Recreational runner? Well, without talent I ran 1.50.49 for 20 miles (5.30 per mile) in 1978 Finchley '20' - and was invited the following year to don the Surrey vest in the Inter Counties 20 mile race, by Derek Crookes of Belgrave. I ran around 60 miles a week, and did reasonably well for someone the wrong size (6.2) for running with not very good biomechanics. I never did track sessions or formal sessions. I just enjoyed running 5-8 miles on Wimbledon Common, with weekly races as 'speedwork.'
I also gained a scholarship to Mansfield University, Pennsylvania, in 1980-82, where I ran the school indoor 3 mile record (14:42) at Bucknell in February 1981. That record, still stands in Mansfield. My coach in Mansfield was Ed Winrow, but being the maverick I concede I am, did most of my training on my own. I was never a 'group person.'
I was also a club champion in the South London Harriers 'Gibb Cup' in October 1978, covering the hilly 5 mile cross country course in 25.50, beating John Roberts, the multi surrey cross country champion on that day.....thank you, John, for that unique opportunity.
I am not pretending to be anything other than what I am. I worked hosting Kenyan runners for several years in the South of France when they came there for competitions, so there is knowledge about their lifestyles and diet and other things, and that is not counting my two visits to Kenya and Ethiopia. Have also worked with athletes in Morocco, visiting Ifrane and Casablanca, in 1996. I still correspond with some of those people, and many consider me 'le grand frere' (big brother). Not trying to blow my horn here.....but this needed rectification.
It is sad that although I concede what Eddie did was wrong - people appear to want more 'blood' and are outraged about what he did. He cheated, but he did not deliberately take money from people. The EPO use enabled him to run faster, and he was not the only one.
Why is Eddie so vilified, yet in other sports where doping is common, the ones who are caught are not subjected to that type of psychological aggression? It is sad for the guys who lost money, but once again, it is also sad that Eddie has been subjected to such venom. It is really disproportionate to what he did. Take any judge or unbiased legal guy and they will, probably agree with me.
Ghost in Saudi,
www.kfupm.edu.sa