2022 RunBlogRun Spring Middle Distance Daily Track Training (800m-5000m), Week 19, Day 3

The first time that I tried to lead a race was in my junior year in high school. We had a dual meet against Sunnyvale High School. I was running the mile. Just off the first turn, I took the lead and lead through the 400 meters, in about 70. The top miler from Sunnyvale took the lead just at the top of the turn, and on the backstretch, I took it back, hitting the 880 in about 2:25. In the third lap, the lead changed several times, the runner from Sunnyvale would lead, then I would lead. My tactics were non-existent. As we hit the bell, we were together, and I took the lead once again, running down the backstretch. I was getting pretty excited, as my teammate Chris Schenone screamed, ” Eder, Dream on!” I pushed around the final turn and was building a lead down the stretch when I began to run out of gas. First, the Sunnyvale runner sprinted by, taking the win, and then, our top 2 miler, Dan Greeney went by, and I finished third, in a 4:55.6, my best at the time.

adidas Interval, shoe that I trained and raced in 1974, photo courtesy of Steve Bence Blogspot (could not find a picture anywhere)

My brother Brian, 12 at the time, was there with my Mom. Brian had seen me run races at DeSmet (near St.Louis) when I placed last in a cross country race. Now, three years later, in California, he was watching me race, and he told me later that he liked watching me upfront. It would be six more years before I would win my first race (my senior year in college). I still can remember that race, some 47 years later.

Running is about the memories and friendships made.

Your workout today is , May 18, 2022, Wednesday: warm-up, 40-50 minutes, moderate running, 6 x 150m stride outs, cooldown