Have you always been a runner?
No, not at all! I started when I was 72. I’d been a member of a gym for a number of years and had a personal trainer who was a runner. Part of the training involved treadmill running, and she said why don’t you join a club? To which I said, “Don’t be ridiculous; I’m much too old!” But I had my eyes opened at Ware Joggers. I was surprised and delighted about how welcoming and inclusive it was. I thought it would be for a younger generation and all very competitive. There is that element to the club, but it’s also a very welcoming environment with a complete span of ages. There’s something for everybody – even somebody as old as me.
Have you run the London Marathon before?
I did London back in 2012. It was my first marathon and, after about three and a half miles, I developed shin splints. I thought, ‘Hell, what do I do now?’ I knew I couldn’t give up so I walked the rest of it. This year is my 80th birthday – a landmark of sorts – and I’d really like to run more than three and a half miles this time! I have a time in mind, but it’s not for public consumption as it’s fairly ambitious and I don’t want to have to defend to everyone why I didn’t do it!
What are the challenges of running as on older gentleman?
People are obsessed with the age thing, but I see it as an irrelevance. No matter what age you are, if you look after your body, you just go on. That’s what life’s all about. And the bonus of exercising regularly is that it allows you to do all the things you want to do to lead a healthy and happy life. In 2002 I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and I am convinced that my physical fitness greatly facilitated my treatment and recovery.
What’s your typical running week?
I run four times a week. On Saturdays, I do the parkrun; and when I don’t run it, I offer my services as a marshall. On Sunday, I either have a race or a long run. On Wednesday, I do a two-hour treadmill and gym session, focussing on the core. And on Friday mornings, I do about an hour of quite intense track work with my coach at Ware Joggers.
What would you say to any other older gentleman thinking about taking up running?
Do it! Age is just a number. If you do take it up, it opens up a totally new life for you: new people, new friends, new challenges. Running engages you – whatever age you are.
John Heywood is running the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon for Born Free, an international wildlife charity. Sponsor him here.
