Steven Prentice
Occupation: Electrical Engineer
Family: Live with Cindy and we have a baby son, Henry
Hobbies: Running, Blacksmithing, steam engines and life
Born: Just outside Middlesbrough, 1974
Favourite Song: Don’t stop me now (Queen)
Joined Bellahouston Harriers May 2010
A bit about me and why I run:
Why I started running:
In 2003, I made the offer that I would run the Great North Run with a friend if he did it too. I didn’t get a place, but he did. In 2004 we both applied and I got a place. He didn’t, but another friend did. I had no idea what I was meant to be doing withtraining (and probably still don’t), all I knew was that I should go out and run somewhere every now and then. My first training run was about 4 miles (29 minutes) and I couldn’t walk the next day.
My second race:
2 miles into the Great North Run my friend said, “This is OK, isn’t it? Shall we do a marathon?” Surrounded by 50,000 people, and not long into the race, it was easy to say “Yes”. Fool. 3 months later, and Christmas Eve, my friend let me drink several drinks before giving me a bit of paper. “I have signed up for this, are you coming too? I said, “Yes”. Fool. Boxing day I found this bit of paper: ‘www.msm.no, Tromso’ and the realisation that I had to run a marathon now. In Norway. In the artic circle. I still had no idea what I was meant to be doing with my training, all I knew was that I should go out and run somewhere every now and then and further than before. I enjoyed the marathon and wanted to do more races.
Towards the end of 2005 I made a decision to try to race every month. A monthly race gives me a focus to go out and train. I have run races all over the UK, from Dover to Glasgow and further north, plus a few international races, Norway, Holland, Canada, and Czech Republic.
Joining the Bellahouston Harriers
In 2010 we moved from Edinburgh to Glasgow. I was running round Pollok Park when I heard a shout something like “Oy, you!” – obviously at me or the shouter was mad. “Are you a member of a running club? Join us, I’ll knock your 10k time down by 2 minutes” (10k PB at the time was 37:10) – I think it was something along the lines of that. That Thursday I popped along for a session of running up a hill. I did OK and thought I would give it another go. A few weeks later I paid my money to join the Harriers.
Joining the Harriers has been good for my running. The training sessions force me to do sessions that I wouldn’t normally do. With good encouragement from each other and we are able to see how each other is progressing within the training group. The club has good training and a good social aspect too. The club gives me access to and suggestions of races and events. The training has made me a quicker runner, and I have knocked the promised 2 minutes off my 10k best time.
I sort of hit running by default, and found I enjoyed it, I like its simplicity where you can strap on trainers and a pair of shorts, and off you go. I never ran for a school in my younger day. I started running later in life.
My favourite runs are the races. My favourite races are the type where if feels like a bloke decided to hold a race, got some mates to marshal for him, stood at the front of the runners and his pre-race entertainment is something along the lines of, “Hello, thanks for coming. Run that way and first one back wins. Oh and err GO!” Sometimes there is a hooter or something. Below is a list of my best times and afterwards my favourite race for that distance.
That is how I come to be running today.
My current training schedule is:
Monday to Friday Run home from work, between 2 miles and 7 miles, carrying 4kg pack
Thursday: Club training session (as well as run home)
Weekend: Race or ‘fun’ training session.
Before Henry was born my training was pretty much:
Monday to Friday, four 10km training sessions, longer on the run up to marathons and longer races
Weekend Race or ‘fun’ training session
Training routes all depend how I feel when I put my trainers on.
My general attitudes to running are:
- I love to take part in races, and training is a necessary evil.
- If I can run half the race or run distance then I can finish even if I have to walk home
- Mental strength in a fast run is very important
- People watch races, and I have no idea why, but if they shout at me and encourage me then it is only fair to thank them as I pass
- Chatting while I run distracts me from any aches and pains running causes
- I believe that you get out what you put in, so I do train fairly hard
- If you can’t smile while you do something you enjoy, then perhaps you don’t enjoy it…
Best times:
2 miles: 10:53 (I think) (B) (Club 2 mile Time Trial)
4 miles: 23:43 (Only ever done 1, Southport)
5 miles: 28:25 (B) (Garscube Harriers 5 mile road race – only one I have done)
10 miles: 1:02:52 (none stand out as memorable)
Half Marathon: 1:18:23 (B) (Heaven and Hell or the Great North Run)
Marathon best time: 03:04:05 (Tromso)(OK I have run faster marathons but to get an official time of 3:4:5 is special)
Marathon PB: 2:53:43 (B) (Langdale)
5km: 0:18:28 (B)(Montreal)
(parkrun: 0:17:10 – parkrun isn’t a race is it?) (B)(Glasgow)
10km: 35:03 (B)(Langdale)
15km: 0:59:59 (Only done I route – Southport)
1st race: Half marathon – 01:53:00
Best position 1st!! (Twice) (B)
[Notes:
(B) refers to times achieved while a member of the Bellahouston Harriers…. I haven’t raced the other distances while a member
(race name) – favourite race of that distance]
I’ll leave with a note about 2011.
2011 was a good year for my running, and a great year personally as well. Henry was born in June, which was brilliant. Though no one ever said the effect it has on running! I now know the importance of a good nights sleep, and being able to get out to train when you want to.
My big races for the year were: the Edinburgh, Langdale and Liverpool Marathons; Great Scottish Run and Great North Run; and the Poloroid series of 10k races. This is quite typical for a year for me; a few long races, and the rest of the year filled up with 10km races.
I trained pretty well for the Edinburgh Marathon which gave me a good base fitness for the rest of the year. Training was longer runs (8 to 10 mile long run once a week), week-night runs of a minimum of 6 miles, club sessions, and Tuesday night football after the club session (it is all good training). Also in May and June was the Poloroid 10k races, and I did well there with my fitness peaking for the marathon. These 10k races were good speed sessions, and 3 PB’s in the series of 4 races! Marathon time of 2:53 was a PB and quite pleasing with a tough head wind for the last 6 miles.
The end of the early summer ended with the clubs 10k race and I got another PB. But more importantly, meeting Iain’s promise of knocking 2 minutes of my 10k time. Next challenge please….
My big autumn races came in quick succession, the Great North Run, Langdale Marathon, and Liverpool Marathon. Again for the marathon, the GNR is a good fast training run. I ran with fellow Harrier, Tom, and chatted all the way. Even making a brief appearance on TV. Then Langdale Marathon. I left Henry at home and managed to sleep for 7 hours the night before, had my favourite pre-race bacon and egg bun, and a race round “The words toughest road marathon” (3500ft of ascent and descent). I ran most of the first lap in 9th place… in the simultaneous half marathon, and first place in the marathon. The second lap I pretty much ran by myself – a good test of mental strength and the power of a few Jelly Babies. On the second lap I had a brief 4 mile stretch in second place, 2 miles running together to finish the last mile, then pulling away from the second placed runner to win the race! I was impressed and this was my best race result to date – not fast but definitely the best result.
Liverpool marathon was a bit of a disappointment, but not unexpected really, I got a leg cramp at 20 miles and hobbled home very frustrated to be passed by so many people. The route was good, however, and will give it another go one year. It was perhaps a marathon too many for the Autumn. Between the 2 races I was recovering with small 2 mile runs, and nothing more.
The final race I did in 2011 was during my winter break in Canada: a new experience for me at –17 degrees C. This was a 5km race down a hill and back up again in fresh snow covering ice. I won the race in new conditions for me. A second race win!
I have the satisfaction of being able to take Henry for runs in his buggy (OK it is a fast one). Again, I have no idea how I am meant to run with one. I just hope no one gets in the way. He enjoys Pollok park run and seams to get a PB every time. He even manages to beat me! This is to the surprise of many other runners, who don’t expect a baby to pass at 9.5mph (he has a speedometer on the buggy!).
Looking ahead it would be nice to have another running year the same as last year. I am aiming to keep my speed consistent and improve where I can. I think I can get faster in the longer races where better stamina is the key. I am going to try Langdale marathon again – about the only time I can see where I can race as the defending champion. This will be the focus for me this year. Although, I also want to well in the other races.