The Daves continue and our countdown to Christmas is nearing it’s finale. Today’s ‘Dave’ is a well known name face.. and voice in the North East Running scene!!.. especially renamed for this feature, please give a Christmas welcome to the one & only ‘Dave’ Baker
'Dave' Baker
I got into serious athletics late in life after what I can only describe as living life to the full.
Having played Rugby and football for nigh on 40yrs I always tried to keep fit and ran the first GNR on a diet of bait,tabs,and beer and flirted with a few more GNR,s after that. It wasn’t until the mid to late 90’s that I started to run more and after doing some local races with my mate from work (Jimmy Logue) we kept bumping into Messrs Payne, Joyce and Turnbull who encouraged us to join the club they ran for so after much debate we did.
I struggled for a while, while I got to grips of being a fat slow plodder and still eating and drinking my way round Europe watching the toon play, then all of a sudden I hit 40 and things started to click, and under the guidance of coach Dave my times just started to tumble, 1-24 for 1/2 marathon 37-12 10k 17-55 for 3miles 18-00 for 5k and 61-10 for ten mile and 8th overall in the Prudhoe Harrier League ( oh I wish I could get anywhere near those times now) I have ran at local, Regional and National 12/ 6 stages and I’ve loved it, but anyone who knows me it’s mud glorious mud that drives me I love it 700- 1000 men running at the Nationals you can’t beat it.
I have done a lot of traveling over the years and the 1st thing I pack is my running kit, I have ran in Holland,Germany, Belarus,Poland, Hungary, Austria, Romania America and many other places to many to mention.
I am now at the stage in my running life where my times, are to be honest crap but I still enjoy it, and it’s great to see TBH moving forward so fast and so strong.
Love
Micky ‘DAVE’ Baker
11 Responses
Excellent write up
Micky Baker is an absolute legend !! a top bloke who knows his stuff.. honest, reliable and bloody good craic !! He has been a great inspiration to me over the years I have known him in both in training & racing and he’s a brilliant motivator.
2012 will see Micky take over from the current Secretary of the NEHL and I’m sure it is a role that he will perform fantastically in area of our sport where Micky is a true ambassador .. Cross Country
very proud to know you Micky, and an honour to have you as an extremely valuable member of Tyne Bridge Harriers.
All the very best to you for 2012 Micky and look forward to seeing you out on the field at The Northerns !!
The ‘Loudest’ of the Dave’s has experience and you normally hear Micky before you see him. Again I can say I have had great battles with Micky on the running field – Brampton- Carlisle (2002 I think) and the old Blyth Valley 10m both come to mind .
Always great company and a wealth of experience which we are all thankfull for at TBH and as Shades says its great to have you as the Secretary of the NEHL as well as on our Committee.
All the best Dave,Micky,General,Secretary, Baker Boy…….
Dave Snap Baker was one of the reasons I joined TBH in the first place, I have known him for over thirty years and can confirm everything he has said, particularly the fat slow plodder bit. To echo Pauls comments about hearing him before seeing him, I remember being on a Metro after the finish of an early GNR and literally from the opposite end of a packed carriage Micky bellowing, “How Apples what time did ye dee?”
On a more serious note I know how hard Micky has worked over the years and how much he has contributed to Club athletics and more importantly how lucky we are to have The Voice on board.
Running can be a very lonely past-time at times, not to mention a cruel one too (anyone who has missed out on a PB by seconds will testify to that). So it is vital you have friends in the sport who not only celebrate with you in the good times, but are also there in the bad times, to lift you up, raise your spirits and make you feel good about yourself. I feel blessed to count Mickey as one of those friends.
Good luck with your new role in 2012 and thanks for your advice and support over the last few months Micky.
One of the 12 disciples at the first meeting to form TBH. Would give you the shirt off his back, Top Bloke
Top notch bloke, a true corner stone of the TBH community.
A really fine report Micky very interesting- I’m glad I wasn’t running 10 years ago !
You’ve got quite a few more years yet so get yourself fit as you’re not putting me under any pressure. You didn’t mention the steeplechase – you weren’t that bad at that either !
Have a great New year and sure to see you in 2012.
great report mickey that is something that anyone in the racing world should be proud of the work that you and john do for charity is just fantastic having you at TBH passing on your experience and helping everyone is second to none i wish you and your family a very merry christmas
Your a top bloke Micky and a big presence around the club. You always have a good tale to tell, good luck next year mate.
Great read Micky. I’ll always remember that you provided me with the funniest moment Ive seen in all my years running when you sped past me on your backside in the mud at the NEXC championships at Satlburn in December 1999.