On I went, out of the wood, passing the man leading without knowing I was going to do so. Flip-flap, flip-flap, jog-trot, jog-trot, curnchslap-crunchslap, across the middle of a broad field again, rhythmically running in my greyhound effortless fashion, knowing I had won the race though it wasn't half over, won it if I wanted it, could go on for ten or fifteen or twenty miles if I had to and drop dead at the finish of it, which would be the same, in the end, as living an honest life like the governor wanted me to. -Alan Sillitoe, "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner"

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

A new PR to be, and more on my love for Frank Shorter

In 1987, my dad ran New York.  He and my mom went to NYC for vacation (this was a Very Big Thing for us midwestern, provincial types), he ran a 4:20:39, and he brought me back an autographed Frank Shorter poster.  It was a few years still before I would start running, and a few years more before I would amass my own collection of signed Frank Shorter stuff and Frank Shorter would accuse me jokingly of stalking him.  (Dude: I know you went to Yale and then on to law school because of the internet.)  I guess he's not used to having a Superfan.  Because I am one.  Because I love Frank Shorter.

Anyway: 4:20:39.  That won't happen for me this year, but I have a new goal.  My dad's old times are going DOWN.  Tricky thing is that he did most of his running before the advent of chip timing, so I probably have to err wide to make sure that I beat him.  Luckily there were fewer people running in those days, so I won't go for straight up clock time.  His PR, at Chicago, was 4:10:11, so once I smash his 4:20, I can move onto smashing his PR.  Mwah ha ha ha.

I told him about this plan, hoping to incite some friendly rivalry, and he laughed and said, "You know, Tracy, you should really have higher goals than that."

(I hope I don't have to tell you that the photo is Frank Shorter and not my father.)
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5 comments:

  1. Silly Girl RunningTue Aug 10, 08:54:00 AM EDT

    You dad is sweet for telling you that you should have higher goals than smashing his times. :)

    And why not try and smash the 4:20? You might surpise yourself! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnnieTue Aug 10, 09:24:00 AM EDT

    Can you tell Frank that his wicking tank top that I bought at the pre-race expo left me with a 1-inch abrasion on my chest? hahaha it looks like a rug burn...I won't swear off Frank Shorter clothing just yet...because of you :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. JLTTue Aug 10, 10:46:00 AM EDT

    4:20 sounds amazing :) frank shorter's picture makes me smile!

    ReplyDelete
  4. TTue Aug 10, 11:37:00 AM EDT

    Annie, on behalf of Frank Shorter, let me apologize for his tank top. BUT, you had a great race, didn't you? Even a PR?

    And 4:20 does sound amazing... Someday. Someday.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnnieTue Aug 10, 01:15:00 PM EDT

    yes you are correct...i guess i should have actually thanked Frank Shorter for helping me with my PR..haha

    ReplyDelete

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