Jim McGuinness Wrote A Letter To Running Magazine In 1977

Forty-five years ago, the editor of “The Thinking Runner’s Magazine” was likely looking for any hints at getting faster and maybe some free content. The deep dive into the last box of archives offered up a two-page handwritten letter.

Two lined sides of a single sheet from a three-ring binder. In ink with corrections.

Remember nothing about this.

I offer this missive as a slice of history from a runner who seems somewhat emblematic of the era.

You can miss someone you never knew. The running community is like that.

September 7, 1977

Dear Sir,

Please send me a back-issue of “Running” – Vol. 2, No. 2. Thanks. I love your magazine.

Knowledge is vitally important to me and my running. Nine years ago, after a short return to competitive running (the only kind I enjoy), I quit in discouragement due to knee problems and poor training. As the saying goes: “If I only knew then what I know now…”

In answer to your request for feedback on training, here’s some data on me:

Age: 38 yrs., Ht. 5’10”. Wt. 153 (down from 195 last summer)

PRs College Recent (started training a year ago)

[Editorial interruption. Right here, I have a confession to make. Apparently, some manner of critter – hopefully a puppy – chewed on the bottom left corner of the letter, so I have to guess at some of what Jim wrote.]

[Racing] is the main reason I run. Don’t like training. Ideally,[I’d race] weekly and train never. In practice, I race weekly (almost) [and train] daily. My present training is the latest in a [series of] experiments to get racing fit for the [New York City] marathon on Oct. 23, 1977.

Typical week

Monday 40 minutes easy running (flat course)

Tuesday 5 1/2 miles fartlek on hills

Weds. 17 miles on flat roads at 7:30 per mile

Thurs. 3 miles fairly hard

Fri. 17 miles on flat roads at 7:30 per mile

Sat. 2 miles jogging with 6-8 110-yard “pickups”

Sunday Race, or 6 miles fast

All training, except maybe Thursday and Saturday, on paved roads.

This program is subject to change as soon as something promising is discovered and to accommodate race dates.

Hill work is hard to get because where I live is like a pancake – have to travel 30 minutes each way to mild hill country.

Weekly distance is about 60 miles.

I find it difficult to keep to it, so one or more days per week are usually dropped and replaced by rest.

No watch used for training.

Previously tried longer distances but got tendon injury in foot and lost a month.,

With time and modest improvement, I’m actually getting to enjoy running itself. But most of the fun is anticipation of racing and racing itself.

Thank goodness this area is crawling with races.

Looking forward with great anticipation to your next issue on maximizing enjoyment of running.

Thanks for sending back-issue requested above.

Best regards, healthy running

Jim

His return address was Merrick, NY.

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Can imagine running with him and guess he’d push the pace and outsprint me at the end.

Here’s Jim’s obituary.

McGuinness, James T.
James T. McGuinness, age 83, passed away on November 30, 2021.

Born in Queens, New York, Jim was the son of the late Mary and William McGuinness of Merrick, Long Island. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Beverly, three children, Susan McGuinness, San Diego, CA (Kent Panter), Michael McGuinness, Cary, NC, and Stephen McGuinness, Albuquerque, NM; two grandchildren, Mackenzie “France” and Michael McGuinness, Cary, NC, sister, Jane Treftz, London, England, three nieces, one nephew, and many extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his brothers William and John.

Jim graduated from Bishop Loughlin High School, Brooklyn, NY and Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY. Jim and Bev were married on Nov 5, 1960 at St. Jude the Apostle in Wynantskill, NY. He started his career as a structural engineer for the NY State Bureau of Bridges in Albany and in the early ‘60s moved to Merrick, Long Island where he and Bev raised their family.

Jim worked hard in all his pursuits. On his daily commute to Manhattan he took up chess and soon became a rated tournament player. He was an avid runner, well known in the running community as a tough competitor in races and marathons including New York, Boston, Long Island, Atlantic City and Mexico City. Always on the move, he was the man to fill the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds of long-distance run.

In the ‘70s, Jim co-founded and coached the CYO Boys’ and Girls’ Track Teams for Curé of Ars School, where his children attended. He was a kind, patient, and encouraging coach who inspired young runners with his love of the sport. After Jim and Bev moved back upstate in the ‘90s, Jim was active in community organizations, local politics, the Mohawk Hudson Road Runners and Cycling Clubs, and he even won a national spelling bee with a team from his engineering firm.

Over his 45-year career he designed bridges, power plants, buildings, and was one of many engineers who designed the World Trade Center. The WTC engineers were recognized among the heroes of 9/11 for the amazing Towers that remained standing long enough to save thousands of lives. After retiring from engineering in 2005, Jim remained active in running, cycling, and spending time with family and friends. Jim and Bev moved to Shaker Pointe in 2015 and shared many great times with new friends.

Faced with a debilitating long-term illness, Jim met his challenges with grace and dignity and, as ever, he did his best. Jim’s greatest gifts were his humility, integrity, and kindness. These defined his life above and beyond his achievements as an elite athlete, successful engineer, and active community member. All who knew him are blessed with the memory of his kind heart and gentle spirit.

The family would like to thank Nicole Parslow and Team One Care for their excellent care in Jim’s final days, The Community Hospice of Albany, and especially Sr. Mary Ann Rodgers for her kindness and support throughout Jim’s illness.

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