Allen Leigh
I found Allen's blog "Old man running" and was inspired that despite his age he is running and enjoys it very much. And now I have an interview with him, let's have a look:
1. Why did you start running? Why not other sport?
I grew up in a small town in Southern Utah. I walked everywhere. It was a mile to school, and I made the trip four times each school day. It was half a mile to the library and other stores. My friends and I walked out of town to the hills on the east and the desert on the other three directions to play. Walking several miles was nothing to us. During four years of college I had no car and walked about three miles to the Engineering building, making that trip four times each day. During the summers I worked at a resort hotel as a bellhop and was walking all day long. During my last summer as a bellhop, I worked at the North Rim of Grand Canyon and was on my feet all day. In addition, I hiked 90 miles that summer in my off-hours, including a 26 mile rim-rim hike with a 6000 foot elevation change.
During my fifth year of school, I bought a car, and that led to my decline as a walker. After a few years, my feet started to hurt when I was walking a lot. I went to a specialist who said my muscles were weak and that I should do what ever I wanted to do to strengthen them. I had experimented with running a bit during the previous couple of summers at National Guard summer camp, so running to strengthen my muscles was a natural thing to do. This was in 1973, a time when running was catching public attention. I've been running every since.
I didn't try another sport, because I was born with defects in my skeleton that made me very awkward. I could only jump about 3 inches. I couldn't do quick movements. My high school only had sports programs in football, basketball, and baseball, and I had played all three sports with friends and knew I had no talent for them. I quickly learned that I could run and that I enjoyed running. Running was a natural evolution from the walking that I had done most of my life.
2. Do you think that running changed your life? Do you feel more active, happy :)?
Yes, running has changed my life. In fact it has saved my life twice. In 2004 I was in a serious auto accident and was in the ICU for three weeks in an induced coma. Twice the doctors called in my family because they didn't think I would survive the night. Four years later I had blood clots (related to the auto accident). I finished a 20 mile week with a 7 mile run on Saturday. On Monday I could only walk 100 feet before I had to stop and rest. I didn't go to the hospital for five days; I learned later that blood clots only need 24 hours to travel through ones legs and into the lungs. I was 73 years old, and had I not had a strong body I likely would have died from the clots. I run for the enjoyment of running. I do some racing but not a lot. I just run because I enjoy it. In addition to that enjoyment, I have a sense of accomplishment from my running, including four marathons.
3. When did you start running?
Age 38.
4. What are personal records for 5k and 10k?
At age 46, my PR for the 5K was 19+ minutes and my 10K PR was 40:35.
5. Do you participate in races?
As I mentioned above, I do a few races but not a lot. The races that I enjoyed the most were the four marathons at age 46 and 47. I enjoyed all four races and had no pain or injuries. Two days later I was back on the roads. My marathon times ranged from 3:59 to 4:12. I also enjoyed running a weekly 2-mile fun run in my home town in Massachusetts. No ribbons or medals. Just a fun thing to do.
6. What would be your top (1 or 5 or 10) tips for beginners?
Start by walking. Don't run until you can walk for half an hour with no soreness or pain and no huffing and puffing at the end. Then, follow the 10% rule to increase distance or speed. Run heavy/light to give your body the rest it needs between heavy runs. Heavy/light refers to the stress on your body, not to the effort you expend. Most of your running should be Long Slow Distance. Speed and hills should only be done once a week for 10-20% of the run. Pain is a signal from your body that it can't handle the stress it is receiving. Don't try to run through pain. Stretch to loosen and to strengthen your muscles before and after each run.
7. What are your running goals?
To enjoy running. To run and walk until I turn over 3 digits in my age and then to keep on going.
8. How often do you run (per week)?
Three times. Eventually I'll add a fourth time.
9. What is running in your life?
It's an important part but not my whole life. I have other activities that I enjoy.
10. If you were asked to describe "RUNNING", what would you say?
The technical definition is having both feet off the ground. I consider running and jogging the same, although I frequently use the term jogging when I'm going very slow. Running is being free. Free of the technology and complexity of the 21st century. Running is my time to commune with myself. To think. To daydream. To enjoy nature.
11. Do you have your favourite runner?
Doc George Sheehan. I have in my training site an essay by him, and that essay was the first thing I read in the running literature. That essay has been my guide in my 38 years of running.
12.Why do you write about running and what is the most interesting thing about running to you?
I have a natural inclination to teach people the basics of running, and I have two blogs to help me do that: Old man running and Running injury free.
Thank you, Allen, and I hope you run when you are 101 years old :)