A woman consults with her physician and says, “Doctor, I have a problem. I can’t stop singing ‘The Green, Green Grass of Home.’” The doctor replies, “That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome.” The woman asks, “Is it common?” The doctor responds, “It’s not unusual!”
No joke – Fred Doyle is an Original Gangster Of Running.
The Head Boys/Girls XC Coach and Assistant for both Indoor and Outdoor Track at Bishop Fenwick HS in Peabody, MA, Doyle also runs a Cross-Country and Speed Camp at Greater Lawrence Technical School in the summer.
Doyle was the coach of both boys and girls in Swampscott, MA for seven years. Having coached many championship teams and individuals in both XC and track, he has won many awards including being indicted [sic] into Swampscott Hall of Fame. Professionally, Fred worked for Nike for 25 years as the Director of Running Commerce and Saucony for another eight years as VP. His running career began in high school and he went on to run in college and beyond, including as a qualifier for Olympic Trials in the Marathon. Fred also posted impressive times in the mile, two-mile, steeple and 5K.
Found that on the internet. Apparently, Coach is on the staff of the US Sports Camps, too. I bet he’s fun. Say that because Fred Doyle is famous throughout the running community for three things – his business acumen, his coaching talents and, most of all, his sense of humor.
On his deathbed, John gasped pitifully.
"Give me one last request, dear," he said.
"Of course, John," his wife said softly.
"After I die," John said, "I want you to marry Bob."
"But I thought you hated Bob," she said.
With his last breath, John says, "I do."
Fred shares his latest jokes monthly with a select audience and promised to add me to the mailing list.
It’s all about who you know.
When did you start running and why?
September, 1966 as a sophomore in HS to get in shape for Basketball.
Toughest opponent and why?
Greg Meyer – He would never give up, either in a workout or a race.
Most memorable run and why?
Long Run with Joan Benoit in Santa Monica, CA a week before her 1984 Olympic Gold Medal race in the Marathon. Every time some runner would recognize her and try to tag along, she picked up the pace.
Biggest disappointment and why?
1980 Olympic Trials Marathon in Buffalo, NY when I DNF’d at 15 miles due to injury.
What would you do differently if you could do it again? Why?
Listen to my body more and back off before injuries hit.
Favorite philosopher? Quote?
Maya Angelou -“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
Special song of the era?
“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor.
Favorite comedian?
Rodney Dangerfield.
What was your ‘best stretch of running’?
Fall 1975- Fall 1976 -Trained with the GBTC and Coach Bill Squires.
Calendar year 1979 – Increased mileage
And so why do you think you hit that level at that time?
Good training partners and increased mileage, longer intervals and more selective in choosing races.
What was your edge?
Same as above.
What supplementary exercise did you do?
Weight Training and pool running.
What was your toughest injury and how did you deal with it??
Sciatica – Saw a chiropractor and he performed adjustments and gave me a stretching and strengthening program.
Running Career – Greater Boston Track Club
- Member of fifteen New England and two National Championship GBTC teams,
- Six Top-10 finishes in the New England XC Club Championships.
- Won three Individual titles in the New England Track Championships in the Mile, Steeplechase and 3-Mile.
- NE AAU Championship Runner up to Mark Belger (3:57) in the first sub-4:00 Mile ever run in New England in a PR (4:05).
- Set three still standing records in Boston College Track Events –
- Christmas Invitational Two-Mile (8:52),
- BC Relays Steeplechase (8:54).
- BC Twilight Series Meets 1500 (3:47).
- National Sub Masters Mile Champion in 1982
- Two-Mile Record Holder (8:46) at Coast Guard Relays.
- Great Northern Run Marathon Champion in Scarborough, UK (CR 2:19:34) leading a GBTC team victory.
- 1980 Olympic Marathon Trials participant.
Coaching Career
- Head Boys & Girls XC Coach at Bishop Fenwick HS
- Swampscott HS Teams were State Divisional runner-ups 6 times in Cross Country
- Boys & Girls Track teams each won a State Relays and State Divisional Championship
- Won12 Northeastern Conference Championships – Boys/Girls XC/Track
- Named to the Lynn Item 25th Anniversary Track/XC All Stars – Girls Coach
- Coached 10 Boston Globe All Scholastics
- Dual meet record of 180-45-1
- Inducted into the Swampscott HS Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the Lynn English HS Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the MSTCA Track Coaches Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the Running Retailers Hall of Fame
Little Johnny was causing trouble in first grade. The teacher asked him what his problem was.
"I'm too smart for first grade. My sister is in third grade, and I'm smarter than her, too."
So, the teacher took him to the principal's office. The superintendent of education happened to be visiting. He suggested that he could give Johnny a test of third grade material. If Johnny indeed knew the material, he would be promoted directly to fourth grade.
The superintendent asked, "What's three times three?"
"Nine" replied Johnny.
"What is six times six? "
"Thirty-six."
"What is the capital of South Dakota?"
"Pierre."
It went on like this until the superintendent was satisfied that Johnny knew everything a third grader should know.
However, the teacher interjected, "Let me ask him a few questions."
"What does a cow have four of that I have two of?"
"Legs."
"What do you have in your pants that I don't have in mine?"
"Pockets."
"What does a dog do that a man steps in?"
"Pants."
"What word begins with F and ends with K, and always causes a lot of excitement?"
"Firetruck."
"Put Johnny in fifth grade." the superintendent interrupted.
"I got the last four answers wrong myself!"