Coaches Influenced By Coach Groves Have Good Memories

My recent foray into a 1977 XC meet was met with agreement and embellishment from two other participants that day. No corrections of facts presented and further elucidation of the particulars came from both of them.

Mason, OH State Champion XC Coach Tom Rapp remembers that the meet was mostly a dual meet against powerful Georgetown held on neutral turf in Williamsburg, VA.  He also remembers that our first man had to break up the threatened 1-2-3 finish of Georgetown studs for us to have a chance at the meet and a trip to the NCAA Championships!  This was before the current system of Prelim meets and such.

Then John Ziegler chimed in with the fact that he was in fact the first man battling it out against all 3 of them.  John remembers the games and tactics they used, which weren't always legal.  But John overcame the odds and finished 2nd, allowing our remaining corps of harriers to seal the victory from the favored Hoyas.  Tom also verified my seemingly made up assertion that we ran 18 miles that day.

I forgot to ask both of them if they remember KKOB's GI issues during the whole trip.  But Ziggy does remember singing Earth, Wind and Fire tunes much to the dismay of Mike Wyatt and Coach Groves.

 

A Different Kind Of Streak

I am not referring to KKB's habit of disrobing for a run.  I am not commenting on the natural "free" running of the Yanomamo tribe.  I am not commenting on the Mifflin Mile (RIP).  And I am not even commenting on my 5.6-year streak of at least one mile daily.

Ken Cooper has kept alive his streak of a 5:00 mile every year since he was 15 (I think).  Anyway, that's 34 years straight for the effort.  Turns out that he is 3rd on the active list and the only one of the 3 to have completed his in 2020.  Congrats Ken!

Earlier this year I hit my 34th straight year.  Looking to catch Steve Spence, who's steak is the longest and ended last year at 43 years.  Below is the list.  Some other names you may recognize.

LONGEST STREAKS OF SUB 5:00 MILE

        Athlete                        Yrs    1st    Last    Status

1      Steve Spence                    43      1976    2018    Ended 2019

2      Richard Myers                  42      1971    2012    Ended 2013

3      Tony Young                      41      1975    2015    Ended 2016

4      Joe Carnegie                    40      1970    2009    Ended 2009

5      Peter Kashulines                39      1981    2019    Active - 2019

6      Christian Cushing-Murray        38      1982    2019    Active - 2019

7      Emil Magallanes        38      1971    2008    Ended 2009

8      Pete Kessler                    36      1977    2012    Ended 2013

9      Ken Cooper                      34      1987    2020    Active - 2020

10      Gary Rosenberg                  33      1987    2019    Active - 2019

11      Jeff Barros                    33      1973    2005    Ended 2006

12      Tom Derderian                  33      1967    1999    Ended 2000

13      Dave Milner                    32      1985    2016    Ended 2017

14      Arhreev Bauvnav        30      1991    2020    Active - 2020

15      Mark Coogan                    28      1982    2009    Ended 2010

16      Brian Hilty                    28      1991    2018    Ended 2019

17      Dave Lee                        25      1979    2002    Ended 2002

Another Mish Mash of Submissions

My posting has been erratic at best, and quite pitiful at worst.  I have received submissions that I couldn't get to in a timely fashion.  And I'm lazy besides...

But,

First up, a submission from KKOB which brought to mind the yearly realization of small game hunting season only as we heard gunshots very near to us while running in THE GAME LANDS in early October!

These guys actually saved a lost hunter while out on a run!  (Thanks, Kelly)

Salute to the Cuba High School XC team. 

Next, another a submission about a high school team coached by from Friend of the Group Martha White Collins in Wellesley MA, the halfway point of the Boston Marathon. Martha coaches the girls team. The boys are actually coached by former Olympian Tim Broe! And Here. These students don't do the old-fashioned blogging like this curmudgeon.  They put together videos about their exploits on a You Tube Channel, The CoolDown!  Good job, Jason Norris.

The CoolDown

In this epidode, they torture a sprinter while trying to get him to run a 7-Minute Mile. Hee hee hee 

Last but not least, Greg Fredericks sent along word of another member of our group retiring.  This time it is from his job, not the track.   Congrats to Joe DeStefano on retirement from the Penn State Justice and Safety Institute.  Joe was a highly recruited discus thrower from Waltham, MA who graduated in 1971.

Joe DeStefano.

The Way, Way Back Machine Is Rusty

Sorry for the dearth of posting lately.  Work is a four-letter word that ends in K.

But it was 41 years ago that we first heard of the plane crash that decimated Lynyrd Skynyrd.  I remember exactly where I was when we got the word over the radio.  We were nearing the hotel in Williamsburg, VA on a Friday evening in the cross country van driven by Coach Groves.  I was seated in the next to last row between Ray Krombel and Kevin Kelly O'Brien.

Also in the van were Captain Bruce Baden (in the shotgun seat) and Captain John Ziegler.  Others included Jim Clelland, Frit Cooper, Mike Wyatt, Larry Mangan and his Freshman roommate Tom Rapp.  (Did I miss anyone?)  Of course I did!  Campbell Lovett, Dave Felice and Brian Boyer were there too!  Bob Snyder was injured.  (no wonder the van was uncomfortable. 14 of us was too many!)

We were on our way to a meet with Willam and Mary and Georgetown on the grounds of the insane asylum next to the campus.  Coach Groves told us a few stories of escapes from the place. Nice to know when you were alone in the woods during the race.

Our warm-up that day was to run the entire 10K course.  Then the race.  And then the warm-down turned out to be the entire 10K course!  I actually fainted during the warm-down and, as always, the only person who noticed was Mike Wyatt, my guardian angel those first 2 years. I think we won the meet, but I hope others chime in with more.

Incidentally, I became a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd that day when I learned they named the group after their mean gym teacher, Leonard Skinner at Robert E. Lee High School.  hee hee hee

This Gem Brings Me Both Joy And Shame

Our superb William and Mary Connection and current coach of Gettysburg High School, Brian Mount somehow dug up a gem of an article from the Centre Daily Times from the days before color was invented, 1978.

This article includes me and gives me both joy and shame at the same time.  As most of you know, I am not afraid to point out my poor performances whenever I can, but this one probably can't even be called one of them!  This was during my "great groin pull" (now known in medical circles as a high ankle sprain, I believe?) of 1978 from a stupid choice of fencing as a Phys ed class.  (I did end up taking second place in the class tournament with a superb 3-phase parry and thrust to win my Semi-Final and earn an "A" in the class. Can't remember the world renowned fencing coach who ran the class, but he said it was a great showing that last day.  So I got that going for me anyway.)

Joys:

• The mentions of great friends Ted Lyon, Jim Clelland, Kevin Kelly O'Brien, Pete Bortolotti, Brian Boyer, Gary Black and Tim Backenstose. Both Glenn Chumley and Mark Stephenson were friends, but I did not know them as well as the others.
• Only the second race that I can confirm beating Gary Black.
• The mention of my daughter's namesake and great friend Martha White (Collins) and Nittany Lion great Kathy Mills (Parker).

Shame:

• Again losing out to Kelly, Jim, and even Ted.  I swear I beat them some of the time, but no one ever produces evidence of those times!   hee hee hee
• Placing right behind Glenn Chumley, An HALF-MILER!!!  Glenn was famous for running a 1:53 half on Wednesday at practice and then 1:55 for the meet on Saturday. (hee hee hee)  That, AND making the front page of the Collegian by streaking during a snow storm.  Coach could never prove it was him because the photo was from behind, but we all knew just by his running style.  One time years later, I saw him ahead of me jogging in Fairmount Park.  I caught up with him and it was certainly him.  I recognized him by his distinctive running style even after a few years.  Someone out there will comment on just what this was.  I can't seem to place it in words right now.  Anyway, Glenn, I tip my hat to you for beating me in an XC race.

Our Official Physicist* Moved 7,000 Miles Away, But He Still Can't Shake Us!

Brian Boyer moved to Vienna, Austria to join the IAEA team several years ago. Yet he gets constant reminders of his Happy Valley roots by hiking the streets of his adopted town. And a hearty hello to Brian from me!

Yet another former Penn State XC teammate has his own street.   Tom Rapp 1981. Ironically O'Briengasse (Kevin Kelly O'Brien 1980) is a block away. Both in 21st District Vienna.  Zieglergasse (John Ziegler 1980) and Stemmerallee (Paul Stemmer 1977)  I knew of years ago.  Could be more.

 * Actually a nuclear engineer, but still smarter than us.

Darrell Hill Drafted!

Into the Tracktown Track and Field Series!

I'm not sure how it all works.  That's for the Interns to figure out under the direction of our new Intern Czar Kevin Kelly O'Brien.  But it is another attempt at a professional track and field league culminating in a championship at Hayward Field.  I think I read that there will only be one meet this year, but regional meets in the home cities will be in the future.  Including Franklin Field!

Darrell Hill was selected for inclusion on the Philadelphia team.  No news on ridiculous mascots, but I'm sure they are coming.  I suggest the Philadelphia Schuykylls, so that no one ever spell it correctly or know what the heck they are talking about.  In addition to the 16 drafted athletes on each of the four teams, there will be 20 athletes added via free agency.  Look for some more Nittany Lions among the ranks.

Submissions From Fans Of The Blog!

I love receiving just about anything from my 100's of fans!  Yes, I did say hundreds.  Things are really starting to pick up steam here at Blog Central.  And just about anything YOU submit will be included too.

• Coach Bill Preston generously submitted a more complete map of the PSUAC Mont Alto XC Course I helped to map out last week. Thanks Coach!  I will certainly be there for the races.
  
  
• KKOB sent me an article reminding us that PSU was there at the very beginning of the Nike Oregon Project.  Friend Tom Clarke, PSU Biomechanics PhD, started it all and recruited Alberto Salazar as the coach.  Previous post on this HERE.
• Rob Whiteside and his daughter Phoebe (Large and White Rabbit) have had a terrible time of it once they entered the New England area.  They are currently in New Hampshire headed toward Maine on the Appalachian Trail, where the hiking is at some of the most difficult of the whole trail.  Weather has not been their friend at all, and Rob took a tumble with a few lingering side effects.  I hope all of you say a prayer for them as I do daily.

It's Distance Night At Penn Relays!

I've made quite a few, but will miss this one.  Kelly O'Brien and Brian Boyer will be there.  If you are also, make sure to find them and get a picture for the blog!

And here's a pic of Paavo Nurmi setting the world record in the 2 Mile at Penn in 1929 with his 9:15.4!  (14:29 3 Mile victory the night before.)

Thanks to the world's greatest Track Historian for allowing me to swipe all of this stuff.  Mike Fanelli is the greatest!

Worse Than Rented Bowling Shoes!

Our Official Physicist and European Liaison Brian Boyer has sent us another submission sure to garner interest among the rabble.  He brings us this pic of an Adidas running shoe rental kiosk in Vienna.

He relates that the kilt-wearing KK O'Brien can testify that it may not be a great idea to "borrow" shoes worn by someone else.  The STD he contracted (that's shoe-contracted-disease) from a fellow Nittany Lion was a site to behold!

Join us in the inevitable Facebook comments section to learn more!

There Were More Than Sophomores At The 1977 AAU XC Meet at Belmont Plateau: Along With Another World Exclusive!

Although I wasn't there (and I"m not sure why????), a bunch of Sophomores were joined by Junior Tim Backenstose to win the overall race on the hills and dales of the Belmont Plateau course.  I'm wondering if they blew me off, or if I blew them off, as I was in very good shape at that time and even ran a 51:11 10-Miler in Millersville then.

But needless to say, they didn't need me!

Kelly O'Brien, Tim Backenstose and Jim Clelland.

"Noisy" Jim Clelland, "Official Physicist" Brian Boyer and Tim "Marathon Man" Backenstose

Brian Boyer, Doug Kent, Ray Krombel, Kelly O'Brien, Tim Backenstose, Jim Clelland, Erik Christiansen and Syd White.

And I am in debt to Tim Backenstose for these vintage photos, AND the only picture (that I know of) of me running in a Penn State uniform!!!!   This is from the 1979 Penn Relays Marathon won by Tim.  That's me leading the other PSU runners.  They all ended up beating me! 

If anyone knows who the guy is on the right of the AAU XC team photo  (Now identified as Syd White by Brian Boyer himself!) AND how to improve on this photo, let me know!

Rich Prann, Doug Kent, skwilli and Al Wolfe.

This was the only race I ever ran in these shoes! Took half of my right foot off.  

The Hills Were Alive With The Sound Of Sophomores

The post from the 1978 NVTC Marathon brought Official Physicist Brian Boyer out from his lair in the land of edelweiss and Ahhnold.  He brings us this great pic of 3 Freshman Sophomores at the 1977 XC meet at hilly Belmont Plateau! (I even knew that 1977 was MY Freshman year yesterday, but when I got up this morning I forgot!)

Updates via Facebook:   1977 AAU meet at Belmont Plateau was the day before the NCAA Championships in Washington.  The top 7 were there.  The rabble still won the meet at Belmont and traveled to Berwick for the Thanksgiving Day run after.  I ran the Millersville Turkey Trot and had my second best race ever (by IAAF standards). I also won a turkey randomly!

Kelly O'Brien, Ray Krombel, Brian Boyer.

And because Brian was injured and didn't run that 1978 NVTC Marathon he ran this recent race sporting his Alumni Singlet!

Painful Memories!

Greg Fredericks sent me this listing from the days of yore.  I have talked about it several times before but didn't have the entire listing before.  Remember, this was an "extra" race/training run including many milers.  Nothing like this ever happens today. There are numerous things to note:

• I "coached" the 5th, 6th and 7th runners to their first ever run over 15 miles.  I coached them so well that they all beat me when I hit the wall at 20 miles. I made them start slowly and pick it up at each 5 mile mark.  We were in third place behind Alan Sharsu when I dropped like a rock.  Larry Mangan, Mike Wyatt and Tom Rapp all had incredible range from 800M to marathon.
• I managed to stagger home ahead of Liz Berry, hearing the cheers behind me as she set the team record.
• This is the only race where I ever defeated Gary Black.
• Seeing Marc Dunmire defeat Coach Groves with curses in the air was great! (RIP Marc.)
• Psychology Prof Hersh Leibowitz ran 3:25:01 at age 53! (RIP Hersh.)
• The weather is listed as 50 degrees with no wind.  That is a lie.  There was snow on the roads and we all had windburn!
• Greg Fredericks did not run! Just for the record...
• The high number of non-finishers may be due to the 800M guys running only 15 miles???
• The combo of Jim Clelland and Kelly O'Brien gave Alan Scharsu a run for his money!
• Bruce Baden was an animal!

Naked And Hunted By Authorities

Well, I don't think they even got the chance to be naked!  But the plans were leaked, and the authorities thwarted the efforts and convicted the entire team for Hazing.  This world is out of control, and this may be the best example yet.

Artist's Conception.

Noted naked runner himself, KKOB, brought me this news even before it hit the national news.  There must be some kind of message board for clothes-optional runners, or something!

The story is extra-important to our group as the head coach at Rider is our very own PSU Track Alumni (Golfer) Bob Hamer.  Bob was coached in high school at Council Rock by my daughter's current coach, Bill Preston at Penn State Mont Alto.

I don't know how I feel about all of this.  On the one hand, I find it innocent fun (sans illegal alcohol) and the first chance in life at seeing naked girls for geeks like me.  On the other hand, I am a big opponent of hazing in any form.  But was this hazing when no one was coerced into participating?  And, again as always, I don't have all of the facts.

Next time guys and girls, wear a g-string and pasties and I think you'll be fine?  What do you think Kelly?

Penn's Track Glass Is Only Half Full: Now With 2 Addendums!

 "The renovation allows the track to still have one of the widest radii in the country, which is important for running fast times."

-Steve Dolan, Penn Coach.

9 lanes, 6 "regulation"

So I was misled about the refurbishment of the Penn Track that occurred over the Summer.  Trust, but verify is the coin of the realm, I suppose.

Thanks to Owen Dawson for the heads up on this.   

I was assured that the $3 Million construction would make the track eligible for both NCAA and USATF Championships.  But that may not be the case.  I was told that there would be the required 8 lanes of 400M running room.  That is not the case.  There will be six 400M lanes amid the total of nine lanes.  The inside rail will still be between lanes 3 and 4.

There has been noticeable improvements and improved times are expected.  There will be available space to run the 100M in either direction to take advantage of the winds.  Jumping events will have better exposure also in either direction.  The awkward steeple pit has been moved from the outside curve to an inside position.  Finishing lines and starting lines for all events are improved.

Addendum: Also from a comment from Kelly O'Brien,

Tsk tsk!
I should have been a bit more clear on my June 23rd FB post. This is only stage 1 of construction. Moving the SC water pit shows the plans to host world etc sanctioned meets have been accepted. Penn is now working on the wall move vs. football game timing issue.

"Yeah babee...butt nekkid!
My sources find that there are plans to move the walls back 3-4 rows at least, flip the track, among much more. The facility submitted plans and started negotiations to obtain rights to host the ncaa championships on a recurring basis starting in early 20s. The facility should be fully restored by end of September to meet football needs.
It is also negotiating with usatf and other track orgs. The steeple pit location will tell you how the negotiations are going/went. The pics are unclear ss to its new location in relation to the original lanes 5-8.
(Someone needs to do some research and realize that the ncaa and other track orgs have been trying for decades to entice Penn to convert its track to host championships. The infrastructure and staff and all other resources have been deemed ideal and ANY meet short of the Olympic Athletics would be easily and safely accommodated.)"

Addendum II:  Is a Diamond League Meet Possible?

Final Submissions Before The World Championships Begin

 Follow the IAAF action on your phone with the Android or iPhone app. iPhone   Android

Two Nittany Lions made the top 25 Pennsylvania athletes to watch in 2015-2016 from the Breitbart News source.  (The right-wing site started by the guy that hilariously hijacked the Anthony Weiner Sexting Press Conference.)

Glen Burkhardt, Penn State, Track/Field, 5,000m Run

Lexi Masterson, Penn State, Track/Field, Pole Vault

My repost of the Old School/New School High School Cross Country season generated both scorn and adulation.  We'll leave the scorn in a basement in Staten Island NY, but report that the award winning Once Upon a Time In the Vest blog is going to repost it to a wider audience.  George Brose identified with numerous items on the list and even provided proof I was correct all along.

Coach Tom Farrell of St. Johns with texting athlete. (Wut R U doin?)

I wish I had a photo of the 9th grade XC runner with the neck tattoo...

Artists conception.

Hillary Clinton's father did not play football for Penn State on a scholarship, but he did play sparingly for the Nittany Lions. He was a 1934 Letterman. (Of course, my "scholarship" was one pair of New Balance, or were they Brooks, shoes which hurt my feet and I never ran in. So who am I to complain?)

Nationalism seems to be taking hold of the Beer Mile craze.  With Australia and Canada setting recent World Records, can the USA make a comeback?  (Thanks to KKOB for the link.)

I'm "One Of Those" Treadmill Runners

Or, as Kelly O'Brien puts it, "One of their kind"!  hee hee hee  Thanks for the link, Kelly.

But there was once a time when I actually didn't even count miles done on a treadmill.  Now, almost all of my "miles" are done on a mechanical, spinning, electricity-sucking machine, my beloved Lifefitness 9500HR.  It's much better on my knees and will possibly allow me to keep doing something longer than otherwise.  Next up would be an elliptical machine matching a running stride as much as possible.  Or one of those Alter-G treadmills like PSU Track has just obtained because of the generous contributions from people in or influenced by members of our group.

The most I ever ran on a treadmill at one time was 20 miles at 9:00/mile in the Winter of 1996, getting ready for the Walt Disney World Marathon of 1997.  That was my last ever attempt at a race while actually training and being "in shape".  (I was all set for a 3:30 conquest of the 4 Theme Parks until I cramped up at the 17 mile mark and had to hobble home in just under 4:00.)

This Guy just set the World Record for Treadmill Running with 81.62 miles in 12 hours.  That's 8:48 per mile for 12 hours.  I'm not dismissing that, but that's a record that could have been trounced by many of us back in the day.  Does anyone agree?

He didn't even watch TV!

Fifth Place in Our Golf Tourney Brings No Shame Even When Dressed Inappropriately

Matt Groves, Drew Hardyk and the pajama-clad Kevin Kelly O'Brien.

The 5th place trio (+6) somehow managed to beat my foursome and Harry Smith's foursome with one golfer (Matt Groves) playing despite a stress fracture (and against doctor's order!) and another pseudo-golfer wearing pajama-bottoms made for a young boy.  The fact that the pajama bottoms were a big step up from last year's attire meant nobody raised a stink at all.  I hear next year Kelly O'Brien will be wearing something Corporal Klinger wore on the M*A*S*H set 30 years ago.  But that may just be a rumor.

Coach Hardyk must have played lights-out to attain the score he did, essentially a 77 by himself with 2 irritating caddies! (just kidding guys! I've taken a little flak for sounding a little cruel here. Sorry. Just having fun.)

Verified Photos and Video From "Day On The Bay II"

A fine day was apparently had by all.

You'll Poke Your Eye Out, Kid!

When I somehow linked the Steeplechase to Javelin Throwing in a previous post, I had no idea there was anyone practicing both of the disciplines.  Leave it to Kelly O'Brien to prove me wrong.  He received his javelin in the mail recently, and plans to try out the event in an upcoming Senior Meet.  He'll also return to the event that made him famous at PSU, the Steeplechase, after 30 years of avoiding the barriers and water-jump.

I have put a poll up on the left side-bar to place your bet on what will happen when combining these two events. (It's all in good fun.)