Category Archives: Running

The Slowest Marathon

On October 12, 2019, Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya ran a marathon (26.2 miles) in 1:59:40. It’s not considered an official record because it involved using every possible advantage — a closed, flat course shielded from the wind and the use of pacers, for example, but it was an incredible athletic feat nonetheless. But if that

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The Demons Inside Us

My brother sent me a link to an interesting article recently, Record-Setting 70-Year-Old Marathon Champ Disqualified For Cheating. As a long-time runner myself, I wasn’t surprised. In a world with doctored baseballs and underinflated footballs, there is no reason why this sport should be immune to seeking an edge illegally. Marathon-running is now a high-profile

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The Written Side of Running

One of the joys of being in a major road race is the atmosphere.  It’s a real thrill to run down First Avenue Manhattan with spectators stacked three deep for over a mile.  Or running past the Wellesley College girls on the way into Boston.  Then there is the music — the “Rock ‘n’ Roll”

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Honoring Childhood Victims Of Cancer

In 2009, Rik Zortman lost his three-year-old son Armstrong to brain cancer.  How can you honor a child who dies so young? As a 44-year-old runner from Avoca, Iowa, Rik thought of a novel way — he would trace his son’s name in the streets during his next run.  “Armstrong” appeared on September 1st, beginning

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Who Do You Run For?

“You can run for me anytime!” In past posts, I’ve written about the sport of running.  Of all the sports I’ve played, it fits me best.  It’s solitary, but I consider that an advantage — no teammates messing up or referees blowing calls — it’s all up to you.  And so far (knock wood) I’ve

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Underdogs Worth Rooting For

I will never make it to the Olympics, even though athletically I’ve come farther than I’d ever hoped.  (If you’d seen how I struggled in Little League, you’d know what I mean.)  But I do share one trait with elite athletes — disappointment.  It’s very discouraging to set your sights on a goal, particularly one

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How I Started Running

I have written several times about the sport of running and my relationship to it.  Today I ran the Air Force Half Marathon at Wright-Patterson AFB for the fourth time, so I decided to reprint a piece on how I started running that I wrote for the Disneyana Fan Club’s Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter.   This

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My Super Bowl

I have always been reasonably athletic, but in kind of an awkward way.  I could make teams, and usually play, but I was never good enough to get any real recognition.  Then I found a sport which seems to fit my personality — running.  It’s honest — you get out exactly what you put in, and

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Cleanliness is Next to…

Today, as I’m putting the finishing touches on this year’s marathon training, I’m sharing one of my running stories.   This is true, and was published in Runner’s World magazine in the December 1981 issue.   The county had just finished widening the principal highway near my house.  It also put in a bicycle path,

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