My runner involvement covers most every aspect of running. It began early on the hill behind our family farm in Collbran. At PVHS I did all three sport and set the school record in the 440 at 52.8. At Mesa JC I lettered in the 440 and 880 and then on to CSC in Greeley lettering again. But my fastest times came at age 40, 2:03 in the 800 and 4:36 in the mile. College coaching back then left a lot to be desired, my longest training run was two miles on Lincoln Park golf course. That motivated me later to learn and do better for runners. After earning a BA and MA in history I became a teacher at Fruita HS. I transferred to GJHS and became the CC coach in it’s 2nd year and the learning began. The neat group of runners introduced me to Dr. Wubben and his desert races. I ran with the runners and started racing, I learned how to train and especially strategy and applied it to the success of my runners. The year after Title IX I was lucky enough to become the Girls Track coach, amazing string of young ladies tired of setting on the sidelines. in 1979 I became the coach of the combined program and assistant for runners in CC and the girls CC teams I worked with won three 5A state championships and three thirds, much due to strategy.
To develop tracksters I started and directed the Western Slope Striders summer AAU/USATF program for 12 years for 9-18 kids and put on three summer meets a year for kids under 12.
After Frank Shorter started the running revolution I became competitive. My first of 18 marathons was the first GJ event in 1978. I ran from GJ to Highline Lake with three of my ex-runners in 3:06. My fastest was 2:29 at Fiesta Bowl at age 40 in 1984. 1986 Masters’ record at the Long Beach Marathon in 2:33, biggest pay day was 1990 Masters win at LV Marathon in 2:35, ran NYC 2 times, poorly 2:43 in 1986 8th Masters and 1994 in 2:47 and 1st American over 50. Masters record at Georgetown half in 1985 in 1:11:46. Best 10K, Denver Governor’s Cup in 32:30 in ‘86, ran Carlsbad Nat. Champ 5K 8x all 5th or better best time 16:36. I probably love CC best. I won the USATF age 55 championship in Boston in 2000 and was 2nd in the 60 championships in Saratoga, NY in 2006. Fun events.
One of the original founder and board member of the Mesa Monument Sriders I have served as President, even Strider editor and still serve as race scheduler. I have been race founder and/or director for many Strider events: Turkey Prediction Run, Tortoise and Hare, Startest series, Main Street Mile, Appleton Freezer, 5 Mile Time Trial, and my favorite the Monument Downhill 5K. I also brought affordable chip timing to the valley and with great helpers made it the club money maker.
In the process of all this I put 90,000 miles on my legs with many great running partners until three pieces of cartilage broke off in my left knee in 2017 at age 72. Thanks to all I have had the privilege to work with and train with. Everyone just keep doing it.