10 Questions: Tyler McCandless

1. What song immediately brings back memories of Penn State?

There are two songs.  One of my first memories with Tim Johnson, Dennis Pollow, and John Mahoney was driving back from workouts in Tim's car and I'd always play the song by Kid Rock, "Bawitdaba" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OrNS2zbTZg). I'm sure we were all sick of the song but it brings back good memories.  The second song is by Kevin Rudolf, "I Made It" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_7baOCYg-Q&ob=av2n).  I listened to this song on warm-up and cool-down at the NCAA Championships after earning All-American in the 10,000m.The lyrics "I used to dream about, the life I'm living now, I know that there's no doubt, I made it, I made it." resonated in me how I spent years dreaming of becoming an All-American and never giving up that goal.  Achieving it in the amazing Penn State program with Coach Sullivan was very special and I'll always remember the journey, which the song really describes!

2. What was your favorite PSU Class? 

My favorite class was probably a TV Meteorology class I took as a fifth year senior. It was only one credit but we spent an hour each week in front of the green screen.  It led to a weekly job on PCN as a weather recapper for the show Weather World. Here was one of my last episodes...http://www.twitvid.com/6DGQE

3. What was your best PSU Track or XC Performance? 

That's a really tough question.  My 5th year of track I had a string of great 10ks - Stanford, Big 10s, NCAA 1st Round, NCAA Championships.  I'd say that probably the Stanford 10,000m was my best performance.  I planned to stay in the pack and get pulled to a fast time, but the pace slowed down so I took charge a little past half-way.  After leading over a mile I was passed with 1k to go.  I made another strong move with 500 to go and held the lead until the last 200.  It was one of those races that I just felt like I was in the zone and competing the whole time.  That race put me #6 All-Time at PSU, which I feel is an even greater honor than earning All-American because of the rich tradition in distance running Penn State has had for many decades.

4. What is your best Coach Groves memory?

My favorite Coach Groves memory was after college.  I was doing a session of 400m repeats solo on the track.  He sees me do a couple reps and comes over and says, "Hey.  After watching you run...you clearly need to take ballet lessons.  Who knows if it'll make you a better runner, but it can't hurt trying to pick up chicks!!!!"  I've heard that he's said this to numerous people before and after me, but I'll never forget the way he said it with such sincerity.

5. What is your best Coach Alford-Sullivan memory?

There's a lot of special moments with Coach Sullivan.  When we earned the trip to the 2008 NCAA Championships in cross country that was an unbelievable moment in time.  The passion the 7 seniors on that team had, as well as Kyle Dawson and Vince McNally was un-rivaled. It was satisfying because Penn State had not been to the national championships in 13 years and Coach Sullivan really wanted to get us to Terra Haute.  The second moment was after the NCAA 1st Round in Greensboro, North Carolina.  The temperatures were well into the 80s with nearly 100% humidity.  I had to finish in the top 12 to make the NCAA Championships.  I felt awful early in the race, but came out of it around 5k and put myself in the top 12.  With a mile to go the lead pack was down to 11 and I heard a coach say, "stay on your feet and you get to Eugene." Coach Sullivan had told me to keep thinking of Eugene going into the race.  One goal and a one track mind.  I finished 5th comfortably, jogged over to Coach Sullivan and gave her a terribly sweaty hug and said, "one more to All-American."  It was special because I was absolutely on a mission that year and that was the moment that really made it happen. 

6. What was your least favorite workout? 

Very tough question because I generally like hard workouts.  However, I pretty much despise running V02 max intervals.  Getting on the indoor track and ripping out repeat 800s was never my favorite.  My least favorite day was when I told Coach it was going to be pouring rain and 35F at noon and we should have morning practice for long run.  She didn't believe the weatherman and had 2pm practice.  Pouring rain and 36F greeted us for a 15 mile long run.  I was frustrated and went out the door rolling.  Vince McNally and I were clipping off 6:00 miles from the start.  Our only conversation was what we had for breakfast and Vince informed me had only had peanut butter...which he ate out of the jar with a spoon.  Coach probably doesn't know we crushed the long run...unless she reads this!

7. What is your most embarrassing moment while attending Penn State? 

Most embarrassing moment would probably be actually after leaving Penn State.  This past summer I came back to PA and did two races in New York.  I flew into PA and my parents let me borrow a car, which I drove to Penn State.  I was staying in the dorms during the Penn State Track and Field High School Camp and went to drive my car on the 2nd to last day at 9pm and couldn't find the keys.  Absolutely no idea where they got to.  My parents had to drive half-way out to Penn State and Kara Milhouse let me borrow her car to drive halfway in the early morning hours to get the keys so I could drive to my race the following day.  I called it "pulling a Mahoney" because Mahoney would forget anything it was possible to lose.  Quite embarrassing to lose your parent's car keys at college though!

8. If you were going to massively cheat on your diet, what food would you choose?

Does beer count as a food?  If so it would probably be the Apricot Wheat at Otto's Pub and Brewery.  If beer doesn't count, then dark chocolate covered almonds would probably be it.

9. Has the transition to Colorado been as easy as you seem to have made it?

Yeah, it's been relatively easy for me. I've struggled initially with a new coach but have found that my coach Brad Hudson and I really work together. Fellow Penn State alum James Carney took me under his wings when I first moved out and really helped the transition.  I also adapted well to the altitude and workouts progressed better than expected.  I really enjoy road racing and it's a ton of fun, which makes competing much easier when you really love what you do.

10. Any chance of seeing you golf at next year’s Reunion?

I'd really love to.  If it's possible in my racing schedule I'd love to come to the Reunion.  I miss Penn State a lot because I had the best four years there and met so many great Penn Staters.

Found! Mark Hawkins and the PSU Track Alumni Singlet Photo! Best One Yet.

No comments necessary! (except you need orange shoes.)

Check-Ins From Our Expanding World

We've had many people check in with us recently, and I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge some of them.  Our world is getting bigger and bigger as we attempt to garner the interest of all 1,500 living members of the Penn State Track and Field and Cross Country universe.  That's second only to the living members of the Football Team.  So it is easily in our grasp to attain our goal of the largest and most active track alumni group in the world.

First up is the beautiful set of twins Ian McCann happens to be friends with.  Dog Friends are the best friends anyone could ask for.  Ian likely won't be able to attend our Reunion in May 2012, but sends his regards to Coach Groves and adds his dogs to our Dog Slide Show on the right sidebar.  Remember, I'm always looking for more dogs.  (The occasional cat and chicken has also made the grade.)  I failed to find out the dogs' names, but I will update them when available.  Update:  The dogs are Gizmo and Gnomes.  Welcome to the wonderful, wacky world of PSU Track Alumni Golf!

We also had a check-in from our friends at William and Mary.  State College native and WaM Track alum Brian Mount posed with fellow podiatrist and WaM Track alum Ira Meyers before the recent Rock-N-Roll Half Marathon in Philly.  That's them on the "Rocky" steps.  I'll attempt to get Brian to return for next year's golf outing and bring some WaM alums with him to join Coach Steve Walsh in attempting to get their name on the Harry Groves Memorial Cup.  I'm pretty sure it pleases Coach Groves immensely when William and Mary remembers him fondly.

Excellence is Our Middle Name

First up is visual confirmation that Mark Hawkins did in fact wear the PSU Trackl Alumni Singlet in his scintillating 5K run at the Great Race in Pittsburgh last weekend.  His 17:19 finish impresses everyone except him as he strives for even more.  (The answer may be orange shoes, Mark, orange shoes!)




Dr. Robert Hillman presented a talk on Speech Pathology as part of the PSU Distinguished Speakers Series on campus last weekend.  Dr. Hillman is a PSU Track/XC alum, former captain and roommate of Olympian Greg Fredericks back in Coach Groves' early tenure.  Whenever Greg has respect for someone, I, for one, take notice.  Greg has told me that chances of getting Dr. Hillman to come to the golf outing are low, as he is as dedicated to his work as anyone any of us knows.  I salute him, and still invite him to our reunion in May 2012, where I will personally put out the red carpet.  Dr. Hillman presents the finest example of the character building influence that PSU Track/XC instills in all of us.  Here's a little bit about Dr. Hillman's work...

Robert E. Hillman ’74, ’75 SPA

Robert E. Hillman, research director of the Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation at Massachusetts General Hospital, is widely recognized as one of the foremost clinical voice scientists in the world. His research has produced new tech­nologies, including an ambulatory monitoring and biofeedback system for treating voice disorders (featured on the National Geographic Channel show "The Incredible Human Machine") and the first voice neural prosthesis for laryngectomy patients (featured in Newsweek magazine). He currently is helping to lead a large multi-insti­tutional research effort to develop bio-implants that will restore voice and speech to patients whose vocal cords are damaged by trauma or disease.

Hillman also serves as an associate professor of surgery and health sciences and technology at Harvard-MIT and a professor of communication sciences and disorders and associate provost for research at Massachusetts General Hospi­tal Institute of Health Professions. He has won numerous professional awards for his research publications and accomplishments, is a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and is one of only six speech pathologists inducted into the American Laryngological Association. He received Penn State's Alumni Fellow Award in 2008 and will be awarded the Honors of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, that organization's highest award, at its annual meeting later this year.

Hillman received bachelor's and master's degrees in speech pathology and audiology from Penn State. While there, he was co-captain of the cross-country team and the re­cipient of the 1974 Ernest B. McCoy Award for the outstanding senior scholar-athlete. He also received a doctoral degree in speech science from Purdue University.

*Please excuse the formatting problems.  Blog engineers are busy trying to resolve the problem.

Two Lows and a High

First up on the downer front is the coming demise of the Tevatron in Batavia Illinois on Friday.  The Big Red Button will be pushed ending several decades worth of quantum experiments .  Scientists are scattering across the world as the particles cease to be smashed into each other in the 4 mile ring.  Our very own Ron Moore will continue his scientific exploits on a much smaller collider in the medical field in Beantown.  Good luck Ron.

Next on the downer front, at least among us out-of-shape hobby joggers, is the death of the inventor of the Doritos snack chip.  Rest in neon orange pieces...

And just to keep a little mirth in the blog, I include more incredible PSU Track Alumni racing news.  Mark Hawkins raced a PR in the Great Race 5K in Pittsburgh last week in a blazing 17:19!  I include the old photo of Mark sporting the Alumni singlet until a new one is found...

This Blog is Half Fuller

Not sure who actually took the photo, but it adds to the number of times I've had to mention one or more Fuller Bros, on the site!  (Fuller Bros. sounds like a great name for a company.)  Brian Fuller followed up his superb showing at the Rock-N-Roll Half Marathon in Philadelphia last week with a stroll down 5th Avenue in NY in 4:12!  The range is impressive, but the singularly scintillating selection of the Alumni Singlet adds just the right touch to be posted prominently on our humble blog.  Everyone note the orange shoes, another key element of PSU alumni excellence apparently.

Particles Get Faster as Women Get Slower*

In its infinite wisdom, the IAAF has ruled retroactively that women's records cannot be made in mixed races with men.  It has stricken the records of any mixed races, making the women's marathon record 5 minutes slower in the process.  Will it next rule that men's records cannot be set in mixed competition also?  Will my 1980 PR in the mile be stricken from the books?  (A pitiful 4:18 on PSU's track at an all-comer's meet while weaving through men, women, children and dogs if I remember correctly.)

At the same time. busy CERN scientists are reluctant to report that a particle has been observed to consistently travel at above the speed of light.  Since this is like kicking Einstein in the groin, they are asking others to replicate their experiments before trumpeting them.  I'll bet Albert wouldn't be too put off though.  I'll bet he was treated worse in elementary school than that!

*Women aren't actually slower.  In fact, they are much, much faster in my opinion.

Brian Fuller Rocks the Alumni Singlet in Philadelphia

When my day job allows, I plan on working on having another sale of Penn State Track Alumni Singlets originally brought to us by Dennis Pollow.  Since he has left State College, Dennis can't do the legwork on the next batch, for which there has been some clamoring.  I haven't decided on who I'm going to ask to help make arrangements.  If there are any volunteers in State College, let me know.  (Don't all rush to the internet at once guys...)

Brian Fuller, despite being gainfully employed full time, enjoyed a great run at the Philadelphia Half-Marathon this weekend.  His 1:07:10 is "a great time in a great city" as we always said when we lived there.  Tyler McCandless bounced back from his Hawaiian Marathon victory with a spirited 1:04:57 after just several weeks.  He says his secret is living good, but I found that not to work in the past, so there must be something else!  I don't think he sported an alumni singlet however.  We can't afford the professional fees involved with that!

Remember, fellow PSU Track alum (redacted) set the American Record at this race in the early 80's, so I suppose PSU is starting to develop a reputation at this race.  High Jumper Paul Souza and his Velveteen Playboys were slated to perform at last year's finish line (it's a Rock N Roll Race!), but had to cancel at the last minute.

Van Cortlandt Park

Cross Country Season cannot be complete without at least thinking about one of the most storied venues there is.  Not many courses have been as stable for as long as Van Cortlandt Park in NYC's The Bronx.  It combines easy access from NYC, New Jersey and Connecticut with actual trees and running paths suitable for a Championship Course.

I never got to run there, and I'll bet many PSU runners much better than I haven't either, as ICAAAA participation has come and gone over the years.  Those who have run there have respect for the course and reverence for the records.  The names of the "Hall of Fame" runners there is a Who's Who of American Running History.

I would love to hear some stories of Van Cortlandt  and maybe some comparisons to other great Cross Country courses.  Here's a photo tour of the famed 2.5 mile course. Did any of you ever run there?

Old Time Goodness Keeps Popping Up

I included these two top-notch photos not just because they show Greg Fredericks again, but because they show two great running venues And they show Greg again.  Seems people keep sending me photos of him.  Nobody has any photos of me...

Everyone recognizes the bricks of Franklin Field, but does anyone know the other venue in the cross country photo?  I may even dig up a prize again, since anonymous hasn't come forward to claim his Group t-shirt yet. I have run at Franklin Field, but never laced up the spikes at the other venue.  submit your entry in the comments below.

Even older on the time scale is this great way for all of us desk jockeys to get back in shape prior to the 11th Annual Coach Harry Groves Golf Tourney.   The best part is, I have apparently been wasting my time with the 10 minute miles I have been laboring over on my very expensive Health Club Style Treadmill. Apparently, I could spend less than 10 dollars and as little as 6 minutes a day for the equivalent of 2 miles of running daily.  Three minutes a mile!  The other 7 were all a communist plot or something...

Sickness, Malaise and, Oh Yeah, Cross Country

I was hit by a nasty bug early in the week, making this the most unimpressive period of time for the blog in quite awhile.  Although some may say the whole thing is unimpressive.  Whatever.  I managed to attend my daughter's first ever cross country race on Tuesday and was already feeling horrible.  Everything went downhill from there.  The meet was a quad-dual meet and was followed by another quad-duel meet on Thursday which I didn't make.  That's six duel meets in 48 hours for those keeping track.  They swept 4 of the meets and placed the first 4 in the two others, so her team is poised to repeat as State Champions.

Penn State teams had the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Meet today before heading off to the Roy Griak Invitational and Notre Dame in the coming weeks.   I'll report on those meets well after Jess has already informed you of the salient points, which is my usual literary style!  And that's before lower respiratory symptoms intervene and the subsequent OTC drugs muddle my already muddled brain.

The Streak was perpetuated, against all medical advice, despite fever, anorexia, dehydration, dolar and outright crabiness.  I'll be back in shape soon enough and I'm looking forward to a great season.

Random Thoughts From a Curmudgeon

1. Will there ever be a Reality Show that is scripted less than The Simpsons? (or more real for that matter.)
2. Will someone, someday get into a car, begin driving and not start getting on the phone?  (I was hit from behind at 30 mph by a texter in 2007 and have been flinching ever since.)
3. What am I doing wrong?  I waited an hour in my Ford after my daughter's first ever High School Cross Country Race(!) to take her home when I noticed the girl's race winner get into a BMW and drive off (ON HER CELL PHONE THE WHOLE TIME!).  Sorry to scream there.  Thank goodness that's off my chest...
4. Are Mondays getting worse for the rest of you too?  Or is it just me?
5. Does any Sports Team Owners tank games just to win their Fantasy League?  Or how else do you explain the Orioles?
6.  I just can't make myself  Tweet, even though I know it would enhance the exposure of the web site and attract additional attendees to the Reunion.
7. Homework seems to have quadrupled since I went to school. Or I missed quite a lot...
8. Anyone who is nice to you, but rude to the help is a very bad person. (As is anyone who consistently sends food back to the kitchen.)
9. I've been a Phillies fan since 1964, and I don't remember this many people being with me for almost that whole time...
10. Does it bother any of you, like it does me, that PSU is the most expensive State School in the nation?
11. Electronic Medical Records will end up being a huge disaster.  Trust me, I'm almost a doctor...