Many of the team at athlete matters are runners, Clinic Director Duncan Mason has over 20 years experience as a Physiotherapist specialising in running injuries, he also has competed in the Elite field at the London marathon three times with a best time of 2:21. He is also now involved with coaching young athletes at Salford Mets AC, based at Cleveleys track.
We currently work with some of Britain’s top Endurance runners including Britain’s top finisher at the London Marathon 2009, Salford Harrier Andi Jones.
Interview with Andi Jones
How old were you when you started running and how did your running career progress?
Started running at 18 years old by wanting to run the London Marathon. This aim came from watching the marathon every April on the TV and a thought of “I can do that’. I entered my first London Marathon with an aim of breaking 4 hours. So did no training for it and headed off to London.
We currently work with some of Britain’s top Endurance runners including Britain’s top finisher at the London Marathon 2009, Salford Harrier Andi Jones.
Interview with Andi Jones
How old were you when you started running and how did your running career progress?
Started running at 18 years old by wanting to run the London Marathon. This aim came from watching the marathon every April on the TV and a thought of “I can do that’. I entered my first London Marathon with an aim of breaking 4 hours. So did no training for it and headed off to London.
Finished in 3hr 58mins so objective met. From then I kind of got the running bug and was already looking for my next race on the way home from London. Went on to run two Leeds marathons, the Manchester Marathon and two more London Marathons and also participated in the Tour of Tameside. A six stage, seven day race. Following on from this I got involved with East Cheshire Harriers and competed for them for a number of years on Road, XC and Fells. Around nine years ago I changed club and coaches and joined Bob Merrell at Salford Harriers.I was looking for a greater level of competition and guidance and found this at Salford Harriers. Gradually training increased in quality and quantity, times started to fall and I started winning races in good times. I picked up a few England vests for the XC and Mountain running. In 2003 I finished 4th at the World Mountain Running Championships in Alaska, USA. I have ran at numerous European Mountain Running Championships and more recently represented Great Britain at the 2008 World Cross Country Championships, Edinburgh and in 2009 the World Half Marathon Championships, Birmingham.
What are your future ambitions in the sport?
It’s good to have ambitions and targets. I hope to run fast at the Virgin London Marathon in 2010 and get selected for either the European Marathon Championships in Barcelona in July or the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October. I want to continue to chip away at my marathon time and run a time which I know I am capable of doing so. I also hope to encourage more people to get involved with sport and athletics and try and put something back in to the sport to repay for what the sport has given me.
What training advice would you give to someone who wanted to take up running?
Running is the best sport for anyone to get involved with. With a pair of relatively good shoes it’s basically free! No gym membership needed, you can just leave your front door and run. If you want to get more serious or looking for a great social side of running as well there are always local running clubs to join who will welcome people of any standard.
Don’t think you need to be the next Radcliffe to join a running club. Find a running club which does the type of running you like, whether that be road running, XC, Fell running or track racing. There are plenty out there. It’s important to build up steady. Don’t go from no running to big miles because you will be injured within no time. A steady build up, following a carefully constructed training programme is the best thing to follow. I also believe in regular physio to help ensure you stay injury free and that you can get your best from yourself. You service your cars so it’s only right to service your body on a regular basis to ensure it works right.
Can you tell us about some of your favourite races?
Favourite races- London Marathon. Any marathon really but the atmosphere when running the London Marathon can not be matched anywhere else. Racing round the streets of the capital, being the first British athlete and having thousands of people cheering you on is awesome.
Any race where I am representing England or Great Britain. When you do any race you give 100% but always feel that added pressure when wearing the countries vest to perform even better.
I also favour any race in the Lake District as the place is beautiful.
