Alastair Dunlop, who broke a Nolan Shaheed M55 world record last month, says he’s not quite done yet. Up next: a run at the M55 world indoor record for 800, which stands at 2:08.15 by Britain’s Reginald Phipps a decade ago. I got Alastair’s email address through a UK friend (thanks, Pete Mulholland!), and Mr. D began his reply: “I will endeavour to answer your questions without giving too much away. We Scots have a reputation for keeping things close to our chests and I am definitely in that category. I am highly competitive and hope to retain that edge. I have never been beaten by a North American  and intend to keep it that way.” Here’s Alastair at the 2006 Eurovets championships in Poznan, Poland:

Here’s the rest of Alastair’s note (edited for American readers), which covered a bunch of my separate questions:
 
I live on a Scottish island — Isle of Lewis.Stornoway is the main town, population approx 7,000. Our home is at the north end of the island (the largest island in the Outer Hebrides) where the land is flat and open to frequent Atlantic gales .
 
We have stunning beaches but no trees due to the strength of the wind and poor soils . I am married with three daughters and one grandson . I am head of Physical Education in the island’s only senior school — the Nicolson Institute, which is in Stornoway approx 30 miles from home.
 
I have been living here for 30 years, but my family home was on the mainland near Stirling (does “Braveheart” ring any bells?). Although I was good at athletics in school, I played football at a good level until my thirties and began to look for new challenges.
 
I won a few half-marathons before entering an 800-meter masters race when I turned 40. Since 1994, I have never lost an 800 race indoor or outdoor at the Scottish masters champs. I was the first vet to go under two minutes in 1995 and my time of 1.58.36 remains the Scottish record, which was indoor . My best outdoor time is 1.58.45 when I was third at the European champs in Malmo in 1996.
 
I have won many races, but the best two were 1) winning the world indoors in Sindelfingen in 2004 when Nolan was third in the M50 class in a time of  and 2.02.2 and 2)   winning the world 1500 M50 in San Sebastian in 2005 in 4:12 (thanks to Dave Clingan for a great race).
 
I suffered a medial knee injury two years ago which set me back somewhat, but while it will never be perfect again is certainly better . I was 55 on Dec. 17 and I did target the M55 800 and 1500 indoor records this January in Glasgow . I failed on the 800 but I will have another go on Feb. 21.
 
Because of where I live, I do not compete often as I have to fly or take a three-hour ferry to the mainland . I usually train only three times a week . My job helps to keep me fit and I cannot be too tired as my classes will suffer .
 
I’m afraid even here teaching can be very demanding . Normally once on the track, perhaps 8×200, once on the road approx 5 miles and once on grassland close to the beach, hill runs and sand runs. Each time as hard as possible. I train on my own. No coach, no help — but that suits me . So far so good.
 
My philosophy is just run. I run road races, cross country and track. I am involved in lots of sports e.g. basketball, badminton, football, hill walking, bird watching.
 
I intend to run the 800 and 1500 in Lahti, although it is not certain I will go as my daughter is expecting a child late July and also I feel sometimes I should do something else in my summer holidays.
 
For years now I have been scared to do other activities in case of injuries. Since turning 50 I have also been plagued by calf problems which take ages to heal. I admit after winning two world titles I lost some motivation as what else can you do, but breaking world records is something different so I’ll keep going for now. I look forward to any challenges this year and to possibly racing against Nolan and Dave in the summer.