What does running mean to you?
Running is more than just an activity; it’s formulated my whole life since I was about 12. Now that I’m no longer competing, it’s a chance to unwind.
It’s a huge part of who I am.
What sort of running do you do now?
If everything’s alright and I don’t have any niggles then I’ll run three to four times per week. I run between four and seven miles at a time. But I haven’t run on the track for about 25 years.
Did you always know that, once you hung up the spikes, you’d become a coach/ commentator?
No I didn’t really. The hardest thing when you’re competing is to know when to stop. I had a quaint notion that once I stopped at international level I would take part in veteran’s races and keep running for my club and so on, but that never happened. The commentary thing was just an opportunity that came up – I loved it and haven’t looked back.
When you’re in the commentary box, do you still wish you were out there competing?
I used to. I used to find it very hard to disassociate myself from what was going on in and around the meets. In my commentary I try to reflect an athlete, but I’m obviously much further removed from the competitive side of it now. I would definitely miss it if I wasn’t there. I love athletics, I love championships and I love the smaller events as well.
When you’re commentating, do you get pre-race nerves?
Definitely with the big races, because nobody knows what’s going to happen. You have to be alert and aware – when there’s a big sense of anticipation I get nervous.
Do you have a favourite event to commentate on?
100m races are great. It’s a bit like being an athlete – you have to pace yourself for the event. In 100m you have to choose your words carefully because it’s over so quickly. But something like my own event, the 1500m, is the most engaging because you’re watching for so many different things.
What was your best ever run?
When I broke the world record for the mile in Oslo it felt way too easy. That’s not to sound bigheaded, but I think when all sportsmen reach the top of their game it just clicks and I crossed the line and thought, “Crikey, that felt good, but I could have gone quicker!”
What’s the greatest lesson that running has taught you?
Anything is possible. But the more boring message is that most people who succeed have succeeded because they’ve worked a damn sight harder than everyone else.
Describe yourself as a runner in one word.
That’s tricky! I’ll use two: bad loser.
Steve Cram’s company, Events of the North, organises the Sunderland City 10K and Half Marathon on 1 May 2016. Entries are now open at sunderlandcity10k.co.uk
