Relationships in athletics: Part Two

In the second part of spikesmag.com's series looking at the lives of track and field partners, we focus on international middle-distance duo Lisa Dobriskey, the Olympic 1500m fourth placer, and 1:45 800m man Ricky Soos.

How did you guys meet?
LD: We met in Jamaica [at the 2002 World Juniors in Kingston] but we didn’t get together for a while. Ricky was already at Loughborough University and I was starting [Loughborough] in the September.

RS: We got together the February afterwards.

What were your initial impressions of each other?
LD: I couldn’t understand Ricky because of his accent. I had this Mosquito net [at the 2002 World Juniors] that wouldn’t stay up and I said [to Ricky] how did you get your mosquito net to stay like that and he said, ‘put net on nail’.

RS: Because I’d only been to university for one year there was I had a very northern accent, it has softened a lot now. My first impressions of Lisa were that she was a bit nervous and very chatty. I’m the exact opposite, I don’t really say anything until I get to know them.

You are both middle-distance athletes, does that make things easier or harder?
RS: Yes, I think it’s an advantage. We train in the same event and we do a lot of our training together. We share the same coach, we do a lot of sessions together... it would be more difficult if we did different events. I think I’m pretty laid back Lisa is more of a neurotic-type but she is good for me because she makes sure I go on my early runs while I calm her down before races making sure she doesn’t get too carried away. We complement each other.

LD: In terms of competition and the mental side of training, I think that’s where you support me rather than you supporting me.

RS: Mind, if I was on my own I’d be really lazy and just never get up... I’d just get a bit lazy if it wasn’t for Lisa – she is on my back all the time, she is lot more disciplined and organised.

LD: Probably your diet that is probably where I bring something. What each of us lack is complemented by what the other person brings. We are opposites in lots of ways.

You mentioned diet. Do you do most of the cooking at home?
LD: Yes, I do most of the planning. You stir [laughs]. Whenever I’ve been away I say, what have you had for tea? ‘Er, pizza’ I ask did you make them yourself? And you say, ‘no, they were buy one get one free.’

Is it competitive between the two of you in training?
LD: No. We make jokes about it sometimes. I’m always really happy for Ricky to do as well as me. We are part of a team. I know the hard work Ricky puts in.

Who is the more competitive of the two?
RS: I think I probably am. In any sport I enjoy the competition. Having said that you [Lisa] are quite a sore loser. Especially when we play board games and if Lisa’s losing she just storms out. You’d never know it to speak to her.

LD: [Laughs] I don’t ever feel like that in a track race. I’d always be gracious and shake their hand. I’d never throw my spikes or anything like that.

Why are you such a sore loser?
LD: I think it is because I’m the eldest of four you are always kingpin. [As the eldest] you always do things first, but I don’t think you are the best loser either.

Do you talk much athletics as home?
LD: We never try and avoid it. It does come up in conversation quite a lot. A lot of our friends and our social life is taken up by running or training, and a lot of our friends are athletes.

Is it as nerve-wracking watching the other person compete as to compete yourself?
RS: Yes, because you are not in control. When I’m racing I’m nervous but you can control things a bit better and after a race you might be annoyed or sad. But when it is partner you care about them so much, you can’t help getting nervous before a race.

LD: For the same reason, not having any hold or influence about what is going on.

When one of you is injured and the other is running, can that present problems?
RS: I think it can be good and bad. If Lisa is happy and running good sessions that can act as a motivation, as well and you just have to concentrate on the re-hab.

LD: I find [it tough] when I am on my break and Ricky’s running. Just because we both love it so much regardless of what level I was at and just run and enjoy it so much and Ricky was coming back and absolutely buzzing... you talk about that selfish streak and I would never wish him ill but I resented him, [I told him] you know I can’t run you are rubbing it in.