Danny Rose

Starting work at 16 and being desperate to get out of the house. Running seemed the easiest way.

5 mile Cross country probably suited me the best, I liked going up hills but hated any steep descents.

Also 5km on the track, used to sit in then try and kill the last 1000m. Did not have much of a sprint so had to have a gap at the bell.

Probably winning the Orion 15 and being the first Walthamstow athlete to do so. Sadly at the time you always think it is a stepping stone to something greater so it is only when you look back years later do you realise it was your ‘moment’. There were many races when you just lose out to someone and you think ‘if only’ and then in the 15 it was reversed, I was the one who won by about 10 secs I think from a bunch of Guys thinking ‘if only’. It now seems like the moment I will always feel very lucky I experienced.

Racing is a skill in itself and allowed me to beat people who were faster and more talented than me. That is what probably changed the most throughout my racing career, being able to hold on and push yourself beyond your fitness levels is something that only years of suffering can give you. So my approach to running was always to train hard for both physical and mental strength.

Take a look at this footage, all my favourites. Grew up with David Coleman commentary, so many fantastic Olympic races.

For many years most of my injuries were through falling over when running (sober), it was only when I was in my late 30’s did repeat ‘niggles’ start happening. I always tried to find alternatives if I could not run from static bikes to swimming. Mentally if I could not do either I would be pretty down.

Seems pedantic, but I always wished I was 6 inches taller, the number of sprint finishes I lost to people about a foot taller always grated. It was only through diligent training and preparation for important races could I hope to make up the physical difference. The first Junior Essex XC Champs I did, I was the only one without a full beard and chest hair – it always left me feeling ‘undeveloped’!

Do not get caught up in the ‘longer is better’ mantra. Racing up to 10km is the perfect enjoyable balance of allowing the body to train hard, race hard and recover without risks of long-term injuries.