🚀 go-pugleaf

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Dear Oleg,

There are three possibilities -

1. Gordon never said this (e.g. was mis-reported by the "ratings-grabbing" press);

2. Gordon said it and Kuts was not on drugs, in which case his comments were
unfortunate (and may or may not have been a joke); or
3. Gordon said it and Kuts was on drugs.

Whichever theory is true, I still think that life is too short to take this issue
so seriously. We have all said things we regret, but this does not mean everything
else we do in our lives should not be appreciated and enjoyed! I personally have
no idea whether or not Kuts took drugs - and, hey, let's give him the benefit of
the doubt - but have received some interesting correspondence re this. For example
(e-mail anonymised but otherwise copied verbatim):

    "Hi John, one aspect  of Gordon's career that interests me is his thoughts on
Kuts. He refers to him as the great Kuts in one of  your extracts BUT I always
thought that Gordon felt that Kuts'  performances were drug enhanced. If Kuts was
on drugs that means that Gordon was cheated of his real place in running  history.
Probably as a double Olympic champion. Interestingly, there will be somebody out
there - probably in Russia- who has  the answer."

This would support theories (2) and (3) above, but to me it seems strange that
Gordon would be complementary about Kuts in his book, yet chastise him in real
life.........

Back to my original posting, though, I just wanted to let people know that
Gordon's "life-work" on training etc. was available for all to read for free. I
did this because Gordon asked me, before he died, to "spread the word" for him,
which I have done. The bottomline is - let's not get bogged down by the politics,
and instead let's enjoy the running!!

Best wishes,
John (20 Nov 1999).
john@johngilbody.com
__________________

Oleg wrote:

> John - I sincerely hope Gordon was joking in which case I take everything
> back.
> The only problem - I don't think he was. At least I am not the only
> one who thinks he wasn't.
>
> In rec.running John Gilbody <john@SPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMjohngilbody.com> wrote:
> : Hey Oleg, lighten up!
>
> : If Gordon did indeed say this - and I don't know that he did - are you sure
> : it wasn't just his sense of humour (i.e. "he must have been on drugs!")??
> : One evening I watched the movie "Running Man" with Gordon, and his
> : favourite bit was when one character says "Jesus Christ" then Arnold
> : replies "Guess again"..... Not the most subtle sense of humour!
>
> : To get a true flavour of Gordon's character - which is positive AND
> : gracious! - read his own words (36,000 of them) in his last book (full text
> : at http://www.geocities.com/jsgilbody/gordonbk.html). You will see that
> : Gordon is always more deprecating about himself than others.
>
> : I'm sure Oleg would be delighted to learn that there is now another book
> : about Gordon Pirie - the writer Dick Booth has just published an
> : autobiography. The title is "The Impossible Hero", and you can find details
> : about it on the "Gordon Pirie Resource Center"
> : (http://www.geocities.com/jsgilbody). The book can be ordered from
> : Amazon.co.uk at
> : http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0953667103/qid%3D943024219/026-8168
>
> : 018-4986247, but strangely is not available at Amazon.com or any of the
> : other online bookstores. I'm going to review the book on my site shortly.
>
> : All the best,
> : John (19 Nov 1999)
>
> : john@johngilbody.com
> : ___________________
>
> : [Taken from Gordon's book "Running fast and injury free" at
> : http://www.geocities.com/jsgilbody/gordonbk.html]
>
> :      GORDON PIRIE'S LAWS OF RUNNING
>
> : 1 - Running with correct technique (even in prepared bare feet), on any
> : surface, is injury free.
> : 2 - Running equals springing through the air, landing elastically on the
> : forefoot with a flexed knee (thus producing quiet feet). On landing, the
> : foot should be directly below the body. (Walking is landing on the heels
> : with a straight leg).
> : 3 - Any and all additions to the body damage running skill.
> : 4 - Quality beats quantity; the speed at which you practice the most will
> : be
> : your best speed.
> : 5 - Walking damages running.
> : 6 - The correct running tempo for human beings is between three and five
> : steps per second.
> : 7 - Arm power is directly proportional to leg power.
> : 8 - Good posture is critical to running. (Don't lean forwards!).
> : 9 - Speed kills endurance; endurance kills speed.
> : 10 - Each individual can only execute one "Program" at any one time; an
> : individual can be identified by his or her idiosyncrasies (i.e. "Program").
>
> : An individual can change his or her "Program" only by a determined,
> : educational effort; each individual's "Program" degenerates unless it is
> : controlled constantly.
> : 11 - Static stretching exercises cause injuries!
> : 12 - Running equals being out of breath, so breathing through the mouth is
> : obligatory (hence the nickname "Puff Puff Pirie").
>
> : Oleg wrote:
>
> :> I personally lost my respect for Pirie as an athlete when I read
> :> his response after losing 5,000m olympic race to Vladimir Kuts in 1956.
> :> Kuts put a series of surges in the middle of the race and was
> :> able to get rid of everyone but Pirie, who was still hanging
> :> on his shoulder. A few times Kuts even moved to the outside slowing
> :> down to a jog to let Pirie take over the lead, but Pirie was
> :> smart enough to hang behind Kuts. In the final lap Kuts
> :> outkicked Pirie for the gold. After the race Pirie said something
> :> about Kuts' being on drugs, because it was impossible anyone could
> :> run like that. I am sure the same could be applied to Pirie who
> :> was able to sustain that crazy pace for most of the race.
> :> I wish Pirie could learn something about being a gracious loser.
> :>
> :>
> :> John Gilbody <john@SPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMjohngilbody.com> wrote:
> :> : Not sure if my previous message got through so have re-posted.
> :>
> :> : John.
> :>
> :> :> Gordon Pirie - one of Britain�s most famous athletes - wrote a
> :> :> controversial book with me. This book, which includes detailed
> :> :> training programs (e.g. interval training) can now be read in full,
> :> :> for free, online. The blurb below is what I prepared recently as a
> :> :> "handout".
> :> :>
> :> :> Happy running!
> :> :>
> :> :> Best wishes,
> :> :> John (17 Nov 1999).
> :> :> ________________
> :> :>
> :> :>
> :> :>
> :> :>                  READ THE NEW BOOK BY GORDON PIRIE �
> :> :>
> :> :>                     RUNNING FAST AND INJURY FREE
> :> :>                    +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
> :> :>
> :> :>
> :> :> - Free online at http://www.geocities.com/jsgilbody
> :> :>
> :> :>         - Also paper-published �conventionally�
> :> :>
> :> :> - 36,000 controversial words � biography / history / training advice
> :> :>
> :> :> - Inspirational, positive (like Gordon) and highly entertaining
> :> :>
> :> :> - Also at this site � the Gordon Pirie Resource Center
> :> :>
> :> :>         - One of Britain�s most famous athletes
> :> :>
> :> :>         - Extensive links to all things Gordonian
> :> :>
> :> :>         - Doing research? It�s already done (web sites fully quoted)
> :> :>
> :> :>         - Built in search engine � search the site!
> :> :>
> :> :>         - Regular updates with e-mail auto-notification
> :> :>
> :> :>
> :> :> - Contact:   Dr John S Gilbody (john@johngilbody.com)
> :> :>
> :>
> :> --
> :>  Oleg
>
> --
>  Oleg

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Dear Oleg,
<p>There are three possibilities -
<p>1. Gordon never said this (e.g. was mis-reported by the "ratings-grabbing"
press);
<br>2. Gordon said it and Kuts was not on drugs, in which case his comments
were unfortunate (and may or may not have been a joke); or
<br>3. Gordon said it and Kuts was on drugs.
<p>Whichever theory is true, I still think that life is too short to take
this issue so seriously. We have all said things we regret, but this does
not mean everything else we do in our lives should not be appreciated and
enjoyed! I personally have no idea whether or not Kuts took drugs - and,
hey, let's give him the benefit of the doubt - but have received some interesting
correspondence re this. For example (e-mail anonymised but otherwise copied
verbatim):
<p><i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hi John, one aspect&nbsp; of Gordon's career
that interests me is his thoughts on Kuts. He refers to him as the great
Kuts in one of&nbsp; your extracts BUT I always thought that Gordon felt
that Kuts'&nbsp; performances were drug enhanced. If Kuts was on drugs
that means that Gordon was cheated of his real place in running&nbsp; history.
Probably as a double Olympic champion. Interestingly, there will be somebody
out there - probably in Russia- who has&nbsp; the answer."</i>
<p>This would support theories (2) and (3) above, but to me it seems strange
that Gordon would be complementary about Kuts in his book, yet chastise
him in real life.........
<p>Back to my original posting, though, I just wanted to let people know
that Gordon's "life-work" on training etc. was available for all to read
for free. I did this because Gordon asked me, before he died, to "spread
the word" for him, which I have done. The bottomline is - let's not get
bogged down by the politics, and instead let's enjoy the running!!
<p>Best wishes,
<br>John (20 Nov 1999).
<br>john@johngilbody.com
<br>__________________
<p>Oleg wrote:
<blockquote TYPE=CITE>John - I sincerely hope Gordon was joking in which
case I take everything
<br>back.
<br>The only problem - I don't think he was. At least I am not the only
<br>one who thinks he wasn't.
<p>In rec.running John Gilbody &lt;john@SPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMjohngilbody.com>
wrote:
<br>: Hey Oleg, lighten up!
<p>: If Gordon did indeed say this - and I don't know that he did - are
you sure
<br>: it wasn't just his sense of humour (i.e. "he must have been on drugs!")??
<br>: One evening I watched the movie "Running Man" with Gordon, and his
<br>: favourite bit was when one character says "Jesus Christ" then Arnold
<br>: replies "Guess again"..... Not the most subtle sense of humour!
<p>: To get a true flavour of Gordon's character - which is positive AND
<br>: gracious! - read his own words (36,000 of them) in his last book
(full text
<br>: at <a href="http://www.geocities.com/jsgilbody/gordonbk.html">http://www.geocities.com/jsgilbody/gordonbk.html</a>).
You will see that
<br>: Gordon is always more deprecating about himself than others.
<p>: I'm sure Oleg would be delighted to learn that there is now another
book
<br>: about Gordon Pirie - the writer Dick Booth has just published an
<br>: autobiography. The title is "The Impossible Hero", and you can find
details
<br>: about it on the "Gordon Pirie Resource Center"
<br>: (<a href="http://www.geocities.com/jsgilbody">http://www.geocities.com/jsgilbody</a>).
The book can be ordered from
<br>: Amazon.co.uk at
<br>: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0953667103/qid%3D943024219/026-8168">http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0953667103/qid%3D943024219/026-8168</a>
<p>: 018-4986247, but strangely is not available at Amazon.com or any of
the
<br>: other online bookstores. I'm going to review the book on my site
shortly.
<p>: All the best,
<br>: John (19 Nov 1999)
<p>: john@johngilbody.com
<br>: ___________________
<p>: [Taken from Gordon's book "Running fast and injury free" at
<br>: <a href="http://www.geocities.com/jsgilbody/gordonbk.html">http://www.geocities.com/jsgilbody/gordonbk.html</a>]
<p>:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; GORDON PIRIE'S LAWS OF RUNNING
<p>: 1 - Running with correct technique (even in prepared bare feet), on
any
<br>: surface, is injury free.
<br>: 2 - Running equals springing through the air, landing elastically
on the
<br>: forefoot with a flexed knee (thus producing quiet feet). On landing,
the
<br>: foot should be directly below the body. (Walking is landing on the
heels
<br>: with a straight leg).
<br>: 3 - Any and all additions to the body damage running skill.
<br>: 4 - Quality beats quantity; the speed at which you practice the most
will
<br>: be
<br>: your best speed.
<br>: 5 - Walking damages running.
<br>: 6 - The correct running tempo for human beings is between three and
five
<br>: steps per second.
<br>: 7 - Arm power is directly proportional to leg power.
<br>: 8 - Good posture is critical to running. (Don't lean forwards!).
<br>: 9 - Speed kills endurance; endurance kills speed.
<br>: 10 - Each individual can only execute one "Program" at any one time;
an
<br>: individual can be identified by his or her idiosyncrasies (i.e. "Program").
<p>: An individual can change his or her "Program" only by a determined,
<br>: educational effort; each individual's "Program" degenerates unless
it is
<br>: controlled constantly.
<br>: 11 - Static stretching exercises cause injuries!
<br>: 12 - Running equals being out of breath, so breathing through the
mouth is
<br>: obligatory (hence the nickname "Puff Puff Pirie").
<p>: Oleg wrote:
<p>:> I personally lost my respect for Pirie as an athlete when I read
<br>:> his response after losing 5,000m olympic race to Vladimir Kuts in
1956.
<br>:> Kuts put a series of surges in the middle of the race and was
<br>:> able to get rid of everyone but Pirie, who was still hanging
<br>:> on his shoulder. A few times Kuts even moved to the outside slowing
<br>:> down to a jog to let Pirie take over the lead, but Pirie was
<br>:> smart enough to hang behind Kuts. In the final lap Kuts
<br>:> outkicked Pirie for the gold. After the race Pirie said something
<br>:> about Kuts' being on drugs, because it was impossible anyone could
<br>:> run like that. I am sure the same could be applied to Pirie who
<br>:> was able to sustain that crazy pace for most of the race.
<br>:> I wish Pirie could learn something about being a gracious loser.
<br>:>
<br>:>
<br>:> John Gilbody &lt;john@SPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMjohngilbody.com> wrote:
<br>:> : Not sure if my previous message got through so have re-posted.
<br>:>
<br>:> : John.
<br>:>
<br>:> :> Gordon Pirie - one of Britain�s most famous athletes - wrote
a
<br>:> :> controversial book with me. This book, which includes detailed
<br>:> :> training programs (e.g. interval training) can now be read in
full,
<br>:> :> for free, online. The blurb below is what I prepared recently
as a
<br>:> :> "handout".
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :> Happy running!
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :> Best wishes,
<br>:> :> John (17 Nov 1999).
<br>:> :> ________________
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
READ THE NEW BOOK BY GORDON PIRIE �
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
RUNNING FAST AND INJURY FREE
<br>:> :>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :> - Free online at <a href="http://www.geocities.com/jsgilbody">http://www.geocities.com/jsgilbody</a>
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - Also paper-published
�conventionally�
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :> - 36,000 controversial words � biography / history / training
advice
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :> - Inspirational, positive (like Gordon) and highly entertaining
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :> - Also at this site � the Gordon Pirie Resource Center
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - One of Britain�s
most famous athletes
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - Extensive links
to all things Gordonian
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - Doing research?
It�s already done (web sites fully quoted)
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - Built in search
engine � search the site!
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - Regular updates
with e-mail auto-notification
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :>
<br>:> :> - Contact:&nbsp;&nbsp; Dr John S Gilbody (john@johngilbody.com)
<br>:> :>
<br>:>
<br>:> --
<br>:>&nbsp; Oleg
<p>--
<br>&nbsp;Oleg</blockquote>
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