A Complete Change In My Life And My Running
What Running Means To Mean
The History Of Running
Steve Prefontaine Quotes
May 29-30, 1975
Pre died in the early morning hours of Friday May 30, 1975. We raced at Hawyard Field the previous Thursday evening. To the left is Pre talking to me before the 800m. Pre ran 5000m in what turned out to be his final race. Pre died about 6 hours after this picture was taken.
[from Tom Jordan's book] "Against the unbearableness of Steve Prefontaine's death, it is comforting to know that virtually everyone he cared about was close to him on the last night of his life."
His last race over, Pre took several victory laps, saying thanks to the people of Eugene. At one point, he stopped and talked with his family who had come from Coos Bay to watch the meet. After signing autographs, he went to the apartment of his friends Mark Feig and Steve Bence to shower.
Later, Pre stopped by the Oregon awards banquet and talked to Bill Dellinger about his training. After a brief visit, he and his girlfriend, Nancy Allman {Pre was dating Nancy instead of Mary at the time of his death}, left for a party being held by Geoff Hollister up at his house to celebrate the end of the Finnish tour.
First, however, Pre made his ritual stop at the Paddock for congratulations and a few beers. Then he went to the party about 10:00 p.m.
Shorter, Moore, and the Finns were there. Pre's parents were there. Walt McClure, too. Pre was happy and relieved that the tour was over. According to some of the guests there, he drank about six beers in the two hours he remained at the party.
At 12:15 a.m., Pre left with Nancy and Frank. "We all three got into the MG and drove down to the UO ticket office where Nancy had left her car and let her off," Shorter told Jerry Uhrhammer of the Eugene Register-Guard. "Then he drove me home."
Shorter was staying with the Ken Moores at their home on one of the hills encircling Eugene. He and Pre sat in the car for a few minutes, discussing what their stand would be on the AAU moratorium. Both agreed that they would not duck the meet, but would run their specialties all-out, and then take on the AAU. With that, Shorter got out of the car, and Pre drove on down the hill.
What exactly happened at the bottom of Skyline Boulevard is open to question. It was a road Pre had run along hundreds of times in his years in Eugene. As it approaches the intersection with Birch Lane, there is a sharp curve. Although there was no indication of excessive speed, Pre's 1973 MGB crossed the center line, went over the curb and hit one wall of the natural rock that lines either side of the street. His car flipped over, pinning him underneath. The MG was equipped with a roll bar, but Pre was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident. He apparently did not die instantly, but suffocated from the impact and weight of the car on his chest.
There were skid marks for 40 feet from the wall, indicating that he had slammed on the brakes after losing control of the car. Why he lost control is unknown.
Moments after the accident, another car, also an MG, came on the scene. The occupant, seeing someone pinned under the overturned auto, apparently panicked and sped off to get his father, a doctor. By the time neighbors had alerted the police and they arrived at the accident, there was no longer a pulse. Pre was dead.
An autopsy performed the next day showed that the level of alcohol in Pre's blood was 0.16 percent, above the Oregon legal limit of 0.10 percent. Perhaps his driving wa impaired enough that he simply misjudged the curve and his approach speed. Perhaps, as one policeman speculated, he was reaching for his cassette tape of John Denver's "Back Home Again" and took his eyes off the road. Perhaps he failed to make the turn for an altogether different reason.
The result is the same.
Flags at half-mast, the scoreboard clock ticking away, and silence. Absolute silence. Eugene was saying good-bye to Steve Prefontaine. At the end of the ceremony, the crowd stood, applauding the time on the clock - 12:36.2 - a time Pre once said he would be satisfied with in the three mile. photo by Don Chadez.
Frank Shorter
Frank Shorter
Frank Shorter
Frank Shorter
Frank Shorter
You don't run 26 miles at five minutes a mile on good looks and a secret recipe.
Frank Shorter
Antti Viskari, John J. Kelley, and Eino Oksanen Sitting Together
Yes I always tried to again to resume running but if it wasn't one thing it was another in regards to something else happening. Then in the spring of 1998 my left knee began to bother me, in which I had it operated on that summer. Then all hell broke loose with my life. When I was released from the hospital I was put on a medication called Ultram. At the time it was classified as a non-narcotic and was to have no dependency affects. Well I now no better. It ruined my life and made my life with wife Carol and chikdren Chris & Sarah a living hell. I was so caught up in the sickness of this drug that I could care less about anything else. And yes I also tried to resume running & training as well as worked through this maze of sickness. Back then I always knew there was a problem but continued to function just enough to get by with my fast debilitating life style. It ruined me as well as everyone whom cared for and loved me. But its a sickness hard to explain to someone whom has not experienced. Well through this I had 2 more surgeries on the knee of which were not successful at all. I was frustrated as hell and sick of the whirlwind lifestyle I was leading. I had tried an inpatient detox program but quite obviously I was not ready to stop the madness. Again I tried another program at the Mountainside Treatment Center and although I went back to the druging and lying to all the program did indeed provide me with much information and guidence of which I am every thankful for now. I also hooked up with a great therapist named Julie Longton and she was a saint whom also provided me many tools and help with much support and hard love through all these difficult and trying times. But yes I continued to use and abuse myself and then one day in 05/2004 I awoke and said enough is enough. At that time I was not taking the drug as I had previously when I would take 8-10 a day. At this time it was around 3-4 per day so I suffered some and went through only a few days of withdrawl but I had hit rock bottom and was determined to pick myself back up and get myself back together. Times with Carol were hard. I put her through hell, and this is not something she deserved because she is a sweet loving person . And my relationship with my children also suffered, but again I was determined to mend, heal and move forward in a positive manner. The damage I caused to my family, my mom, sister and yes my dad whom has sinced passed. The sad part about my dad was that he never knew since my mom chose not to tell him since he was ill with his stroke and difficulties with everyday living.
The day of getting my life back was 05/22/2004 - I had had it with that shitty drug Ultram and it was done. I then on 07/04/2004 moved away from home and moved in with my sister Cindy whom I am ever so thankful for. She gave me a place to live and provided me much support and love. Well yes I tried to commence running again in 09/2004 but again the left knee acted up. I then found a great surgeon named Dr. Hutchens whom operated on my knee in early 2005. Again I resumed running and it lasted just two months before it again acted up to the point where it was hard to walk. I made an appointment with him the second week of 09/2005 and was told that I had very few options. One was never run again and endure the pain, another was total knee replacment of which I would never run again and the third was a replacment of the meniscus through a cadaver. Well for me it was a no brainer since I wanted to RUN. I went in to the hospital on 11/22/2005 and had the surgery completed. Talk about hell and swelling and the pain was intolerable. I was taking pain meds since I had no choice but it was controlled and I had no problem with it. After surgery I worked and worked with my PT to get the knee back so I could again run again. My doctor thought I was crazy but he knew my desire to lace up the shoes again was not going to be taken from me easily. As he has stated to me many times " you are running on a time bomb waiting to blow ". If it does it does but I am a smarter in regards to listening to my body and when to take it easy.
Now when I commenced this quest on 06/01 I had to learn how to run all over again. A complete workout consisted of 100 meters at a time. It took I month just to get to a point where I could run 2 miles. Fast forward to now - I have missed just 4 days of running since the beginning and do double workouts at least 2x per week. The majority of my running is completed in a controlled enviornment on the track. Yes it gets boring but its better than the alternative. It provides much cushion for the knee and yes I do run on the road but in a limited manner. I run by time and not miles @ 8:30 -9:00 minute miles. I have done very limited speed but will commence soon doing T running to develop strength and speed. My left knee will never be right or 100%. I have a continued problem with my left quad which breaks down very often. I must continue to do my exercises and light weight lifting to keep it strong. If I can get it to 95% strength it would benefit my so much but at this point and time its maybe 85%. I run with a very slight limp due to the limited strength in the leg but it will improve with time.
So here I am today running and just thankful that I am able to do so. I know I have limited physical abilities but I will never use that as an excuse. I will push forward and continue to improve. It will take at least a full year of training and racing before I see much of a benefit. I would love to be able to run a 5k averaging 6:10 per mile but only time will tell. Its all up to my physical growth and staying healthy. I have the desire and determination and again am just fortunate to be putting one foot in front of the other.
As for the drug addiction I must call my old therapist Julie and thank her for all she did for me. Its funny and I keep saying this and told Julie on many occassions. You could put a bottle of Percoset and Ultram in front of me. I would throw the bottle of Percs away but eat the Ultram. No reason why but its part of the attraction to the devilish drug that I had. I must always keep in mind that its one day at a time and I am only one pill away from it starting all over again. But I have my life back and everything else if beginning to fall back into place. I have a lovely granddaughter in baby Hailey. Shes the apple of my eye. Carol is my friend and how and why she still supports me is beyond belief. Chris & Sarah I get along very well with. Chris has changed so much for the good and now has a wonderful girlfriend in Tiffany. Sarah I say was born to be a mother. She is so great with Hailey but as for her getting married to Nate, she has no interest in that. They are both young but they will learn with life experiences.
I will now move forward and continue to strive for my goal of running the Las Vega Marathon. I will be there god given. But if not it will never be because I did not try. Life and running is all about putting your best foot forward and doing the best you can. In life its about treating people the way you want to be treated. With running its all about determination and for me now I must also include patience.
Bill Rodger's Quotes
Bill Rodgers
Bill Rodgers
Bill Rodgers
Bill Rodgers
John J. Kelley Is The Only Member Of The BAA To Ever Win The Boston Marathon
My Jock Story
Career Summary
An excellent competitive runner during his high school years at Bulkeley School in New London, Connecticut, Kelley began racing in marathons during his college years. From 1950 to 1954, he attended Boston University, a Massachusetts school located about a mile from the Boston Marathon finish line. While at Boston University, he would excel in team races and would run his first two Boston Marathons, in 1953 and 1954. He finished fifth in the 1953 race before following up with a 7th place finish the next year. After graduation from college, Kelley would finish 2nd in the 1956 Boston Marathon and made his way onto the U.S. Olympic Marathon team which competed in Melbourne, Australia during the same year. He would go on to win the Boston Marathon outright in 1957 while setting a new course record on the remeasured course. After his win at Boston, Kelley would win several other marathons including eight consecutive wins of the Yonkers Marathon in Yonkers, New York.[1] As a result of his record setting performance at Yonkers in 1960, he again found his way onto the U.S. Olympic Marathon team and competed in the 1960 Olympics in Rome. He placed 21st and 19th in the Melbourne and Rome Olympic marathons respectively.
John J. Kelley's Boston Marathons
- 1953 2:28:19 5th
- 1954 2:28:51 7th
- 1956 2:14:33 2nd
- 1957 2:20:05 1st
- 1958 2:30:51 2nd
- 1959 2:23:43 2nd
- 1960 DNF
- 1961 2:23:54 2nd
- 1962 2:28:37 4th
- 1963 2:21:09 2nd
- 1964 2:27:23 7th
- 1965 2:25:23 14th
- 1967 2:25:25 12th
- 1968 2:37:03 15th
- 1969 2:31:36 22nd
- 1970 2:36:50 63rd
- 1971 2:44:10 96th
- 1972 2:40:05 79th
- 1973 2:41:13 66th
- 1974 2:32:18 78th
- 1975 2:34:11 169th
- 1976 2:46:43 154th
- 1977 2:46:26 353rd
- 1980 2:55:45
- 1982 2:55:50
- 1983 2:55:30
- 1984 2:58:35
- 1986 3:01:40
- 1987 3:08:46
- 1988 3:28:53
- 1989 3:46:50
- 1992 4:07:32
John J. Kelley is the only runner to ever win both the Boston Marathon and Mount Washington Road Race, which he won in 1961. He made the ascent in one hour and 8 minutes 54 seconds, nearly seven minutes faster than the winning times in the three previous years the race had been held, 1936-1938.
Life Beyond Running
After the pinnacle of his career as a runner, he went onto a successful career as high school running coach. At Fitch High School in Groton, Connecticut, Kelley coached Amby Burfoot, winner of the 1968 Boston Marathon. In addition to coaching, Kelley would find work over the years as a newspaper columnist, free lance writer, cab driver and running wear store co-owner. John Kelley married Jacintha C. Braga in 1953, and has three children, Julia, Kathleen, and Eileen.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Back On The Road Again
Total running time 47:11
NO RUN !!!!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Race Saturday And And Another 3rd Place !!! Oh Well !!!
Evening run was 44:39
Total running time was 66:16
3rd place in the 50-59 division
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Ouch !! Ouch !!! Ouch !!!!
The run went well with the intensity way down. I'm now resting for the race and hope to run well.
Total running time 20:28
Ran More Than I Wanted But
Total running time 50:30
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Just An Overall Very Good Run
Total running time was 51:10
Monday, June 18, 2007
Nice Eay Run At Sunset
Running time 45:10
very Warm & Humid
Running time was 45:06
Evening run was great with a slight breeze and the sun setting. Running time was 27:12
Total running time for the day 1:12.18
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Such A Great Saturday Morning Run
Running time 52:08
My evening run was just bottom line / ENJOYABLE / legs were a tad tight but overall I felt just fine. I will wait and see about tomorrows workout. I am planning to run just once but I may cut it up into 2 workouts since I have Union training tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.
Evening running time was 30:16
Total running time for the day 1:22.24
This Was A Good Run
Running time 51:12
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Now You Want To Talk About A True E Run
Running time 42:22 - and if this was calculated in mile - we might be talking feet.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Back To RUNNING !!!
Total running time 48:19
Monday, June 11, 2007
No Run !!! No Run !!! But A Long Bike Ride
Biking time 52:06
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Day After Race Day
Total run time 46:06
Did retro running this evening. Felt Ok but feel tomorrow will be a tough day. There will be no race this coming weekend and hope to race in Norwich the following saturday. Run time this evening was 26:12
Total running time for the day is 1:12.18
Saturday, June 9, 2007
2nd Place In The Old Man Division
I now know that the reality is that I could run 6:40's all day long but to run faster is just to much for the knee. I have spoken to my PT and he stated that by developing the quad more and continued exercises that it will strengthen the area and hopefully allow me to run harder & quicker. Oh well !!!!! just happy and fortunate that I am able to run.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Race Day Tomorrow !!!!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Easy Day / Race On Saturday
Running time 20:19
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Nice Road Run
Running time 46:12
Evening run went real well. Ran on the track with it being VERY windy & cool. With the race on saturday I will begin to back off and take it easy. Running time for the night run was 28:01.
Total running time for the day is 1:14.13
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Nice Easy Run !!!
Total running time 48:08
Monday, June 4, 2007
Nice Easy Day !!!
Total running time 26:11
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Not Great But Jusk OK
Running time 51:08. Will run again this evening.
Just went through the motions with this run. I was not tired or fatigued but my stomach and inner thighs were sore. The old meshing / ouch !!!! Running time for evening run was 24:15.
Total running time for the day 1:15.23
Saturday, June 2, 2007
God Awful / HOT & HUMID
Total running time 45:12. Maybe I will run this evening.
Friday, June 1, 2007
YES YES YES 1 Year !!!!!!!!
Today I did a 10 minute warmup and 10 minute cool down. In between I did 12X200 with the interval being 200. Felt great and tried something different today. After the 1st set a took a 3 minute walk break and then did the next set of 6. Quite honestly I did not see much of a difference from the previous speed workout.
Yes the most encouraging thing is that I believe I am beginning to get a rhythm to my training and running. Only time will tell.
Total running time was 48:12
Evening run went real well. Running time was 28:00
Total running time for the day is 1:15.12 GREAT DAY & 1 year / maybe I need a beer !! NO