Special Feature – Interview with Les Jackson

Written by Lydia Blythe

My Tuesday evening took its usual form, making my way to Wormwood Scrubs for training, seeing my friends, coaches, pushing myself to prepare for upcoming competitions throughout the summer. It was also a usual Tuesday for Les Jackson, making his way to the Linford Christie stadium for some laps, conversations with friends and weekly observation of the training sessions taking place. The difference, however, is that I have been making that journey for only five years, finding it having come to be an essential part of my week… Les since the track was cinder.

I had prepared questions to ask Les that would illuminate his athletic achievements throughout the years, along with what he values most about his trips to the Scrubs week in, week out. He showed me a photo from 1987, knees lifted, arms driving, positioning perfect. I recognised the background, it was taken as he was training at our beloved Linford Christie stadium. We both glanced at the training sessions that were taking place this particular Tuesday night, some 39 years later, and not much has changed. With the pending relaying of the track thanks to the support of Hammersmith and Fulham council, the track confirms itself as an integral part of the West London community. Les commenced by sharing stories of years gone by, describing all the international medallists and Olympians that have also benefited from our track, how they have supported the rise of the club to such prominence across the country, and what the future might look like for Thames Valley Harriers.

Before I asked about his achievements, Les was quick to paint a picture of Seb Coe ‘floating’ round the track in the 80s, completing a training session of a few 150m runs with his dad looking on as coach. Les described his style as powerful, graceful and an art form, he has never seen someone run like it since – his recollection near perfect, I could see it too. Despite being desperate to understand more about his competition experience or career highlights, I remarked that the experiences he was most keen to share with me were those shared with others – namely his teammates. Our track has served to support the successes of a multitude of champions, Les says the area has always been international, with national football and rugby teams also using the facilities in the 1980s. “It always attracts high talent,” and with such pedigree it makes sense that the sprinting champions of TVH’s early years have played their role in mentoring others and ensuring the club could reach the heights it has across the disciplines as we see today. Les made special mention to the women’s distance running in the club at the moment, and the strength in depth across the board.

Les joined the club after having competed for his school and borough. His school went on to win the London Schools Championship five times in a row, which he described to me as the achievement he is most proud of and directed his joining of the athletics club. He explained that coach Micky Lines saw him competing and encouraged him to come to a training session where he met other likeminded individuals – his path was opening up. Ron Roddan invited Les to join his training group, the place he knew the best GB sprinters were. Les was the youngest at the time and learnt from observing the experiences of his training partners, an approach he takes to this day, he watches the training sessions taking place on a Tuesday night at the Scrubs. With a wealth of knowledge, he will help you with your pre-training drills if you ask. He also mentioned Ron’s wide collection of books to inform training techniques giving athletes the edge, along with swimming, cycling and yoga that supported all those TVH household names to be such stand out athletes.

He commended the influence of his peers, Linford Christie, Daley Thompson, Colin Jackson, Tessa Sanderson and shared experiences from a warm weather training camp in Lanzarote with coaches Malcolm Arnold and Mark McKoy. Les noted that they put in at least three times as much work as everyone else. They were motivated to improve their own performance, as well as encouraging others which supported the rise of sprinting at TVH. Daley used to say to Les: “Just one more, you can do it,” when it came to one more repetition or practicing a block start. Daley’s coach Bruce Longden used to mentor Les as well, which he described as the key to taking his performance to the next level. He learnt from all the influences around him, both his peers and coaches. The set up was perfect for success. A classic session he remembers was 4 x 300m where the whistle would sound at 37 seconds. Les remembers Colin Jackson also encouraging him, “Les, you’re spot on,” as he met the exact times and distances requested, although Les commented that it was Colin that had the spark. The positive and supportive atmosphere he recalled so clearly is something I remarked – a feeling that is emulated to this day in my experiences at TVH.
 
When it came to investigating some more into what gave Les’ training partners the edge, he mentioned they used their mind to their advantage, Linford, Daley and Colin always believed they would be the number one. Les watched as Linford made a choice to quit his job and make athletics his full-time focus. Les explained that at the time this was a risk, but nonetheless inspiring to watch as he put in the work to ensure it was the right decision. Les asked me, “are you prepared to put in the work,” which certainly had me wondering exactly what it would take to be of that level. He watched Linford do exactly this, missing the British Team selection for the Olympics in 1984, the training group went from strength to strength as Linford set to ensuring he was picked for the team in four years’ time. Part of this preparation included strict conditioning as well as running training. Les spoke highly of the benefits of the bench press, cleans and squats as the key for gaining power and subsequently speed. As time went on, the learnings changed from observing what it takes to make it in the first place, to maintaining your position as champion – having to train as a contender. Someone can beat you at any time. This outlook led to our TVH stars being the most decorated athletes in Europe, but also the most down to earth and humble as Les expressed to me.

Closing remarks honoured the support of every volunteer at TVH to ensure the smooth running of the club behind the scenes. He commented on the high calibre of our coaches, serving to keep athletes in positive training environments to get the best out of each individual. Les recalled being asked to join the England coach in Haringey at the time, with a response of “you’re joking aren’t you,” as his loyalties lay with TVH, particularly with Ron as coach to support his success within an environment that was most beneficial to him at the time – risking a move was not an option. Instead, he made some suggestions as for how to keep performances progressing, laying foundations for success in a trusting relationship with your coach and motivation to further improve in your performances. There’s work to be done beyond sessions on club nights he exclaimed. Les suggested to write down your strengths and weaknesses, work out if you are doing what you need to in training to improve and tell your coach, they will then help you to plug any additional gaps. After this, consider a mentor, such as an experienced coach within the club (we have lots of them), or another athlete or teammate. They might suggest trying some new approaches to training, sleep, gym work, diet, or even to take a week off to reset!

I would like to thank Les for taking the time to speak to me and share his experiences – athletics fans the world over would say how fortunate he was to share the track with such impressive sportsmen and women, to have the privilege to learn from them, and above all to call them his friends. I still may not know what Les’ 400m personal best is, but what I do know is that his humility and consideration towards those around him is where the kind and welcoming values have their roots that are instilled in Thames Valley Harriers. At its core our club wants to see everyone succeed, and the measure of success is personal – it may be Olympic gold for some, for others it’s making their first NAL team. Every success by our club members is shared and can only serve to improve our performances as a collective. We surround ourselves with talented, experienced, and motivated individuals to create a team that is “willing to put in the work.” Next time you run a lap at the Linford Christie Stadium, whether that’s before it’s re-laid or later this summer, remember who has set foot there before you, who has felt lifted and elated entering the home straight. Who has felt a relief when they meet the 300m mark in 37 seconds, and as Les described to me, who has felt immortal in the freedom that laps of that track can afford, surrounded by friends and a team that are always gunning for you. The Linford Christie stadium is an essential part of the West London community, our community.