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Chasing Laces – Voices from the Running Scene – Chapter 9

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Chasing Laces – Voices from the Running Scene by Arthur Knaggs

Baher

Baher is a marathon runner. At short notice, and on the recommendation of a friend, he had taken time to talk to me. He wore a white tracksuit. He had short cropped hair, and gave the impression of bounding as he walked into the café. He spoke haltingly at first but grew into the conversation. He was eloquent, to the point, and a great enthusiast. He filled our conversation with positive energy. It seemed as if he had found the secret of being alive and wanted to share it.

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Chasing Laces – Voices from the Running Scene – Chapter 8

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Chasing Laces – Voices from the Running Scene by Arthur Knaggs

Amy

Amy didn’t see me when she walked in. She walked up to the counter, checked her phone and went to stand outside. When she talked her eyes sparkled. She laughed often and loudly. She came most alive when she talked about the pain of running.

I’m a university student, in my final year studying Nutrition Dietetics. I live up in Lancashire but I’m down here for university. I’ve been committed to running since the start of this academic year, so October, but I got into running last year on my placement at Bournemouth.

I worked in a hospital and I was involved in patient care. It was so stressful.

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Chasing Laces – Voices from the Running Scene – Chapter 7

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Chasing Laces – Voices from the Running Scene by Arthur Knaggs

Frank

Frank wore his club’s hoodie. That was to help me recognise him. I didn’t. He found me and sat down. A young looking man in his early forties, Frank wore shorts and trainers. He had neat, cropped hair and was heading out for a run later. When he spoke, words and ideas tumbled out like they had been through a washing machine. He circled round points and repeated phrases as they surfaced and re-surfaced in his mind.

So you’re a runner yourself then? I’m a relatively new runner. I started in 2017 and I used to play football but then I stopped. I got a bit unfit, put a bit of weight on, and then I thought sod it. So I just entered the local half marathon.

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