Me & Seb Coe
We go back a long way.
We go back a long way, Seb and I.
I remember the first time I ever heard his name. I ran to catch a bus. And when I got to the doors, a man coming off said ‘Seb Coe’.
He has always been the yardstick which every British 800m runner measures himself against. He was the World Record holder in the event, with a lightning fast 1:41.73. A record that stood for eighteen years and is still absolutely world class, 45 years later.
Seb Coe was coached by his dad, Peter. But Peter learnt coaching from Frank Horwill.
When Seb was 14, Frank’s new outfit, the British Milers Club, organised a special 800m race for youngsters to try and break two minutes, for the 2 lap event. At the bell, they went through in 61 seconds, too slow. Frank leapt out:
If you can’t do better than this, step off the fucking track!
Seb Coe took off like a scared rabbit, and ran 1:59.9.
When I broke 2 minutes for the first time I was 17. I went down to Ladywell track and did a solo time trial. Just for the hell of it. I ran 1:56. My dad timed it. My mum filmed it on a camcorder. It didn’t feel that hard.
Based on that performance, I thought I wasn’t too far away from Seb as a Junior. Clearly I had a talent for it. But Seb’s times came down year after year, whereas mine stuttered and stalled.
Saturday, 28th September, 2001. Battersea Park Track. It was Seb Coe’s 45th birthday. Every year, on his birthday, he would come down to the track and run a 400m time trial.
I was coached by Frank Horwill, and we Sat together in the stands as we watched Seb line up. Even through the fog of my own petulance, I remember thinking Seb’s standing start position was extremely good.
He ran the lap, hand timed himself, and came over to show Frank his stopwatch. 57 seconds.
Very good comrade!
Frank said. I said nothing. In my head, I thought:
That’s not that good!
I was 20. I could run 400m in 50sec. What did I know or care about the ravages of time. Plus I was probably in a bad mood, dealing with my aches and pains, dreading my own session still to come.
I had totally forgotten all about this day. Until one month ago. My 45th birthday.
And now here I am. The one not looking back on a glittering career, with 2 Olympic Golds and the 12 World Records. Seb Coe has no idea I exist.
It’s fine. Honestly. I’ve made my peace. Comparing yourself with others is a fool’s errand.
However.
Last Saturday I ran 59 seconds for 400m. Hmmm. Not that far off Seb’s time.
Could I run 57? Or faster?
Could my 45yr old self beat the 45yr old Seb?
I don’t care at all.
I ran 90 miles last week. It was supposed to be 100.
Last week I got something lodged in my eye. It gave me headaches all week and a cold. I finally went to the pharmacist, who sent me to an optician, who removed it. And gave me an eye test. I’ve got 20/20 vision.
I wonder if Seb had 20/20 vision, when he was 45?
I’m done comparing, I already told you!
Tonight I am running the Midcheshire 5k, will tell you how it went next Friday! See you then.