Vintage King’s running rules
TEAM Bath AC’S endurance coach Paul King would be too modest to make the claim but, like a fine wine, he and his senior clubmates are getting better and better with age.
Maybe not quicker and the aches and pains certainly last longer than they ever used to, but when it comes to delivering silverware then one can only salute the success of King, Andy Mullett and Tom Hutchison at claiming the silver medals at the British Masters Cross Country Championships in Tonbridge, Kent.
King describes his fellow medallist and himself in the over 65 and under 74 age group as the ‘seriously old blokes’ but hey, they are still active and running and in King’s case, as an active coach, very much leading by example.
So, what is the secret of their success?
“The secret of success for the ‘mature’ athlete is first and for most to retain your passion and joy for your sport,” said King.
“Accept that you’re not twenty something anymore and train smarter rather than harder. Therefore, for running that means fewer total miles and perhaps more cross training in the form of cycling, spin or swimming.
You also need a degree of luck avoiding major joint injuries, or in my case have an excellent orthopaedic surgeon to get you going again.
“Running with buddies, ideally with a club, helps retain your motivation and fuel, albeit friendly, that competitive spirit.”
Hutchison agreed that belonging to a club has been essential to his success as a veteran runner.
“My big step was joining a running club, (then) City of Bath AC and now Team Bath AC,” said Hutchison.
“I started to meet and form friendships with other runners, I got help with training and getting over injuries, started to enter more races and I watched my times improve and felt better about my running.
“Now I am part of a network of runners. We do social runs, we train and we race together.
“We also put a lot of organisation energy back into the club that got us started.”
Mullett also stressed three other key elements to ensuring longevity in the sport.
“Consistency - just keep going, week after week,” said Mullett.
“Moderation – don’t bash out high mileages if you want to sustain a long running career (and finally) terrain – don’t always run on the roads, try trails.”
It is a recipe for success and the silver
medals proudly won by King, Hutchison and Mullett are proof that this recipe cooks up a real treat.
In addition, Dan Jones finished a very commendable 19th overall and eighth in the over-35s age category.
WITH the Bath half-marathon postponed, several team Bath athletes switched their attentions to the DB Max Chippenham Spring 10 miles road race on Sunday.
Leading the way home was Steve Rose in tenth overall (61mins 01secs), placing him third in the over 50s age category with Phil King just behind in
12th (61:22, fourth M50).
ROBERT Eaton clocked 1hr 17mins 55secs in the Paddock Wood half marathon with Brian Glynn just behind (1:18.27).
TEAM Bath’s Emily Griffiths finished top woman in the 2021/22 Wiltshire Off-road League series.
ELSEWHERE, Team Bath athletes turned out to help the ever-popular Bath Skyline Park Run on Saturday with pacers and marshals and generally greeting everyone who attended.
The athletics coverage in the Chron is sponsored by Running Bath.