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John Blair-Fish thought I ought
to interview Mark, since I stood accused of censoring one of his (Mark’s)
Millennium Book articles. So while we were both at the Log House in Torridon
for a week, there was an ideal opportunity. We had an amicable chat in
rare surroundings. Up to then, Mark was a tall, rather distant figure,
with a reputation for reminding us all about the necessity for looking
after our environment - sharing transport, not being profligate with the
Earth’s resources, using organic food products, etc. I also had the impression
he started the series of articles in the Newsletter about why we run.
First of all I must give you the chance to have a go
at me over the so-called censoring.
I have nothing to add to our e-mail exchange on that
subject. Although I was sure my words were Pythonesque - Life of Brian
- poking fun The Millennium Book turned out very well, I thought.
Ok, that’s very generous of you. The second question
has to be about Green Issues. You are famous throughout the Club for your
Green Credentials. How did it all come about?
It all started with my involvement in the Anti-Nuclear
Power Movement. My Dad, a vicar, got the New Internationalist and was
involved with Lewes against Racism. Concern for the environment was and
is closely allied with these issues. When I was at Nottingham University,
from 1982 to 1985 reading Biology, there were plenty of environmental
activities to get involved in. I tried Veganism, a cheap and low input
dietary regime although high on gas production. Now I’m omnivorous but
more aware the wider picture of food, where it comes from and how its
produced.
Go back a bit. How did you come to land up in Edinburgh?
I was born in Lichfield in the Midlands, the eldest of
three children. I have a brother and a sister. We moved around quite a
bit with my Dad’s job. I went to school in Lewes, Sussex, and played a
lot of sport, including rugby and a couple of cross-country races. I remember
one race in rugby boots and puking at the finish, little in the way of
pre race advice. I hated being beaten, had a keen sense of failure and
was a bad loser. I suppose I tried too hard to impress a particular teacher
that I could apply myself. Cricket was very enjoyable; I played a lot.
I came to Edinburgh at the end of 1987.
How did you get involved with Carnethy
I did the Leeds half marathon in 1987, and got into triathlon
in 1988. The Downland 10 in Sussex was very enjoyable but I got a stitch
from talking too much about a mile from the finish which set an early
precedent that winning was and isn’t everything. Then I met Alan Dobie
through his connection with the Scottish Wild Land Group he told me about
Flotterstone on a Sunday, so I got involved in the hill-running scene.
I found the Carnethy lot were a friendly bunch with a unusually wide age-range.
Some were as old as my Dad! My first fell race was the Carnethy 5 in 1990.
I found it instantly enjoyable -the idea of self-inflicted, high-level
effort appealed to me. I was inspired by seeing people push themselves
to the limit, just for the enjoyment and not necessarily for glory. Racing
has been a great bonding experience.
How can the Club be improved, do you think?
I don’t feel I’m in a position to answer that question
but perhaps more light hearted events the kind that Cap’n John love Meister
Coyle inspired.
What sort of races do you like best?
Criffel was good – I won a prize there. The idea of the
FRA Relays appeals very much. I ran them in 91, 93, 95, 97 but missed
out in 99 at Alva. I did the Scottish Islands Peaks Race with Mr Coyle
one year. Although I felt very bad on Mull, we carried on and finished
well. I’m pleased with that.
Do you run when you go abroad?
Yes. I always run when on holiday. One memorable outing
was running to the bottom of the Samaria Gorge, along the coast from Loutro,
in Southern Crete (check the map). Is Barra abroad? The only race I have
won was an embarrassing affair on Barra as all the rest were locals. At
least I didn’t break the record held by a local shepherd. The cup was
enormous, like the FA Cup. I wasn’t allowed to take it off the island.
You are not doing much running this week in Torridon.
Do you normally train very hard?
No, I’m not doing much at all at the present time. I’ve
had a few minor infections and there are important family reasons for
not spending a lot of time away from home. I bike a lot, like Andy Spenceley
(who is fiercely competitive!) daily toing and froing gives me a good
base level of fitness. In the past I suppose my weekly average was absolute
maximum 30 miles. I’ve still got the first pair of fell running shoes
I ever bought, they have been resoled twice. I keep them for best! Either
they have shrunk or my feet have grown as they are tight.
Who are your heroes?
I remember admiring Ian Botham in the days when he was
thrashing the Australians all round Headingly. I used to watch sport including
cricket compulsively – mostly on TV in my youth, as a spectator Brighton
at Football and Hove (Sussex) at Cricket , such passion it aroused. Nelson
Mandela has to be a hero of mine. To have been through what he has and
not be bitter and revengeful is very special. I’m a member of the Labour
Party and admire Tony Benn and Ken Livingstone. Tony Benn seems to encapsulate
all the important things I feel about politics. I resent the way he is
treated by the media. If I was in London Ken would have got my vote. My
brother has a special place.
Do you see running in the hills as a dangerous occupation?
No, I don’t probably because I don’t run alone very often,
except in tamer areas. Julia’s husband was killed in a climbing accident
on Lochnagar, so I am conscious of the dangers of climbing.
Have you had any close calls? I got separated
from the rest of the party in mist in the Glyders once and that was alarming.
Scrambling in the dusk in Crete was very scary. I remember dropping a
rucksack on the Aonach Eagach and cautiously scrambling down after it.
That created an exhilarating moment!! An incident comes back to me – not
a dangerous moment for me, but a strange affair, which could have resulted
in a death. I was running north from Sandwood Bay on a cool midsummer’s
day with wind and rain. I was, unusually wearing a Gore-Tex jacket. I
saw someone with a big pack walking the opposite direction. I ran up the
coast and thought I would catch up the walker. When I approached him he
was strange, almost delirious and staggering about. He had all the appearance
of someone who had bonked. He was very wet and obviously cold. After asking
him three times he let me carry his pack. He had set off from Cape Wrath
(7am) and was not stopping to eat until he reached Sandwood Bay (It was
already 2pm). If I hadn’t stopped and forced him to eat something I am
not sure what would have happened to him? I drove got him to a bed and
breakfast, somehow. I don’t know what happened to him after that. If I
hadn’t met him, would he have collapsed and possibly died in such a remote
area? It was an object lesson in the effects of exposure and lack of judgement
in someone who was apparently experienced.
What do you read? Are you musical?
I’m not reading much at all, at the moment. Journals
- cycling magazines – email! When I asked "what
was the last book you read", there was a long silence.
Can’t remember the last book I read. Oh, yes, the Nelson Mandela biography
"Long walk to Freedom". I usually read factual books; haven’t
got any time for fiction. Music is a great enjoyment of mine. I play some
traditional Scottish music on the low pipe.
Yes, I was most impressed by your musicianship and the lovely sound you
produce in the very entertaining sessions we are having at the Log House.
Mike Anderson says his hands are too small to play the long pipe you use.
I learnt the bassoon at school. Not as handy
as whistles.
Where does your motivation and enthusiasm come from?
There’s an element of needing recognition and surprising
people with what I can do. I get a boost from every race I do. There’s
the post-exercise euphoria which keeps me going, too. When I am away I
have a high level of energy and like to think I am doing something a little
bit different. When I feel good I really am in touch with myself, I literally
feel as though I am flowing. I am lucky in that I find the physical act
of running easy.
How do you feel about the development of the Scottish
environment??
Any development should have a presumption against its
adoption, rather than the other way around. The "developers"
should make the case for using the environment and demonstrate they are
conscious of the responsibility. National Parks would give Scotland the
same level of protection as they give for England and I would agree with
the setting up of areas with National Park status. In my view there must
be land reform to give national ownership of the land. The phrase I like
to use is "living landscapes". It is a ludicrous concept that
anyone can "own" any part of the landscape.
And is access to the hills to your satisfaction?
The new legislation, to my knowledge seems okay. I’ll
have to wait to see if cuts the mustard. I’m a bit apprehensive about
the current legislation to protect access. I feel we need very strong
protective legislation to allow reasonable access to any open area. When
some toff says get off my land my reaction isn’t altogether positive.
What did you think about the recent battle with SAF over
the exclusion Rule?
I have not been part of the debate and have left it in
the capable hands of my fellow club mates who feel more strongly about
the issue. As someone who raced just once last year its not something
that rattles my cage (there are issues of greater merit I invest my time
with) – although perhaps it should. It s about devolved power and accountability
which should apply across the board
Tell me about your dreams and ambitions and what will
be happening in 2010.
Work to see a drastic reduction in car use and hoards
of people using bikes on a daily basis. I would like to see a similar
level of support for the creative minds in the cycling of Human Powered
Vehicle world as in the motor industry. I would like to see significant
moves to tackle climate change and a change in the general awareness of
the need to reduce consumption in deference to the worlds poor. The so-called
developed nations need to take responsibility for the exploitation of
the past. As for running I would like my children to enjoy running just
for hell of it, whether a spot of orienteering or the odd Carnethy Handicap.
I would like to run a 34 minute 10k, I may even run a marathon. I’ll probably
not still have my 1990 vintage Walshes. I’d like to do a half Ironman
– anyone else interested?
Whom should I interview next and why?
How about one of the junior members? Ross, because I
am impressed with his rhythm and he’s great with my son Finn.
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