by Larry EderMy first cross country race was on September 11, 1972. I had an off day from school, so Dad took me fishing at Rock Lake for my birthday. I was 14 that day. We went fishing in the morning, and then, I headed over to DeSmet Jesuit High, in Creve Coeur, Mo, for my first race.
A running shoe from 1939, made by Adi Dassler, photo by adidas Communications
The distance was 2 miles, and I finished dead last, in a time of 18:09. My little brother Brian told me that I had finished so far back, he thought I was leading the next race! It was a painful experience. It would not be until eight years later, in my senior year at Santa Clara University, that I experienced winning a race. I have to say, finishing last for all of my freshman and sophomore years in cross country taught me humility. I was always happy on improving and as I got fitter, I understood that running was, like life, about challenging oneself.
Enjoy the upcoming cross country season, enjoy the daily runs with your friends, but most of all, enjoy the pure act of living.
Sunday: Long run, 75-90 minutes, at a conversational pace
2021 RunBlogRun, week # 14, Summer mileage, day 7
Monday: light run, 45 minutes easy pace, stretch, 4 x 150 m stride-outs, light cooldown. (AM for advanced: 30-minute run)
Tuesday: warm-up, 4 x 6 minutes, 5k race pace, 3-5 minute jog in between intervals, on XC course, or park, cooldown.
Wednesday: AM for advanced: 30-minute run.
light run, 45 minutes easy pace, stretch, 4 x 150 m light cooldown.
Thursday: warm-up, Hill repeats, 6 x 200m up the hill, jog easy down, 20 minutes good pace, 6 x 300m, at 800m pace, 100m jog between, slow cooldown.
Friday: Advanced athletes, take light AM 30 minute run.
light run, 45 minutes easy pace, stretch, 4 x 150 m stride-outs, light cooldown.
Saturday: warm-up, 3 x 1 mile, 800m jog, miles at 5k pace, 4x150m stride outs, cooldown
Sunday: Long run, 75-90 minutes, at a conversational pace
