Author Archive
Many of the early employees were accomplished local runners. We took training seriously, and the store work schedule was structured to allow for training. That was an important aspect of working at the Oregon Runner.
He first appeared on the Boston Running scene in the late 1970’s, a tall, lean redheaded kid with a quiet intensity. When you asked him where he was from he would say Northern Maine. There was a difference between Maine and Northern Maine.
He once told Bill Rodgers he wanted to be one of the “heavies” in the Boston running Scene. Boston had a lot of “heavies” back then.
The Distance Gods have names like Joanie and Frank and Billy, runners whose reach touched the heavens, whose wings did not fall off as they rushed the sun.
As true in the races, another group stuck closer to the ground, trailed close behind but could never catch up. Despite all that time and all those miles and the pain, a grim determination to be great or crumble in the struggle, they couldn’t quite get there.
My fitness plan is not to fall. Almost two years since I last bent my left knee. Now, everything I do is rehab. Making the king-size bed is a good stretch. Wash the dishes by hand, sooth some arthritis. The big vacuum more than I can safely handle, so I use a broom. More stretching. Tell myself it’s just tai-chi. With chores instead of baby goats.
Back in the day, the ladies were nothing less than great explorers, seeking the outer limits of, well, their limits. Who knew how fast they could go? Who could have guessed how many millions of women would follow?
I remember thinking early on – this how crazy I am – if I was a female, I would be the 13th fastest marathoner in the world. Not long after, the only way I could keep up was by riding the press truck and getting a head start.
Must be stilettos.
Minimum height of 2.75 inches (approx. 7 cm).
No platform soles allowed (maximum toe platform of 1.5 cm).
Jeffing is a popular run-walk-run training technique that boosts endurance and reduces injury risk by alternating between, timed running and walking intervals, rather than running continuously.
In recent years, sociologists and psychologists have conducted research on sisu, attempting to quantify it and identify its effects, beneficial and harmful, in both individuals and populations.
Six years ago or so, Jeff shared with me the tale of his surprise Olympic qualification in 1972. He passed away yesterday at the age of 80. He was hoping to do one more marathon.
At the lesbian birthday party there’s a eight-person hot tub, numerous earth mothers and white witches, plus much understanding. No other men.