Bob Hodge’s Serial Running Novella
Jacksonville River Run 15K
Running was going well, and I wanted to test my fitness with a race. It had been three weeks since my mediocre effort in Japan and I was looking for a confidence boost. The River Run in Jacksonville seemed to fit the bill. In its third year Bill Rodgers had set the course record in winning the inaugural run.
It would be the RRCA Championship and the organizers had tried to bring in some top runners from around the country. I contacted them the week before and their budget had been spent but they promised me $100 to defray my expenses.
My friend and teammate Brad Hurst was coming down to visit his brother who lived in Jacksonville, so I had a place to stay there. Rather than drive I bought myself an airline ticket I traveled up there on Thursday before the Saturday race and lay low.
I was feeling good finally I was comfortable with the Florida environment the heat in Miami that winter where most days were in the 80’s with high humidity. I had weeks of 96, 120 and 138 preceding the race with a couple of track workouts.
The pace felt fairly pedestrian and there was a decent size pack for the first six or seven miles. Coming back over the bridge, the one hill on the course Benji Durden and I pulled away. We ran side by side for most of the last two miles and I inched away from him at the end for a victory.
It was a shot in the arm and a confidence boost. When I returned to Miami I put the large trophy that I had won on the mantlepiece in the living room of the house that I was sharing with TF and Diane. When Tom arrived back we prepared to go for a run as we stretched out a bit on the floor of the living room space Tom asked “so Hodgie, how was Jacksonville.” I pointed to the mantlepiece, “you won?”
TF sprinted out the door that night for our 10 miler and was two steps ahead of me the entire way as I regaled him with the story of my brilliant victory. Remarkably I still have that trophy adorning the shelf beam in our backyard shed with the lawn mower and gardening tools and other assorted stuff.
The following week Tom and Diane returned to NJ leaving me alone in the house. One night I got a strange phone call from someone asking for Tom. I don’t remember the details, but the call freaked me out. I packed up and left the next morning.
April 2nd—Arrived back in Scituate Sunday night late. Cherry Blossom race in DC went fairly well although it was very chaotic, and I had been planning on Saturday race when it was actually Sunday. The last few days I have been settling back in the weather is cold and gray. I am getting off to a good start though with 20 miler on Monday and 19 on Tuesday. I hope to put in a good mileage week 120-130 a bit less next weekend then tone it down unless something drastic happens with the USOC meeting April 11th. Tomorrow planning a hill workout at Heartbreak with Vinnie and Dickie.
Cherry Blossom
I ran a solid race; the one detail that I remember about this one is that Steve Floto and I went out to a thirty-yard lead and then ran past the turnaround point. The pack behind shouted out to us and we turned back but while doing so we both slipped in some mud on the road near a construction site and I went down to one knee.
I felt like I never regained my composure after that. I finished 6th in 48:02.
April 4th—Went out for 10 this morning it is a very raw and rainy day. A meeting I had planned at Reebok fell through until next week. I had breakfast down in the harbor this morning omelet sausage toast and coffee. Going out for a run in a bit with Gene Morris and planning to go up to Lowell tonight.
I eventually met with Reebok who were excited that I would run Boston with the Olympic Boycott being highly likely to happen the Trials seemed to be a pointless exercise. Reebok had gone out and bought a singlet for me and lettered it with their name and logo and they thought it was great. Unfortunately, it was a Head Tennis singlet and not at all suited to run a marathon in. They were insulted when I told them I could not wear it and I went out and had a Bill Rodgers Running Gear singlet lettered. They gave the Head singlet to local legend Larry Olsen and of course he wore it being Larry.
April 8th—I got in very good track workout last night 8 mile repeats average 4:39. The weekend in Lowell turned out to be a bit of a disaster as I got in a car accident and had some other problems. Unbelievably my running went very well. A 22 miler from BC on Sunday weather warmer in the 60’s and sunny. I had a good dinner at Frannie’s house and Brad stayed over. We drove back to Lowell and I stayed at Brad’s. On Monday I got my car back fixed enough so that I can drive it back to Scituate. Brad and I ran a loop around the river and later I headed back home. Car was running OK but on 128 the hood flew off!!! Luckily no one was hurt or killed!!! I made it home with the help of a couple of guys who helped me get my hood in the trunk and then followed me home all the way to Scituate. So, I suppose I have to count myself lucky! Last week was one of my best running weeks ever and I feel confident about Boston if it will all come together.
On April 5th in Lowell I went for a run with friend and training partner Brad Hurst and we ran the 13-miler around the river through Tyngsboro etc. After the run we were heading to lunch and I was driving the Mustang over the Aiken Street bridge when I zoned out looking out over the river and ran into the car in front of me. It was the beginning of a streak of unfortunate events.
1980 Boston Marathon
April 14th—Went for 17 mile run through Cohasset hills felt sort of sluggish as I have the last few days which is due to a combination of the warm weather and the heavy training. I have definitely decided to run BOSTON and will gear up this week and cut my mileage back and get plenty of rest.
April 18th—I am feeling fairly well with three days to go until the 1980 Boston Marathon. The marathon that should not have been for me. This is the way it plays out. I was in Boston yesterday at Bill’s store and the intensity is there. I struck a deal with Rob Yahn to wear Bill’s clothing line and went out for a run alone over the Newton hills one last time before Monday’s race. I will be glad when the gun goes off and we are on our way. The next few days are for rest and getting keyed in just short runs with some little race pace pick-ups.
Unlike 79 this year I was assigned number 2. Sadly, Rob Yahn who headed up Bill’s clothing line never paid me beyond the first month. I did try to sort it out with him, but I began to feel like I was begging and didn’t want to bring it up with Bill, so I let it go.
April 20th—Eve of the Boston Marathon. It was not supposed to work out this way but tomorrow I will race Boston and when it is over I will re-evaluate things. It is windy and warm now but they are calling for cloudy and cool tomorrow with maybe a few showers. I am keeping my fingers crossed. One way or the other it is always good to get it over with. Some of the newspaper stories regarding amateurism etc. make me nauseous. The “coverage” of the marathon is sickening with a few exceptions. I have been asking myself lately if it is worth it. These writers are assholes who know nothing about athletics and usually cover baseball or something.
Every year at Boston Marathon time a lot of these respected beat writers or sports writers who didn’t appreciate marathon running or runners as even athletes would write their stupid ignorant stories slapping each other on the back how hilarious they were. I did not appreciate it!
April 24th—Marathon wound up being a bit of a disaster. I knew when I woke up and looked through crack in the shade it was going to be a rough day. Very bright sunshine and temperatures in the 70’s. I tried to play it cool but I went out much too fast.
I went out with the lead pack and felt OK through halfway but then the heat of the day hit me. “How is this happening I thought, I ran in the heat of Florida all winter for goodness sake?” I dropped out at Lake Street the 21-mile point body one giant cramp. Salt caked my face. It was hard to swallow as my running had been on such an upward trajectory and now a DNF and no try for the Olympics.
Midland Run
April 28th—Feeling tired today went for 10 mile run this morning and 14 yesterday. Legs tired but the soreness is pretty well gone. It is cold and windy and rainy today yesterday began Daylight Savings time. It does not feel like spring. Every day since the marathon has been great running weather as I like it damn NE weather, damn weather. I have some bad blisters feet got roasted. I have the Midland Run NJ coming up and it is a loaded field hope I don’t embarrass myself. My new home my cabin in Norwell is ready and I can’t wait to move in. Looking forward to living on my own and fixing the place up a bit. Moving some stuff in this week. Felt out of it most of the day today trying to look ahead and move on but no run at the Olympic Trials is a huge letdown. On the upside got an invite to the Montreal Marathon.
May 6th—Spent this past weekend in Midland NJ for the Midland Run. To sum it up briefly it was a good time and a well-run affair. I received $800 appearance fee which I almost felt bad taking considering my poor race. Truth is I needed that money. Well the bubble has burst I’m not running well for a variety of reasons and there are no Olympic Trials for me, so I suppose I will cut my training back for a few weeks and run a few low key races and then try and build up this summer for a fall marathon. I have not had the Mustang for a month now, but garage tell me it should be done on Friday. I was so upset about the entire thing that I was glad no one was here when I got home. I have started fixing up my new place cabin in the woods and I can’t wait to move in. I think it will be ideal.
I grew philosophical and started reading more, looking for solace and peace of mind. I had put the Olympic Games on a huge pedestal and now realized that they were not so sacred or beyond being used for political games. President Carter and Congress coerced the USOC to vote boycott and they wilted under pressure. I know, I know I should have realized this all along, but I didn’t, and I now had to come to grips with it.
