work out what was best for you?

Probably by Wednesday/Thursday.

 

Mileage

Big mileage didn't work for me personally, I would certainly do the Sunday long run mixed in with other distances at a  varied pace. 

I didn't really change the training too much through the year, my training runs were pretty consistent all year round with the longest run usually on the Sunday with around 20-22 miles.

I had a varied weekly schedule worked out by Gordon.

What would be a typical training week for yourself?

Sunday -  am 20/22 miles

Monday - am 5 miles pm 6 miles

Tuesday - am 6 miles pm 2 miles easy 12 x 300 ( 50/51 secs ) 20 sec int, 2 mile easy.

Wednesday - am 6 miles pm 8 miles.

Thursday -  5 miles pm 6 miles.

Friday - 3 mile easy run.

Saturday - World XC Champs Paris 17th place in a winning England team.


Strength Work

I never did any sort of strength work outside of running itself.


Group training

In my early days it was very important at that transitional time from Junior into the Senior ranks.

Did you find it a bad thing if trying to stick to your own plan?

No we had some rather 'brisk' sessions back then

Was your training group good if you had one?

Yes, a variety of abilities from International level to club runner.

Would you train with close competitors?

No.

Who were your core training group?

The great Mike Freary who was a major factor in attaining my Junior International XC vest 1971/72 and into 1973 Seniors, also Vince Regan, Norman Ward and Tommy Parr.

 

Racing

Did you go into races with a plan?

To win!!.

What were your strengths and weakness's when racing?

I was good on hills, leading 1978 National top of hill half mile from finish but with limited speed I finished 4th to Mcleod, Rose, and Ford..... need I say more!.

Did you race as a training session?

No

Which race had the best atmosphere you have raced at?

All the National XCs. Great North Run. New York Marathon.

Did you ever have superstitions before a race?

No


Abroad

Did you ever train abroad?

Only when I was there for a race.

Were you a fan of altitude or warm weather?

Never tried altitude training, everyone loves warm weather training!

What did you feel were the benefits of a training camp group?

If you have the Northerns, National and World Cross coming up that's all the 'focus' I needed.

Was there a place that stuck out for you on your travels?

From August 1977 untill August 1987 I ran in the 'Crim' 10 mile in Flint Michigan USA. I won the first one beating Bill Rodgers on a steaming hot day in 50:05. I then won it again in 1982 in a slightly faster 46:38 beating Herb Lindsay and Greg Meyer . I was invited back in 2006 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the race, I have some good friends there, Michigan and the Lakes are beautiful.

How did racing abroad compare to the UK?

Short laps, cabbage patch cross country as I call it, it just did not suit me, they were all early season when as previously mentioned I was still aiming to peak later.

Did you have a favourite race overseas?

Michigan as mentioned and New York


Rest / Recovery

Yes, during the summer holidays just drop it right down and recharge.

 

Comments On "Steve Kenyon interview"

great road runner just looked great and so easy

Guest Posted on February 13th, 2012