obstinate – unreasonably determined to have one’s own way; not yielding to reason or plea; stubborn; dogged; mulish
Obstinate. Lord knows, I mean that in a good way. For example, he lives in The Snowmobile Capital Of The North.
He ice fishes. For fun.
When did you start running and why?
I started running when I was 17 and a junior in high school. I was such a shy kid growing up, especially around girls. I thought if I earned a high school letter jacket that it would help me get a girlfriend.
I went out for the football team and within 30 minutes I got gang tackled, After that happened, I thought there’s not a girl alive worth going through that, so I quit, walked off the field. My entire football career lasted less than a hour!
So, a week later, a friend suggested I go out for the XC team. I had no idea what it was but, when he said you won’t get tackled, I thought I’d give it a try. So I went out. I was terrible that first year but I fell in love with running!
Toughest opponent and why?
That’s a close one but I’d have to say Alberto Salazar but a very close second would be Bill Rodgers. When I raced against Alberto in the 1982 Boston Marathon, it was a very warm day and a loaded field. Once we broke away, it was just him and me.
At 17 miles I did everything I could to break him, through the hills and all the way to the finish. A couple of times I thought I had him on the ropes but he was tough, physically and especially mentally.
Most memorable run and why?
Most people think it was the 1982 Boston Marathon, that’s a very close second but for me it was the 1981 Grandmas Marathon in Duluth MN. I was very fortunate to win that day in 2:09:36 but the reason it was so special was it was the first time my mom and dad saw me run a marathon. They were both at the finish and my dad – who you could have hit over the head with a two by four and he wouldn’t cry – was crying like a baby he was so proud and happy.
Biggest disappointment and why?
It would have to be finishing 1.6 seconds behind Alberto in Boston. I remember looking up when I finished and the clock was still in the 2:08’s and half of me had never been so happy and the other half had never been so disappointed! I’m thinking, I just ran 2:08 but finished second – how can that be?!
But when I went back over the race in my mind, I was smiling from ear to ear. I knew I had given it my very, very best and that’s all anyone can hope for.
Dick, Bill Rodgers, Alberto Salazar & Ed Mendoza
What would you do differently if you could do it again? Why?
I don’t think I’d do anything different. I trained harder than I’d ever trained before. We had a brutal winter that year here in Minnesota and I remember one morning I got up to go run and the actual temperature was minus 60! -60 degrees. That’s cold. I got my workout in and I think that run that morning and the workout I did in a blizzard ten days before Boston, up and down Heartbreak Hill, helped me to stay mentally tough that day in Boston.
Favorite philosopher? Quote?
I’m not up on any philosophers but someone that I quote sometimes is one of the greatest golfers, Ben Hogan. He’d won numerous major golf championships and then got in a terrible car accident. He almost died and, though he survived, doctors said he’d probably never walk again. Not only did he walk again but he went on to win a few more majors.
His quote was IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP TO ME.
Major wins?
I was fortunate to win the inaugural London Marathon in 1981. (2:11:48) Inge Simonsen of Norway also won. We actually tied and became great friends over all those years!
I won Grandmas in 1981 and 1982. My 2:09:36 in 1981 stood for 33 years until a Kenyan athlete broke it. [Dominic Ondoro – 2:09:06.]
Dick wrote Staying The Course: A Runner’s Toughest Race. Here’s the description on Amazon:
For a moment Dick Beardsley became the most famous runner in the world by losing a race. In the 1982 Boston Marathon, Beardsley, foiled by a motorcycle that cut him off, finished two seconds behind Alberto Salazar in one of the most memorable contests in marathon history. Staying the Course recounts that race and the difficult years that followed, including his recovery from a near-fatal farm accident, his subsequent addiction to painkillers, and a public arrest for forging prescriptions. His story of overcoming obstacles speaks to anyone who loves competition, who has survived catastrophe, or who has pursued a seemingly impossible goal.
Anything you left out of your book?
My book came out in 2002 and much has happened since then. The biggest thing though is I lost my son Andy on October 4, 2015. He was a Iraq war veteran and suffered from PTSD when he returned. He died of suicide at the age of 31.
And because you are you, I am curious about your toughness.
Farming, ice fishing, drug addiction, injury, etc.
Seems like marathoning doesn’t begin to tell the story.
You’re right. Marathoning is a small part of the story but a big one. I sure wasn’t anywhere close to being the most talented runner but growing up milking cows, running a trap line, starting my own fishing guide business at the age of twelve (12), hard work and having lots of faith has never been a problem for me. In fact I enjoy that and still do!
I think all of those things definitely helped me with my running and dealing with other difficulties in my life in a positive way. I still run every day and love it as much as ever but I’m slower than molasses in January, but that doesn’t bother me a bit!
What was your edge?
I think being mentally tough helped a lot. Living in Minnesota where the winters are long and sometimes brutal was a benefit to toughen you up. Having a love for the outdoors and being in it all of my life has showed me to appreciate everything in my life and to never take anything for granted.
I got hooked up with the New Balance shoe company in 1979 when I was a average runner at best, someone besides me believed in what I was doing and that was huge.
Then in the summer of 1980 I got together with Coach Bill Squires who at the time was the Team New Balance coach. He took me under his wing and he lifted my running to a place I’d only dreamed about!
What was your best stretch of running?
I would say from 1980 thru 1982. After Boston in ‘82 I started having left Achilles problems and ended up having two major surgeries, the first in August of ‘83 and then again in February of ‘84. That kept me from trying to make the ‘84 Olympic Marathon Team, which was very disappointing!
A year and a half after my last surgery, I was able to start training again but was never able to get back to that real high level.
And why do you think you did what you did then?
From when I started running in 1973 until after Boston in ‘82 I never had a injury. I had a long string of years with lots of miles that made me very strong.
PERSONAL RECORDS?
Mile – 4:19
10k – 29:12 (road)
15k – 44:10
10 Mile – 48:20
20k – 1:00:10
Half Marathon – 1:02:56
Marathon – 2:08:53
Have to think that’s the slowest mile PR of any 2:08 marathoner in the history of the known world. I have to think that.
But enough about running. I saw you have a new project, a bed & breakfast. Is that why you get up at 3:45 a.m. and is it rude to inquire about possible masochistic tendencies?
Our B&B is really mostly my wife Jill’s thing. I make sure the grass is mowed and the walks and driveway are cleared of snow, do repairs, and help out other ways if needed. I sure don’t need anything else to keep me busy!
Whether you’re longing for a relaxing stay overlooking Lake Bemidji, a romantic get-away, a fantastic day of fishing, or a pleasant stop while traveling for business, enjoy the quiet ambiance of Lake Bemidji Bed & Breakfast. Just 200 feet from the west shore of Lake Bemidji, you’ll awaken in one of our richly appointed guest rooms to a breathtaking view of the morning sun rising over the lake.
Special song of the era?
“Are the good times really over” by Merle Haggard.
Favorite comedian?
Ron White.
Don’t know if Dick would approve, but this is one of my favorite bits by The Tater.
I am thinking Inspirational Fishing Guide Dick Beardsley should consider a Guru Package. Stay at his house, go running together, fishing and daily bull sessions around the fire. Which better be hot. Because my idea of ice fishing is pulling the last olive out of the bottom of the glass. – JDW
