Original Gangsters Of Running (Bob Hodge)

Always good to count your blessings. – B.H.

When did you start running and why?

I was a Frosh in high school Phys. Ed. The teacher suggested I try out for cross country when he saw my speed on the base paths in our pick-up baseball games. Of course, I had no idea what XC was but after my first race – the frosh/soph division of the CMI Invite at famed Franklin Park course – I was hooked.

Toughest opponent and why?

That is a tough one ‘cause on any given day, it is just that guy you happen to be up against and then it mostly came down to you. How well prepared I was and how badly did I want to conquer.

My own teammates on GBTC (Greater Boston Track Club) Rodgers, Meyer, Dillon, Salazar, Mahoney, Fleming, Thomas, Roche. As much as we worked together to succeed, we also were competitive with each other. But not in workouts; generally only in important races.

Most memorable run and why?

Beppu Marathon in Japan in 1982, a race I won by seven seconds. I am one of only a few Americans to win a “major” marathon in Japan, along with Shorter and Rodgers. The marathon is a big deal in Japan and it was an unforgettable experience.

Biggest disappointment and why?

1980 Olympic Boycott. In 1978, when I decided to dedicate myself to athletics for some period of time. I was thinking almost more about the 1984 Games because I thought it might take that long to develop. That all changed when I finished third at Boston in 1979 in my second marathon and ran 16 minutes faster than my personal best. I ran 2:12:30 and was ranked 7th in the country by the Bible of the Sport (Track & Field News) and after that I wanted to do everything I possibly could to make that ’80 Team.

I was in Florida winter/spring ’79, when I first heard about the boycott and that really burst my naive bubble. I did not run the Trials because I did not want to be complicit.

What would you do differently if you could do it again? Why?

Well, I made plenty of mistakes and generally learned from them, so then I was growing in athletics. Even though we had a great coach in Bill Squires, we still were mostly individuals on our own. We raced a lot, which generally fit well into my training, was fun and I came home with a check or a blender or something like that.

Sometimes you need to say, whoa! and step back, be more analytical, but I was flying by the seat of my pants. I was whimsical and, if something felt right, I did it. But I can’t really say I would change anything. I was blessed.

Running is so different today when Galen Rupp runs maybe six races a year and spends the rest of the time in the lab with Alberto. It may have garnered him Olympic medals but would it hurt to compete in some races across America? Not barnstorming like his coach did or Bill Rodgers, but enough to let America see its best athletes in action on the road race carnival circuit.

I think it would help a helluva a lot if Galen took a shot at Falmouth and Peachtree and Bay-To-Breakers and Beach-To-Beacon or wherever.

Favorite philosopher? Quote?

Uncle Walt Whitman.

Do poets count? [Poets always count. – ed.]

“Though much is taken, much abides; and though

We are not now that strength which in old days

Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;

One equal temper of heroic hearts,

Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.” – Tennyson

“I tramp the perpetual journey

My signs are a rain-proof coat, good shoes, and a staff cut from the woods,

No friend of mine takes his ease in my chair,

I have no chair, no philosophy,

I lead no man to a dinner-table, library, exchange,

But each man and each woman of you I lead upon a knoll,

My left hand hooking you round the waist,

My right hand pointing to landscapes of continents and the public road.

Not I, not any one else can travel that road for you,

You must travel it for yourself.” – Whitman

Special song of the era?

So many….. “Tuff Enuff.” Fabulous Thunderbirds.

Favorite comedian?

Bill Murray. “Whatever you do, always give 100%. Unless you’re donating blood.”

What was your ‘best stretch of running’? And so why do you think you hit that level at that time?

1978-1988 all had their ups and downs. I ran my marathon PR 2:10:59 in the spring of 1980, then I had the most serious injury of my career in the fall of ’80.

I hung in and had very good years in ’82, when I won Beppu and finished 5th at Fukuoka in 2:11:52. I also ran well on the track, finishing 5th at Nationals in 28:44 for the 10K and competing in the USA vs. USSR Meet. In ’84, I ran 28:24, placing 5th at Penn Relays.

I was running very well in ’84, preparing for the Marathon Trial, end of May, but I may have peaked too soon. Or the allergies I was having problems with at the time led to more fatigue. I finished 17th at the Trial in 2:18. Very disappointing. In ’87, I made my first World Cross team and in ’88, I finished 7th in the marathon trial.

Consistency was the key to everything. Definitely could have benefited from good, accessible, physical therapy and health care for treatment and recovery from injuries and illnesses.

What was your edge?

Generally just believing in myself. Not getting down in the dumps too much over a bad performance or too high over a good one.

Most mileage in a week? Why did you do that?

146. I think just to find my red line. Average for me was about 100 a week.

Personal Bests

Type	Distance	Time	Flags	Site	Date	Actions
RD	5 km	14:27		n/a USA	25 Jun 1989
RD	10 km	29:00		Purchase NY/USA	23 Sep 1978
RD	15 km	44:19		Minneapolis MN/USA	16 Sep 1978
RD	10 mi	48:02		Washington DC/USA	30 Mar 1980
RD	20 km	1:00:44		Holliston MA/USA	04 Mar 1979
RD	Half Mara	1:04:06		New Bedford MA/USA	20 Mar 1988
RD	25 km	1:21:35		Gloucester MA/USA	02 Sep 1991
RD	30 km	1:35:59		Ome JPN	17 Feb 1980
RD	Marathon	2:10:59		Eugene OR/USA	07 Sep 1980
OT	3 km	8:13.9		Dedham MA/USA	25 Jun 1988
OT	5 km	14:02.4		Dedham MA/USA	11 Jun 1988
OT	10 km	28:24.6		Philadelphia PA/USA	26 Apr 1984
IT	5 km	14:06.41		Dartmouth NH/USA	10 Jan 1987

https://tonireavis.com/2015/12/31/forty-years-ago-on-new-years-day/

Performances

Date	Finish	Time	Flags	Type	Distance	Site	Race	Prize money	Actions
27 May 2006	25?	32:36		XC	6.9 km	Princeton MA/USA	Wachusett Mountain
30 Sep 2000	9	1:01:03		RD	10 mi	Harvard MA/USA	Apple Harvest
15 Nov 1998	13	27:31		XC	7.935 km	Boston MA/USA	USATF New England Crosscountry Masters Champs
25 Oct 1998	85	27:40		XC	8 km	Boston MA/USA	Boston Mayor’s Cup Crosscountry
20 Jun 1998	12	1:09:54	a	RD	12.3 km	Pinkham Notch NH/USA	Mt Washington Road Race
24 May 1998	7	27:01		XC	6.9 km	Princeton MA/USA	Wachusett Mountain
21 Jun 1997	22	1:14:08	a	RD	12.23 km	Pinkham Notch NH/USA	Mt Washington Road Race
15 Jun 1996	14	1:10:17	a	RD	12.23 km	Pinkham Notch NH/USA	Mt Washington Road Race	$150
07 Sep 1992	1	1:26:04		RD	25 km	Gloucester MA/USA	Around Cape Ann
24 May 1992	1	2:22:11		RD	Marathon	Burlington VT/USA	Vermont City
14 Dec 1991	1	2:22:46		RD	Marathon	Huntsville AL/USA	Rocket City	$1,500
30 Nov 1991	73	31:15		XC	10 km	Boston MA/USA	US Crosscountry Championships
10 Nov 1991	3	24:14		RD	5 mi	n/a MA/USA	Alamo Alumni Run
02 Sep 1991	2	1:21:35		RD	25 km	Gloucester MA/USA	Around Cape Ann
15 Jun 1991	3	1:05:32	a	RD	12.23 km	Pinkham Notch NH/USA	Mt Washington Road Race
06 Oct 1990	12	14:51		RD	5 km	Nashville TN/USA	Music City Championship
11 Aug 1990	23	30:48		RD	10 km	Asbury Park NJ/USA	Asbury Park Classic
16 Jun 1990	10	1:07:35	a	RD	12.23 km	Pinkham Notch NH/USA	Mt Washington Hill Climb
12 Nov 1989	12	2:16:51		RD	Marathon	Columbus OH/USA	Columbus	$800
15 Oct 1989	3	30:26		RD	10 km	Worcester MA/USA	Worcester
24 Sep 1989	3	46:08		RD	15 km	Wilton NH/USA	Wilton Road Race	$250
26 Aug 1989	6	29:46		RD	10 km	Exeter NH/USA	Blue Cross/Blue Shield Kiwanis Charity Classic
20 Aug 1989	25	33:56	a	RD	11.265 km	Falmouth MA/USA	Falmouth Road Race
29 Jul 1989	22	34:13		RD	11.27 km	Davenport IA/USA	Bix
25 Jun 1989	3	14:27		RD	5 km	n/a USA	NEAC Road Championships
24 Jun 1989	2	1:03:01	a	RD	12.23 km	Pinkham Notch NH/USA	Mt Washington Road Race	$300
25 Jun 1988	7	8:13.9		OT	3 km	Dedham MA/USA	Metrowest Twilight Meeting
17 Jun 1988	14	14:28.15		OT	5 km	Tampa FL/USA	TAC Mobil Championships
11 Jun 1988	19	14:02.4		OT	5 km	Dedham MA/USA	NEAC All-Comers
28 May 1988	8	1:04:45		RD	20 km	Wheeling WV/USA	Elby’s Distance Classic	$400
24 Apr 1988	7	2:16:56		RD	Marathon	Jersey City NJ/USA	US Men’s Olympic Trials	$6,000
09 Apr 1988	7	44:59		RL	15 km	New York NY/USA	Asics Cup America’s Ekiden- Leg 5	$3,600
20 Mar 1988	8	1:04:06		RD	Half Mara	New Bedford MA/USA	New Bedford	$450
06 Dec 1987	8	2:21:25	a	RD	Marathon	Sacramento CA/USA	California International	$250
26 Nov 1987	1	23:50		RD	5 mi	Boston MA/USA	Jordan Marsh	$1,000
04 Oct 1987	3	23:21		RD	5 mi	Lowell MA/USA	Jim Witt 5 Star
27 Sep 1987	1	46:07		RD	15 km	Wilton NH/USA	Wilton	$1,000
26 Jun 1987	9	28:56.95		OT	10 km	San Jose CA/USA	USA Mobil Outdoor Championships
20 Jun 1987	1	1:01:14	a	RD	12.23 km	Pinkham Notch NH/USA	Mt Washington	$350
25 May 1987	24	30:52		RD	10 km	Boulder CO/USA	Bolder Boulder	$244
24 Apr 1987	3	28:29.8		OT	10 km	Philadelphia PA/USA	Penn Relays- Olympic Development
29 Mar 1987	34	32:47		XC	9.5 km	San Vittore Olona ITA	Cinque Mulini
22 Mar 1987	198	40:13		XC	12 km	Warsaw POL	IAAF World Crosscountry Championships
14 Feb 1987	6	37:37		XC	12 km	Dallas TX/USA	US Crosscountry Trials	$1,000
10 Jan 1987	2	14:06.41		IT	5 km	Dartmouth NH/USA	Dartmouth Relays
09 Nov 1986	18	24:13		RD	5 mi	Salem NH/USA	Screen Road Race
12 Oct 1986	9	2:15:56		RD	Marathon	Saint Paul MN/USA	Twin Cities	$2,200
14 Sep 1986	20	1:04:59		RD	Half Mara	Philadelphia PA/USA	Philadelphia Distance Run
05 Sep 1986	6	28:53.87		OT	10 km	Brussels BEL	Ivo vanDamme Memorial Meeting
17 Aug 1986	16	33:32	a	RD	11.265 km	Falmouth MA/USA	Puma Falmouth Road Race	$450
21 Apr 1986	6	2:14:50	a	RD	Marathon	Boston MA/USA	Boston	$8,500
06 Apr 1986	15	48:15		RD	10 mi	Washington DC/USA	Nike Cherry Blossom
16 Mar 1986	6	1:04:46		RD	Half Mara	New Bedford MA/USA	New Bedford
01 Feb 1986	3	2:15:57		RD	Marathon	Auckland NZL	Wang New Zealand
30 Nov 1985	27	32:14		XC	10 km	Raleigh NC/USA	TAC Crosscountry Championships
06 Oct 1985	8	38:18		RD	12.87 km	Boston MA/USA	Freedom Trail
14 Jul 1985	3	1:03:15		RD	20 km	Ames IA/USA	Midnight Madness
22 Jun 1985	1	1:01:32	a	RD	12.2 km	Gorham NH/USA	Mount Washington Road Race
25 May 1985	10	1:03:40		RD	20 km	Wheeling WV/USA	Elby’s Distance Race
25 Apr 1985	5	29:01.9		OT	10 km	Philadelphia PA/USA	Penn Relays
01 Dec 1984	1	29:50		RD	10 km	San Diego CA/USA	American Trails
04 Nov 1984	5	2:27:03		RD	Marathon	Newport RI/USA	Ocean State
07 Oct 1984	4	23:01		RD	5 mi	Salem NH/USA	Salem Screen Printers
30 Sep 1984	5	37:52		RD	12.87 km	Boston MA/USA	Freedom Trail
03 Sep 1984	5	1:01:19		RD	20 km	New Haven CT/USA	New Haven Road Race
26 Aug 1984	27	34:06	a	RD	11.265 km	Falmouth MA/USA	Falmouth Road Race
19 Aug 1984	5	23:06		RD	5 mi	Agawam MA/USA	Riverside Twilight
08 Jun 1984	DNF	DNF		OT	10 km	San Jose CA/USA	TAC Championships
26 May 1984	17	2:18:10	a	RD	Marathon	Buffalo NY/USA	US Olympic Trials
13 May 1984	4	48:36		RD	10 mi	Worcester MA/USA	Charlie’s Surplus
26 Apr 1984	5	28:24.6		OT	10 km	Philadelphia PA/USA	Penn Relays- Open
17 Mar 1984	8	28:53.7		OT	10 km	Eugene OR/USA	Oregon Invitational
26 Feb 1984	1	48:57		RD	10 mi	Amherst MA/USA	RRCA Championships
19 Feb 1984	17	36:48		XC	12 km	East Rutherford NJ/USA	US Crosscountry Trials
15 Jan 1984	22	2:17:33		RD	Marathon	Houston TX/USA	Houston
26 Nov 1983	55	31:01		XC	10 km	State College PA/USA	TAC Crosscountry Championships
20 Nov 1983	3	23:52		RD	5 mi	Fitchburg MA/USA	Slattery’s Turkey Trot
12 Nov 1983	1	1:08:41		RD	Half Mara	Lowell MA/USA	Lowell Elks
06 Nov 1983	9	29:56	a	RD	10 km	Boston MA/USA	Purity Supreme Heartbreak Hill
16 Oct 1983	40	2:25:27		RD	Marathon	Chicago IL/USA	America’s
18 Sep 1983	4	30:59		RD	10 km	Warwick RI/USA	Warwick
05 Sep 1983	4	1:01:44		RD	20 km	New Haven CT/USA	New Haven
21 Aug 1983	10	33:12	a	RD	11.265 km	Falmouth MA/USA	Falmouth Road Race
07 Aug 1983	5	23:11		RD	5 mi	Agawam MA/USA	Riverside Park Twilight
23 Jul 1983	4	36:04		RD	12 km	Itasca IL/USA	Crain’s Challenge
18 Apr 1983	95	2:21:01	a	RD	Marathon	Boston MA/USA	Boston
27 Feb 1983	8	1:34:58	x	RD	30 km	Nagoya JPN	Chunichi Speed
05 Dec 1982	5	2:11:53		RD	Marathon	Fukuoka JPN	Fukuoka
28 Nov 1982	9	29:26		XC	10 km	East Brunswick NJ/USA	TAC Crosscountry Championships
13 Nov 1982	1	1:08:16		RD	Half Mara	Lowell MA/USA	Lowell Elks
31 Oct 1982	3	29:05		RD	10 km	Bangor ME/USA	Benjamin’s
09 Oct 1982	9	45:31		RD	15 km	El Paso TX/USA	Crimestoppers
06 Sep 1982	7	1:00:27	x	RD	20 km	New Haven CT/USA	New Haven Road Race
15 Aug 1982	9	33:13	a	RD	11.265 km	Falmouth MA/USA	Falmouth Road Race
08 Aug 1982	2	22:47		RD	5 mi	Agawam MA/USA	Riverside Twilight
20 Jun 1982	5	28:44.3		OT	10 km	Knoxville TN/USA	TAC Championships
23 May 1982	4	46:01		RD	15 km	Fayetteville NY/USA	Dynamis
09 May 1982	2	49:33		RD	10 mi	Worcester MA/USA	Charlie’s Surplus
02 May 1982	5	49:53		RD	10 mi	Lawrence MA/USA	Eagle Tribune
04 Apr 1982	3	29:30		RD	10 km	Boston MA/USA	Boston Milk Run
14 Mar 1982	5	48:23		RD	10 mi	Cherry Hill NJ/USA	Nike New Jersey
07 Feb 1982	1	2:15:43		RD	Marathon	Beppu JPN	Beppu-Oita
25 Oct 1981	24	2:15:33.1	a x	RD	Marathon	New York NY/USA	New York City
10 Oct 1981	1	57:10	x	RD	20 km	The Woodlands TX/USA	TAC Championships
07 Sep 1981	4	1:00:39	x	RD	20 km	New Haven CT/USA	New Haven
16 Aug 1981	18	33:51	a	RD	11.265 km	Falmouth MA/USA	Falmouth Road Race
21 Jun 1981	DNF	DNF		OT	10 km	Sacramento CA/USA	TAC/Mobil Championships
03 May 1981	5	36:36		RD	12.35 km	Spokane WA/USA	Lilac Bloomsday
14 Mar 1981	9	45:25		RD	15 km	Jacksonville FL/USA	River Run
05 Oct 1980	4	37:54		RD	12.875 km	Boston MA/USA	Freedom Trail
07 Sep 1980	2	2:10:59		RD	Marathon	Eugene OR/USA	Nike-OTC
23 Aug 1980	1	1:02:35		RD	20 km	Concord NH/USA	TAC Championships
17 Aug 1980	4	32:39	a	RD	11.265 km	Falmouth MA/USA	Falmouth Road Race
20 Jul 1980	8	1:11:10		RD	Half Mara	Orleans MA/USA	Natural Light Orleans
15 Jun 1980	1	1:04:29	a	RD	12.875 km	Gorham NH/USA	Mount Washington
08 Jun 1980	1	34:40		RD	11.265 km	Litchfield CT/USA	Litchfield Hills
18 May 1980	3	36:29	a	RD	12 km	San Francisco CA/USA	Bay to Breakers
21 Apr 1980	DNF	DNF	a	RD	Marathon	Boston MA/USA	Boston
30 Mar 1980	6	48:02		RD	10 mi	Washington DC/USA	Cherry Blossom
15 Mar 1980	1	44:54		RD	15 km	Jacksonville FL/USA	River Run
17 Feb 1980	11	1:35:59		RD	30 km	Ome JPN	Ome-Hochi
01 Jan 1980	3	44:00.2		OT	15 km	Palo Alto CA/USA	Runner’s World Invitational
24 Nov 1979	3	30:52		XC	10 km	Raleigh NC/USA	AAU Championships
29 Sep 1979	15	29:37		RD	10 km	Purchase NY/USA	Diet Pepsi
16 Sep 1979	6	37:51		RD	12.875 km	Boston MA/USA	Hood Freedom Trail Run
01 Sep 1979	1	29:11		RD	10 km	Kingfield ME/USA	Kingfield
07 Jul 1979	1=	24:31		RD	5 mi	North Falmouth MA/USA	North Falmouth
17 Jun 1979	1	1:02:08	a	RD	12.23 km	Pinkham Notch NH/USA	Mount Washington Road Race
10 Jun 1979	2	35:42		RD	11.265 km	Litchfield CT/USA	Litchfield
20 May 1979	1	36:50		RD	12 km	San Francisco CA/USA	Bay to Breakers
16 Apr 1979	3	2:12:31	a	RD	Marathon	Boston MA/USA	Boston
01 Apr 1979	4	1:02:54		RD	20 km	Atlanta GA/USA	Nike US Club Road Racing Championships
04 Mar 1979	2	1:00:44		RD	20 km	Holliston MA/USA	AAU Championships
25 Nov 1978	14	30:25		XC	10 km	Seattle WA/USA	AAU Men’s Crosscountry Championships
01 Oct 1978	5	38:21		RD	12.875 km	Boston MA/USA	Labatt’s Freedom Trail
23 Sep 1978	4	29:00		RD	10 km	Purchase NY/USA	Run America Run
16 Sep 1978	3	44:19		RD	15 km	Minneapolis MN/USA	Nike Challenge
20 Aug 1978	8	33:12	a	RD	11.265 km	Falmouth MA/USA	Falmouth Road Race
13 Aug 1978	2	37:16		RD	12.4 km	Chelmsford MA/USA	Chelmsford
05 Aug 1978	2	30:39		RD	10 km	Duxbury MA/USA	Gurnet Classic Beach Run
04 Jul 1978	12	30:11	a	RD	10 km	Atlanta GA/USA	Peachtree
18 Jun 1978	1	1:04:13	a	RD	12.2 km	Gorham NH/USA	Mount Washington Road Race
19 Jun 1977	1	1:04:44	a	RD	12.2 km	Gorham NH/USA	Mount Washington
18 Apr 1977	46	2:28:45	a	RD	Marathon	Boston MA/USA	Boston
15 Aug 1976	7	34:32	a	RD	11.265 km	Falmouth MA/USA	Falmouth Road Race
19 Jun 1976	1	1:05:31	a	RD	11.2 km	Gorham NH/USA	Mount Washington
28 Mar 1976	7	1:34:03	a x	RD	30 km	Albany NY/USA	Bankathon
26 Oct 1975	6	1:02:56		RD	20 km	West Roxbury MA/USA	National AAU Championships
17 Aug 1975	5	35:51	a	RD	11.265 km	Falmouth MA/USA	Falmouth Road Race
16 Jun 1974	14	1:15:42		RD	12.2 km	Pinkham Notch NH/USA	Mount Washington
22 Nov 1973	6	23:17		RD	7.64 km	Manchester CT/USA	Manchester Road Race