Q 1. How did you meet Jack and get involved with him as a coach?

A 1. I first met Jack when we were both working in the same school. Jack was Head of PE and was achieving outstanding results with some of the most talented but troublesome pupils. His basketball team was particularly successful. It was easy to see what a good motivator and coach he was then, and how he was a role model for the players. There was a small group of teachers who used to run round Clissold Park on Friday after school. At that time, I had given up Rugby, was enjoying playing badminton but was annually inspired by the London Marathon! However, my running was limited to the Friday jog. I moved to another school and we lost contact for a few years, but when I later decided to complete that Marathon, I contacted Jack to see if he was interested in helping me. We met up and he took me on a run. I didn’t realise it at the time but I was being auditioned. Fortunately I passed! He was also testing my commitment to the task.

Q 2. What help was Jack at getting you started in running?

A.2. Firstly, he could see my potential! And this was far more than I thought I had. He gave advice about footwear, kit generally and looking the 'accomplished runner'. He had his own schedule but, when we ran together, he always tailored it to ensure I got maximum benefit. On one particular session, he set up a video camera to record my running style. Jack always felt I held my arms too high and he wanted to let me see it. We regularly look back at the footage; we were so young!! He also suggested that, when running through a town centre, to always take the opportunity to look in a shop window to get an instant reflection on how I was looking- I still do that!

With Jack’s support, I began to run longer and faster. I lost over one stone in weight…my Mum thought I wasn’t well! Together, we worked out a schedule to improve stamina, pace, speed and endurance. Jack still talks about our Monday run: it was from my house and was 10 miles.

Sundays were long, slow distance. J ack would go out on Saturday in his car and plan a route somewhere new, somewhere out in the country. His attention to detail was and still is amazing. In the summer, he left bottles of drink at particular places on the course! There was always the flask and the cakes afterwards….our reward!

Q 3. Do you believe that coaching is effective?

A.3. Absolutely. My success in those early days was down to the support that I got from Jack as my coach….though he was never called that at the time. Since then, coaching has become central to improving performance and practice in many, many walks of life and calling him my coach now seems quite natural. I have since trained as a coach and as an education consultant. I help others to feel the power of coaching and develop their skills to coach others.

Central to good coaching is the building of rapport; Jack is excellent. A coach puts the performance of the person being coached at the forefront; Jack clearly does this. The coach understands motivation and how to inspire others to perform at a higher level than they ever felt possible. The coach is always there, to listen, observe, see it from the other’s perspective and plan to move forward; the coach also understands the time and effort it takes. The coach uses every opportunity to celebrate successes but stands back and lets the others take the glory. I would recommend Jack without reservation as a coach; he will give the care and attention needed; he has the skills and the knowledge to make it happen. He transformed my running and I know he can do this for others.

Dave Anderson, Billericay Striders