Michael East Quotes

United Kingdom, Middle-Distance Runner
January 20, 1978

Michael John East is a retired middle distance athlete. His best result came in winning the 1500 metres gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England. As of 2009 he is the last British male to win a major 1500m title.

Deciding on when to kick is crucial and depends on how the race is unfolding.

Michael East
- Race
- Deciding
- Crucial
It probably won't sink in until I've retired from running but I'm a much better athlete than two years ago.

Michael East
- Athlete
- Probably
- Retired

If you go too soon, you can come unstuck with 50m left when the guys are going past you.

Michael East
- Going
- Guys
- Soon
Stepping up a gear during any race is not an easy thing to do.

Michael East
- Race
- Stepping
- During
So when you put the kick in and the other runners go past you, it's game over!

Michael East
- Game
- Past
- Kick
I first discovered my turn of pace when I was playing football as a kid.

Michael East
- Football
- Discovered
- Pace
I could produce spurts of speed and after taking up athletics I found myself running quite quickly over 400m.

Michael East
- Running
- Speed
- Produce
If you see swarms of guys coming around you, you have to try and avoid being stuck on the kerb.

Michael East
- Try
- Around
- Stuck

If it's a slow race you have to be on your guard. You have to be patient, but I prefer that.

Michael East
- Patient
- Guard
- Prefer
It is a natural gift I was born with but it's something I've had to nurture in training.

Michael East
- Training
- Born
- Something