Archive For The “Running Free” Category
“You don’t run 26 miles at five minutes a mile on good looks and a secret recipe” – Frank Shorter. What Frank said is true for a two-ten marathoner. But what about sub-two? What about running twenty-six miles at four minutes and twenty-three seconds per mile? What about that?
Many storylines, but there is one I have yet to see noted. You might say, an actual secret. Because over a half century later, few understand, After The Work, The Rest Is Easy.
Back in the day, never thought two hours would be broken in my lifetime. Of course, never thought I’d live to be 79. I also did not also anticipate a 3:47 miler in $500 super shoes. With a Magic Elixir, too. And I don’t mean PEDs.
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.
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).
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.
Remind the world – especially themselves – that USA runners can be great and can compete with all of the rest of the best.
I am a lot more like a fish than you might imagine. Slippery and scaly, just for starters.