Have yet to explore all 5,022 items for sale at Neal's Running Store - not a paid endorsement - https://www.ebay.com/str/runningmagazinesbooksmemorabilia and they get new old stuff in all the time, I imagine.
But the surprises keep on coming.
Would you believe I did it again?
After all the excitement of my discovery died down, realize this particular profile is in fact in my book, When Running Was Young & So Were We.
And also appeared on jackdogwelch.com over eight years ago.
The format fooled me.
But wait! There’s more.
And it’s new.
This Does Bring Back A Lot Of Memories by Steve Spence
This does bring back a lot of memories. I mostly think of those who helped me along the way and who made that World Championship performance possible. Each person mentioned is a story unto themselves.
My wife, Kirsten Harteis, who was – and continues to be – a constant source of support, encouragement and an example of someone who is able to do hard things.
My dad, Steven H. Spence and mom, Dorothy Carson. Especially my dad for encouraging me to take a risk, quit my day job and go all in as a post-collegiate runner.
My mother and father-in-law, Bob and Jane Harteis who were there for Kirsten and the kids in my absence.
My grandparents, Gene and Bobbie Reese, who drove or flew to many of my races in the states. #1 fans who loved the road racing environment and they befriended many of the International runners on the circuit. They were friends with John Traecy, Steve Jones and many of the Kenyan athletes.
Dr. David Martin, Exercise physiologist in charge of marathon development for USATF. Couldn’t have done it without Dr. Dave’s insights and infectious encouragement.
Doug Lentz, my strength coach and one of the many who biked with me on long runs and collaborated with Dr. Dave on my strength development.
My agent who also advised me with training and racing, Don Paul.
The athletic administration, athletic trainers, coaches and athletes(including Randy Lowe, who did many runs and workouts with me) at Shippensburg University where I was serving as a volunteer coach at the time.
Our dogs, Sueme and Kashi (yellow lab and golden retriever mix) who were adopted from the Boulder County Humane Society as pups. They were my morning run partners who ran endless miles with me. Sueme half a step ahead on my left and Kashi a half a step behind on my right.
My training partner and World Championship teammate, Steve Taylor, who now coaches at Richmond University with his wife, Lori. We did some epic runs and workouts and had so much fun.
My summer training partner in Boulder, Chris Prior, who pushed me and sometimes sacrificed his goals to help me prepare for races.
My friend, Pat Butler in Boulder, who provided a place for me and Kirsten to live in his home which was affectionately known as Pat’s Home for Wayward Runners.
My massage therapist Nick Kelly in Boulder, who would put my body back together after the hard workouts.
Doug Thurston and the good folks in Columbus, OH who organized the Columbus Marathon which qualified me for the WC team. They provided that stipend which allowed me to prepare properly for the WCs.
The friends I made in Maine (Summer ’91) who ran with me and sometimes biked alongside me. Giles Norton was a great source of encouragement and entertainment.
Our neighbors who supported my wife by shoveling our walk, cutting our grass and helping my wife and children in so many ways when I wasn’t home.
My mentor, Jon Sinclair, who patiently taught me what commitment it took to be a national class road racer.
Another mentor, John Doub, a 1979 Ship grad who introduced me to the road racing seen and who taught me what hard training was about.
Kevin McGarry, a fast runner that I met while working full time in Northern VA. He pushed me in workouts and helped me to dream big.
My college roommate, Rob Berkebile, who accompanied me on runs and paced me for track workouts and did my taxes for 40 years.
Billy King, founder and director of the Steamtown marathon in Scranton, who convinced me to quit my full-time job and spend the summer of 1987 with him in Fort Collins, CO training with Jon Sinclair.
Mike Spinnler, local legend and director of the JFK 50 miler, who ran and biked with me and who welcomed me to run with his group in the Hagerstown area, which included Chris Fox, Terry Baker and Jeff Scuffins.
My friends and competitors who pushed me to be the best that I could be. Keith Brantly, Ed Eyestone, Chris Fox and Steve Taylor to name a few.
Doug Alred and the folks in Jacksonville, FL who were involved in the Gate River Run 15k, where I made my break-through in March 1988 and got my first major road race victory.
My sponsors from the beginning with Adidas, The Sports Chalet, Western PA Adidas, Reebok, New Balance, Oakley, PowerBar, TwinLab, Nike.
We now have 9 grandchildren and I’m still coaching at Shippensburg University. Beginning my 29th year as a head coach!