Frank Shorter, Jack Bacheler and myself came to Florida in 1970 from different areas and different careers. All three of us qualified for the 1972 Munich Olympics and competed in dozens of international events. As others joined us we became National Champions and had a lot of great experiences. – Jeff Galloway
Knew I was going to be the slowest guy there. I’m used to that.
Most of my mail is about Camp Lejuene and dementia and Black Singles. Imagine my excitement – heart so full of joy – when I got the invite from Jeff Galloway. A party I could get to.
Also got the key code to the VIP Hospitality House.
Was completely planning to hang out all afternoon by the pool with Frank Shorter. But a Norwester had blown in, like twenty-five degrees colder than normal. I blame DeSantis.
A week-long event, I skipped everything except the last day. Can’t see to drive at night and our dogs don’t travel.
The last day began with
Saturday, January 14, 9:00AM-10:00AM
Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track and Field Meet Dedication
Alachua County Sports & Events Center at Celebration Pointe
4870 Celebration Pointe Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32608
Frank Shorter, Jack Bacheler, Jeff Galloway and John L. Parker, Jr will be there before the first event begins at 10:00am. They will be available for photos and autographs and to chat with anyone there for the events or to share memories.
Skipped that, too. Not out of disrespect – Carnes was a giant – but because I had to get the dogs to the increasingly expensive kennel and drive a couple hours and the cold makes me sick so we made two stops.
I promised I’d get there in time for lunch. I promised.
11:30 a.m., I pull up. I keep my promises.
Burst through the door ready to shout like a demented fan, ‘Is this where the celebrities are? I’m here for Coach Roy Benson’s autograph!’
Nobody.
Oh, they went to Waffle House. You just missed them.
Could not see myself chasing Olympians – half-century they’ve been too fast for me – even if The Waffle is my favorite restaurant.
But, wait, what’s this?
Alone in the VIP Hospitality kitchen, I check inside the refrigerator. Another event I didn’t get to.
Thursday night, Marty and his group, Hot Club de Ville, will be playing Gypsy Jazz at the Harn Museum at 3259 Hull Rd. from 6:30-8. The event is open to the public and if you haven’t seen them you are in for a real treat.
There is a private dinner on Thursday night at V Pizza, 115 Southeast 1st Street. The restaurant is adjacent to the Hampton Inn and Suites. There is on street parking in the area, a parking garage within a block of the restaurant and valet parking at the hotel. Of course all of you are invited, we’ve limited the invite list to thirty people. Drinks will be served starting at 7:45 and the buffet will be available starting at 8 p.m. We’ll have salads, appetizers, specialty pizzas, pasta and an Italian Dessert Tray. If you plan on coming PLEASE LET ME KNOW so I can give the restaurant an accurate count. V Pizza is about a 10 minute walk from the house.
Almost-like-being-there leftovers. Italian food is often better anyway the next day. Meatballs are my metier.
Oh, crap, be still my heart. Chocolate-peanut butter mousse pie with whipped cream. Barely touched.
And just enough good beer.
First time I saw Frank, didn’t recognize him nor he me, but Michelle said, “Hi, Jack.”
Or so I imagined.
Saturday, January 14, 5:30PM-9:30PM
Cypress & Grove Brewing Company
1001 NW 4th St, Gainesville, FL 32601
Q & A with Frank, Jeff, Jack, John L. Parker Jr. and FTC members on stage and face-to-face discussion, autograph, poster and memorabilia signing event.
FTC Mary Andrews half marathon and marathon packet pick up
Food Truck: Eddy’s Patty’
The show was outstanding. Shout out to Ricky Quintana, the engine behind the FTC 50th Reunion.
All the greats told their versions of stories nobody else could remember enough to refute. Got to watch Frank win the 1972 Olympic marathon with Frank commentating. Think the video reminded the gold medalist about some forgotten events in the race. “Oh, yeah, that’s when…”
Meanwhile, I am looking around to see if I recognize anybody and Peggy is asking me who this guy is or that one. See Byron Dyce and Dick Endris.
Get the usual questioning glances myself. Used to that, too. I look like somebody who should be somebody but isn’t. And I hang around with folks who are.
Not just me. I walked up to some little Gerry Lindgren-looking guy with curly hair – only visible difference – and said, you look like a great runner. He laughed, said no and quickly skittered away.
Did somebody say memorabilia signing event?
They forget who they’re dealing with here. Spelunked the archives and brought a big black bag. John L. Parker Jr. was surprised to learn excerpts of his iconic novel Once A Runner had appeared in my magazine in 1977. Probably with permission.
RUNNING magazine’s cover story (Sept.’80) was the Olympic Trials. My publisher’s note featured a photo moments after Ken Kesey told Frank the Olympics were back on. I slid the page in front of him. He looked at it. “Kesey.” Quietly. Might have said it more than once. “Kesey.”
By the time we carefully drove back in the dark in a strange city to the house, the party going like a domestic version of the Wild Duck after a major meet.
Managed to get another piece of pie which paired exquisitely with the nearest bottle of red wine.
‘If they’re older than us, they are probably dead,’ I heard Marty quip.
Frank was conversational.
Please understand, I told him, I never ever even lettered in high school. And I was hoping we could hang by the pool.
Missed his win in Munich, the feat that launched forty million feet, because I was out running. Told him how I was once racing fast but crashing in a hot half-marathon, but when I looked at my reflection in a storefront mirror, I saw his image running alongside. My form improved. My pace increased.
He always looked so graceful, so light on his feet. All natural, he said. A style perfected as a child never losing a game of tag.
Talked about bargain sportscoats and elderly parents with Marty. Everybody signed my book.
Getting late, I look over to see my wife with her arm around Frank. A couple of truth tellers.
Later, arrangements being made for the next morning’s event. Could be wrong but I am almost positive I heard Frank say something like ‘five-thirty or six.’
Actually woke up on time, but the thermometer registered below freezing. Didn’t get out of bed.
I skipped the event.
You can bet Frank didn’t.
Sunday, January 15- 7:00AM-12:00PM
FTC Mary Andrews HALF AND MARATHON on Hawthorne Trail. Race starts at 8am. Start and end in Hawthorne. FTC will organize.
Frank Shorter, Jeff Galloway, Jack Bacheler and John L. Parker Jr. will be at the start of the race.
On the drive home down the Suncoast Highway, listening to Alanis Morrisette sing ”Ironic,’ my wife confides, “I told Frank I never ask anybody to take a picture with me.”
“Well, that’s true. I know it is. Funny though.”
“Why is that funny?”
“At the 1980 Olympic Trials I told Frank I never ask anybody for his autograph. Then I asked him.
“Told him it was for my mom.”
Unpacking, dogs not even home yet, I open his excellent memoir My Marathon: Reflections on a Gold Medal Life.
There’s an inscription.
For Jack
A Kindred Spirit!
Frank Shorter
1/14/2023
Better than a high school letterman’s jacket.
