My fascination with America

I have been fascinated with America for the last 14 years. I had been interested in the history of the United States before this — indeed I had studied the history of the US in the first half of the 2oth century — but my fascination with the country became greater after living with a couple of atypical Americans for a year.

Since going to University I have found it easy to become friends with Americans, and shared interests in long distance running with a couple — Geoff Kuffner and Joel are the names I remember from University. Geoff was a long distance runner and ran 2 hours 40ish at the London Marathon in 1993; Joel was a 100 metre sprinter, but was more interested in singing — he did a good Mack the Knife.

America is a land of extremes from the bitter cold winters on the East Coast, to the perennial warmth and sunshine of Florida. The freedom of jazz music and the creativity of the Beat Generation; to the limitations on personal expressions by the Government. The welcoming attitude of many of its citizens, versus the attitude of the Immigration officials. (Ve don’t want you here without a visa.)

This dichotomy helps explain America’s fascination.

Lentil Stew & Pivo

Those were the days when we used to cook lentil stew, then go out and drink 5 pivos (or pyet pive, which is correct Czech). Sometimes we had smazeny syr, then had 4 or 5 pives.

That was the pattern. And during the day we took a few English classes, and looked forward to the next beer.

Polish Cheese

He walked around Krakow eating a giant cheese. Wearing his big cheap Polish jacket. He was studiously becoming a stereotype -- one that his American friends called Fuge. While eating cheese Dave (who was known as Dwarf) stood at the newspaper stand buying a porno mag.

(It seems like a scene from a movie, but these are my memories from circa 1995. I will write more as they come to me.)

Running is Great

Running is my passion, and gradually I am getting back to the runner I used to be. Unfortunately when you get a little success, then have a long break from a sport, you are always looking back on how things used to be. If you continue doing this you will not progress, and enjoy your sport.

My background:

I did a lot of running when I was a student at Oxford University. I got so into it that my enduring memories of that time are not of studying (which I must have done enough of because I completed my degree), but of running. In my second and third years especially I ran upto 6 times a week, and sometimes twice a day. I think I only got injured twice-- once quite seriously so I couldn't walk very well! In my second year I ran the London Marathon for the first time in 3 hours 13. In my final year at Oxford I ran London again in 3 hours 5 minutes, and was disappointed not to go under 3 hours.

In this time I also finished the London to Brighton race (55 miles) in 8 hours 50 minutes after missing the start by 15 minutes. And set a pb for the half marathon of 80 minutes.

But that was thirteen years ago, so I cannot measure myself against these past achievements. I have to run now, and build on what I have now. I am making significant progress, and will update you soon.