GNAC training session filmed by Sweat Elite running video co.
Okay it’s not the opening sequence from Saving Private Ryan, but our Linn Park training sessions do provide plenty action and determination (go on, think storming up that hill) and no little amount of coaching and running ability, so we don’t blame Sweat Elite for wanting to video us doing what we do most Sunday mornings. Linn Park’s a scenic outdoor backdrop for any movie, it must be said (thank you, Glasgow Parks, and Friends of Linn Park).
Sweat Elite’s founder/director Matt Fox spent over an hour with us, taking in warm ups/downs, drills, and the 10 X minute on, minute off session. Among those interviewed were Erin Wallace, prior to returning to altitude training in South Africa; Neil Gourley, home from his Stateside training base; and Hamish Armitt, not long back from EuroCross success with GB&NI in Dublin.
But set aside the internationals: the interviewee that Matt, an Australian, was most taken with was probably U13 Ethan Scobie. “Ethan came up to me at the end of the session, to say he enjoys the videos we put up,” commented Matt. “That makes it all worthwhile for me: such a young runner taking inspiration and insight from our work, and he lives on the other side of the planet from my home country! I’m so pleased he came over to chat.”
READY IN A WEEK
Finished, edited footage should be available to watch within a week, and we’ll be in good company: Sweat Elite’s archive includes video on the training methods of the world’s best athletes. Recent pieces feature Eliud Kipchoge, Paul Chelimo and many more big names. Matt Fox has an 800 PB of 1:48 and a marathon PB of 2:24, so he’s way more than an athletics fan with a camera.
It should be pointed out that Sweat Elite is a subscription channel – find out more at sweatelite.co Matt was accompanied by Colin Thomas of Bella Harriers and West End Road Runners , who facilitated the visit, so hats off to Colin.
ROLL THE CREDITS
Many thanks to everyone who turned out for the session. It was brilliant to see some of the more mature graduates of the Linn Park Conservatoire d’Endurance doing their stuff (I’m sure your very presence inspires younger athletes as much as any video): cheers Lynn and Charlotte McKenna, Calum Young, Nikolai Gajic, Duncan Robinson and Ben Shaw, as well as the aforementioned Erin, Neil and Hamish. Always good to see you guys, we’d put you on the cast list of any movie, any time.
Finally, some endurance running-related movie titles:
TRUE GRIT
FIELD OF DREAMS
THE NATURAL
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
SPEED
DOCTOR ZHIVAGOFASTER
ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MILE
JURASSIC LINN PARK
DOCTOR STRANGELOVE OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE BOMBING UP HILLS
THE EMPIRE BISCUIT STRIKES BACK (that’s one for after a session)
FORREST GUMP
and of course IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Any more suggestions?
THE END (for now)
Report by wordsmith Croy Thomson . Thanks again Croy.