Here’s something I wrote maybe thirty months ago. – JDW
A few days ago, less than three weeks after commencing my post-surgery 90-Day Fitness Plan, I decided to do a speed workout. “Speed” for me these days might be a 3.6 mile walk in 54:30. I was fairly pleased. So pleased in fact, two days later, I decided to do a long run. A “long run” for me these days might be a 4.5 mile walk in 70 minutes. Towards the end, my foot started giving me a little shout-out. And it was hot and humid, of course.
Felt fairly okay with my effort. And – here I blame the Pre Meet – I found myself wondering what I might have been doing in early June 40 years ago.
My journal from 1973 was fairly boring. But, nine months or so after moving to Flagstaff, a visit to New York in ’74 offered more memorable entries.
“May 27, Mon. 10th Annual Greenwich Five-Mile race. Finished 71st of 384 starters in a time of 29:24. A 5:52.8 pace and a new PR. Excellent conditions for racing. Satisfied with time but by no means overjoyed.
“May 28 Tues. Noon. 8.0 mi. easy. Very stiff.
“May 29. Weds. 8:30 a.m. Pouring rain. 3.6 miles. Legs remain stiff. 4 p.m. Same as a.m. Day = 7.2 mi. (Saw Jipcho run 3:56.5 at Garden.)
“May 30. Thurs. Noon. 8.0 mi. Medium. Legs improved.
“May 31. Fri. 4 p.m. 6.0 easily.
“June 1. Sat. Noon. Overcast. 2.0 miles easily “fartlek”. Just unlimbering.
“8 wk. average is 66.1 miles. 5 x 70+ weeks. 3 x 20 mile runs. 1 x 15 mile run. 3 races 2-6 miles.
” Not enough training – overweight – faster & stronger – more experienced – good luck!
“June 2 Sun. 11 a.m. Upper 50s – very humid – drizzle. 1974 National AAU Championships/Yonkers Marathon (Yonkers, New York). With some 350 starters, finished 91st in 2:59:25 (6:50.8 pace), a PR by some 5 1/2 mins. Though the surface was abominable, with much mud & some very rocky section. Also quite hilly.”
Yonkers was a lap-course, six miles & change per lap, maybe 800 meters of each lap run on the horse-race track, which was dirt and therefore muddy & slippery. Ron Wayne won in 2:18:53. Because I was six miles back, thereabouts, I was a lap behind and across the track, so I had a great view of the finish. John Vitale, an early hero of mine, had the race in hand, just cruising along, figuring he had another circuit of the horse track to go. Mr. Wayne knew better and sprinted into the lead just feet from the finish. Surprised both of them! Wayne was national champion, you can look it up. Vitale’s name, well, not so much.
Seems to me Nina Kuscik and Ted Corbitt were among the competitors. I was so proud just to be in the same race as these greats. Almost get close enough to reach out and touch the slow ones.
Some serious George Plimpton- style participatory journalism
But I digress. I dug into my journals because I was wondering where I was when Pre roamed the tracks and trails. I wondered how I was training and how fast – or slow – I was. I was frankly curious about who I used to be. I decided that was cool, but it doesn’t really matter much. Not much today anyway. Not the pace, not the place, not the distance.
But what does matter is the drive and desire and joy and effort and motivation and persistence and passion. I still got it. I may be old but I am as young as I’ll ever be.
I can go faster, I can go longer. And I will.
But carefully. Very carefully.
Two years later.
Recently decided – actually doctors pretty much told me – my running days may be over. But I am determined to be the best shuffler I can be.
Just old school. O.G. for damn sure.