Archive For The “Running Free” Category
Every time I fail, I assume I will be a stronger person for it. I keep on running figuratively and literally, despite a limp that gets more noticeable with each passing season, because for me there has always been a place to go and a terrible urgency to get there. – Joan Benoit So, anyway,…
Alamosa, Colorado, hosted the Olympic Trials marathon in August 1968. Because its 7,544-foot elevation was nearly identical to that of Mexico City, no qualifying standard had been set. Fears that runners might die in the rarified air seemed unfounded, but nevertheless, racing at that altitude caused loved ones to pause and athletes to wonder. Chapter…
Know I’m preaching to the choir here, but this great sport is really much more than that for many of us. Practically a religion. A labor of love and a love of labor begets excellence. Can I have a “Hallelujah?” And the best pass it on. Coaches like Joe Volk. Amen. A Collection of Reflections,…
There was the grey of the overcast skies and the hair of 54-year-old Sister Marion Irvine. There was the evergreen of Douglas fir and 16-year-old Cathy Schiro. There was the gold of the Scotch broom and the dreams of the top three finishers. There was the mystery and misery and mastery of Joan Benoit. There…
Brother/Sister acts in sport are rare. Not since the Heidens of Olympic ice-skating fame have we seen the likes of the Wapitis of New Mexico, a pair of Native Americans who have risen to the top of the prep ranks in the Southwest. THE JACKRABBIT AND THE COYOTE Distant mountains framed the fertile valley…
I have fond memories of the race. We were treated very nicely. I felt like a “rock star.” Kathy Lee Crosby was on the course as a commentator. I collapsed at 17 miles with heat exhaustion. – Jan Arenz Klecker What happens when you unearth an important event in history that no one remembers? They…
Bloomsday: Spokane’s iconic annual 12K race, organized by the Lilac Bloomsday Association, attracts thousands each May. Since 1977, it’s been a beloved tradition fostering health, fitness, and community spirit. The challenging course winds through scenic streets, showcasing landmarks and providing a unique experience for runners of all levels. Beyond a sporting event, Bloomsday is a…
Sarah Herrington, the stellar 1500-meter specialist from the Twin Cities has transplanted to St. Louis in an attempt to change her luck. The winner of countless Invitational and Relays titles, the 5’11” track star is most famous for what she has not achieved, namely, a berth on the U.S. Olympic Team. Chapter Two SARAH HERRINGTON Their love…
This book is dedicated to every person who has ever pursued a difficult goal and followed that quest to its conclusion. – Jay Birmingham, Raleigh, North Carolina 2024 Chapter One BILL SZYMCZAK At this distance, details are lost: all I can see is a terrible crush of bodies. The panicked mob pushes, everyone mindless…
Writing is hard. Personally, I’d rather read. So, I will be offering Throwback Thursdays as needed. It’s Thursday in Europe.2015, still trying to convince myself there was still a chance I could run. And ‘still’ it was. “Old age is very demanding somehow,” author Kay Boyle once wrote a much younger friend. “One knows what…