We ran into Bruce Fleming this morning, who was one of my running/road racing buddies from 20-26 years ago, on the Aldercrest portion of the walk!
He recognized me as he raced by (unlike me, he still has good eyesight, and good running legs, too!).. The last time I saw him, I competed on his Precision CastParts 2002 marathon racing team as a replacement for an injured teammate. I was recovering from a broken leg I had sustained at the 2002 Newport Marathon, in which I still limped into the finish line in 4th PLACE overall, and because of the healing of my fracture in record time, and my competitiveness at that time, I decided to run with Bruce’s team anyway.
A very painful finish.
I won a Master’s division age group award, under someone else’s name. His team won the team competition, but then was disqualified when my substitution for the other runner was revealed by the injured runner, who was somehow offended, and professed “higher values”.
I could care less either way, as I was just happy to be able to run, coming back from my sixth serious running injury in 7 years.
I never received my award.
Oh, anonymity has no social recognition, does it?
And most of the races I competed in, and excelled in were not recognized by anybody but myself, and my wife Sharon
That is OK.
I stopped all road running and racing in late 2006, after yet another fracture of a leg. I was training hard, and my running/racing times were dropping dramatically to the point that as a 50 year old, I was ready to run with THE BIG BOYS. The pain was too great for me and I began a two year slide into a near fatal experience of painkiller addiction, with another difficult two year recovery program of tapering with Suboxone, which was enlightening, while being extremely uncomfortable.. Twenty years of sobriety also broke its legs, as well.
I have boxes of awards left over from my running career that no one gives a shit about, anyway, including me.
I am happy just being able to walk without a limp, and to occasionally jog on the treadmill now.
The 1996 Road Runner of the Year award still looks great in my closet!
I am proud of my victory in the 1996 Estacada marathon (master division), a second place finish overall in the Columbia Gorge Marathon in 90 degree heat, third, fourth and fifth place finishes OVERALL in other marathons, and a near miracle finish in the Las Vegas International Marathon in early 2002 , as well as three of my ultramarathon victories, each of which the second place finisher was several minutes behind me.
My excellence has left the road, perhaps for the good of all.
Now, I am a writer.
And, my experience as an almost elite runner has prepared me well for the lukewarm reception that I am presently getting as a writer..
There are so many first place plaques and trophies, here. Not one of them could replace a healthy body, or a hug from a true friend, however.
Estacada Marathon victory, also in 90 degree temps.
