Bill, 
Congratulations on a fine race in Rabat. 
You have really improved this last year and hopefully will continue to until the Olympic games. 
- Steve Prefontaine (April 9, 1975)

’75 World Cross-Country Championships

Bill: I’m Patriotic in my own way, like a lot of Americans, and I was proud to wear the USA singlet.

I owe Gary Tuttle. Forgot to bring my spikes to the Race. Gary loaned me a pair of Asics, same size as me.

In 1975, the Championships were held on the Soussi racecourse in Rabat, Morocco.

Rough, uneven, mostly dirt and with a sparse covering of grass, the course would present some challenges to the athletes.

After this race I was ready for Boston.

https://runnerstribe.com/features/world-cross-country-classics-rabat-morocco-1975

His PR Was 2:19:35

Bill doesn’t run 2:09:55 to become Boston Billy without the confidence gained at the 1975 World Cross-Country Championships.

He doesn’t podium there without some hard work.

When asked about what it took, he sent me to Bob Hodge. A trusted source.

Would you believe Hodgie-san has published Bill’s complete 1975 training diary. A sweet read for OGs.

Feb 4 11 miles @ noon – OK pace, flat, 16°

Cold as a farty New England dog shit day can be! 9° at 7:30 AM and 16° went(sic) I ran at noon for 1 hr 15 mins – about 11 miles at OK pace over flat course – have chest cold & hacking cough so did not run in the PM! Shit!

That was Tuesday.

Bill spent the next two days in bed, then flew to Florida. Doubtlessly, he needed the rest.

Sunday, he placed third in the USA World XC Trials. Behind Frank Shorter and the aforementioned Mr. Tuttle.

http://bobhodge.us/bill-rodgers-1975-training-log/

Maybe it is just me, but that training log reads like a great adventure tale. Cautionary perhaps.

April 4 – Fri

8 miles @ noon12 miles @ 6:30 pm – slow, 2 good hills20 total

!!SNOW! – Ahhhhhhh!!!!!! & wind & slush & dog shit New England weather – ran about 1 hour at noon and about 12+ miles with 2 good hills at very slow pace at 6:30 pm . tired and SO STUFFED!! I AM A PIG!!!!

Seventeen days later, Bill Rodgers changed his life. “Overnight,” he became an American hero.

In his book Marathoning by Bill Rodgers with Joe Concannon, our hero admits he surprised himself.

“I had been training twice a day since the end of 1973 and when April 1975 and the Boston Marathon rolled around I was in “pretty decent” shape. Squires and I tried to play down my position. We talked it over and we thought I would run about a 2:15 or 2:16 marathon.

We never anticipated a 2:09:55.

The only way I can describe it is dreamlike. I thought of my friends and particularly of former college roommate, Amby Burfoot, who had won in 1968. It was just unreal running to that finish line. I looked at the crowds on the side and reveled in my victory.

But on the victory stand, I suffered something of a reaction. As the wreath was put on my head my brother, Charlie, jumped up shouting. I waved to him and yelled “Never again!” I was very tired and psychologically wound down. Marathons are, like any race, a great thrill to win, but unlike shorter races, the price one pays is severe.”

Luckily, he had those magic shoes Pre sent him.