An interview with Earl Fee, 2005 Masters Athlete of the Year

Updated September 18, 2005

Earl Fee, shown at a Club West Masters meet in Santa Barbara, California, about five years ago, has redefined the limits of human sprint endurance with M75 age-group records ranging from the 300 hurdles to the 800. He also recently published a revised edition of his training opus -- "The Complete Guide to Running," which is reviewed here.

Masterstrack.com: Tell me about San Seb. You were pushed in the 400, but you won the 300 hurdles by 7 seconds and the 800 by 8 seconds. Were you happy with your efforts — or sorry you didn’t have much competition?

Earl Fee: In my three races I felt I could have run faster, particularly in the 400. But in the 400 I was up against speedsters (Wolfgang) Reuter and (Don) Cheeks who were 1 and 2 in the 100 and 200 . They went out way too fast in the first 200 and I got sucked into a too-fast first 200; nearly full speed for me. I could have run near the 400 world record on my own. Also the travel, stress, different diet, lots of walking and poorer sleep all add up to slower times, I believe.

How did Meyer & Meyer Sport come to publish the revised “How to be a Champion”? Was the first edition not selling well enough?

Meyer and Meyer would have published my first book too, but I decided I didn’t want a German publisher in view of communication problems. Also at the time in year 2000 I noticed a lot of errors in one of Lydiard’s books published by Meyer and Meyer. I sold over 1,400 copies of the first book (self-published), but I wanted to make it more available worldwide so decided in 2004 a publisher was the best way.

How did you learn about WMA picking you for Masters Athlete of the Year? Were you surprised?

My team captain Brain Keaveney told me after the meet that I was chosen after a 6 to 4 vote over Reuter of Germany. I have always had a high age graded percentage, but I was surprised since I missed a lot of big meets this year in view of multiple injuries starting with a dislocated toe in January. A calf problem did not heal up for 5 months. In fact, I had forgotten there was such an award. Then I was reminded last year Canada considered me as their candidate for the award in view of my three indoor word recods. Each country can recommend a female and male candidate.

Tell me about your trip to Monaco. How were you treated? Did IAAF or WMA pay for the trip?

The trip to Monaco was a dream trip including air fare, accomodation 400 euros per night, and great

https://tramadolhealth.com/pain-relief/

meals,costing me only a bottle of water. I was treated royally all at the expense of the International (Association of) Athletics (Federations).

Your range of events is amazing — from hurdles and sprints through middle distances. What event are you best at? What new event would you like to master?

My best event would probably be 600. I am seriously thinking of training for the 200. Last year with little training I ran 30.02 in my first 200 race, which is world class I believe. Also I would like to work on the 80m hurdles. I would have medaled in Spain in this event based on my seed time, but I hardly ever train or race it.

You still have three seasons left as an M75. What other records are you targeting?

I believe I can lower my 300 and 800 world records as this year the preparation was not good in view of the many injuries ( blocked arteries, etc.)

Everyone who competes into their 70s has “issues” — physical and personal problems to overcome. What special challenges have you faced in recent years?

Recently more injuries crop up. I think I can reduce these by a more structured consistent weight training program.

Given your incredible talents at 76, do you ever wonder what you could have accomplished 50 years ago — about the time of the 1952 and 1956 Olympics? What event would you have run? What could you have done? Don’t be shy.

My best was 51 seconds in the 400 when at University. But the training was all wrong. My coach believed in no sprint training. Just run the 400 all out in a training session. The interesting thing is I have met many athletes who were much faster than me in their youth at the same young age but now they can’t keep up with me. It has a lot to do with the genes and what we did during the last 40 or 50 years.

Records obviously help motivate you. What’s it like knowing that few people in the world can challenge you in your best events? Why not try 100/200 or move up to the 5K?

I think my body prefers the faster events rather the distance events. Sprinting is more fun than running a mile and a lot less work. If the doctors are right about my partially blocked arteries in my one leg I will have to go for the sprints as the faster running does not bother my leg, but the longer running sometimes does.

What are your secret goals? Hold all world record at five events through age 100?

One has to have a goal to succeed. I plan to break more world records and keep running until about 95. Maybe write another book concentrating on longevity issues.