Saturday, June 7, 2008

Tag.

I was tagged by my good friend NBTR. Here goes:

1. How would you describe your running 10 years ago?

Ten years ago I ran my first race since high school (I was a JV harrier for two years). On a whim, my oldest son Jimmy, 12 at the time, and I ran in the 1998 Memorial Day Falls Church 3K Fun Run even though neither of us were runners. However, I had coached Jimmy's team in soccer (I hold a Series-D soccer coaching license) and conducted soccer workouts and basketball shootarounds with him. We finished in 18:48 (10:05) and were so proud of ourselves!

2. What is your best and worst run/race experience?

My best running experience is always my last run. Yesterday morning I did my last long run in preparation for the next Saturday's hilly Lake Tahoe Relay which I am going to run in as part of Bex's team. I did 11 miles in 1:36:25 (8:46), running six easy miles on the flat W&OD Trail in 49:16 (8:13), and five miles of hills in 47:09 (9:26) wherein I ran up every hill within a mile of my house.

My worst race experience was the December 2003 Tidal Basin 3K. Because it was the last race of the year, I started "reviewing" as I ran and began thinking about the endless litigation I was enmeshed in--her divorce filing in 2001 after she took our minor children out of state for "Spring Break," my lack of any visits in almost a year despite having full joint custody with standard visitation, the staggering legal bills with no end in sight--and for once, running wasn't a solace. Totally overwhelmed, I stopped to walk for awhile, practically crying.

3. Why do you run?

I feel like it. Almost always.

4. What is the best or worst piece of advice you've been given about running?

The best advice I was ever given was, Run early. That way, reasons not to run don't constantly crop up as the day progresses.

The worst advice is that advice which I give freely and for free. Remember what it cost. However, the following two pieces of advice reside on the Facebook profiles of two of my former running students, under their "favorite quotes" section and each is attributed to me by name: In order to run fast, you gotta run fast; and, If running were easy, it'd be easy.

5. Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.

During the 1972 presidential campaign, I ran a branch office of Staten Islanders for George McGovern. Tricky Dick Nixon's subsequent crushing victory in the election taught me everything I needed to know about the American populace. Therefore I wasn't surprised in 2000 or, especially, 2004.

There ya have it. I tag the next five readers who feel like doing the exercise.

10 comments:

Sunshine said...

Sorry about your storm.. saw it on national radar.. and news. You had your running shoes for getting home... Isn't it interesting how often it is good to be a runner!
I like the classy way you "tag".
Precious the memories of your sons; so sad the estrangement.
Your advice, generously given, is worth way more than it costs.
Just this morning Don mentioned to me how stupid voters can be. I like the term "tyranny of the majority."

jeanne said...

nicely done!

Anonymous said...

It is fun reading the interesting running facts about you.

Your worst run sounds very similar to mine a few years back...but I finally did break down and cry!

Irish Blue said...

That's very interesting stuff. I really liked your short stint into politics. What a crazy process, aye.

Petraruns said...

It's great advice. Especially the run early - I subscribe to that school. I love the sense of achievement I have the rest of the day and it propels me on to do it again..

And your tagging is very classy - and your feelings, as always, honest. So sorry.

Rich said...

American populace ;-) It's always seems to be the other people who are messing everything up. I feel the same way!

Rhea said...

Hi Peter! It'll be great to see you in Tahoe in a few days for the race. Speaking of which, it's 2:45 pm on a Sunday, and I still have to do my long run! It's hard to get motivated to run long by myself ...

Jade Lady said...

Your posts are alway so interesting. Thx for sharing - always love to hear your advice - free or not!

akshaye said...

Ah.. thats some great advice! Thats quite amazing that you ran the branch office for George McGovern.

Don said...

I think I'll consider myself tagged. Requires a little thought though. Not sure what will be my worst race experience .. probably yet to come.