Perseverance - a Runners Greatest Asset.

We see athletes in their moment of golden glory and assume that it was plainsailing getting there.

But when you listen to the TV interviews following it is clear that the path is seldom smooth. I see this in all levels of runner when aiming at improvement, not just the elites.

Personally, l had my left foot run over in 1978 with 4 breaks in three metatarsals. I was out for 6 months, and when l got back training could only take my weight on the foot on steady runs. Which led me to try a marathon in 1979. I progressed through to the AAA Champs in 1981, where l finished 3rd in 2.16.

A team of 6 was chosen for the World Marathon cup that year, but l didn't get selected despite 3rd in the National Champs.

In 1982 l was 3rd in London in April with 2.12, but didn't get chosen for the European or Commonwealths, due later that year. So l had to run the AAA in June.

Before the AAA's marathon at Gateshead l finished 6th in the UK 10,000m track on a hot day. The heat off the track burnt the soles of my feet and l got bad blisters. So l dropped out of the trials.

However, with some luck l got a late selection to the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, due to some selected runners getting injured and dropping out of the England team, freeing up a place on the squad - getting me a slot.

I got Bronze at the CG and went on to win London six months later.

I got there, but it was far from a straight line of progress. Expect running throw you many obstacles, but you will nearly always be rewarded by perseverance.

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