Here is a most recommended read by Ray O'Donoghue, an author, photographer and long time 'hard as nails' athlete. Think you have had a hard day at work? Read this and re-assess!! A good read for all ages. I'm sure many of us can relate to sections of this heart touching and thought provoking book. Ray recently told me he wrote the idea for the book back in Brighton in August 1956, the year he came to live in England, but started it seriously in 1968 while working on a drugs Dependecy Unit at Tooting Bec. He has finally put pen to paper and the result is a fascinating insight into life, love, running and all the interesting characters along the path.

Entitled 'Tears on my Pillow', Ray's very frank story tells of his violent father and alcoholic mother and a brief fling with freedom as a virtual orphan before spending five years in the Glin Industrial School for delinquent boys.
As a 20-year-old, Ray found himself Tarmacking the roads of south London and living in a flat close to Tooting Bec. When visiting the local running track after meeting up with Stan Allen - still coaching there almost 50 years later - he decided to take up running to improve his fitness.

Ray was soon running every day and competing regularly, no easy task after a day's labouring, and admits, "Running for me has been a life saver and I always gave it 100 per cent. As I have got older, I have come to realise that life itself is like running and racing: You need stamina, endurance and patience; but most of all perseverance in the face of adversity."
It was in 1963 after meeting Tom Richards, the 1948 Olympic marathon silver medallist, that provided another lift in Ray's life, saving him from a life of labouring. Richards was a charge nurse at the local Tooting Bec Psychiatric Hospital and invited Ray to apply for a position as a porter.
From there, Ray gained qualifications to become a nurse, which was difficult for someone who admits to a certain lack of education. But still, time was found during the long periods of studying to continue his love of running.
Ray's favourite performance was when completing the 1983 London Marathon in 2hr 45min 47sec as a 41-year-old. "Coming over Tower Bridge, I felt as if I was flying and feeling like an Olympic Champion."

Reproduced by permission of Running Fitness Magazine.
'Tears on my Pillow' published by Book Guild Publishing, Pavilion View, 19 New Road, Brighton, Sussex, England, BN1 1UF at £17.99 (ISBN 978 1 84624 1147)