July 13th, Wednesday, 11 p.m.

Today was a rest day after three solid days of work. The body feels good, but the day of rest is indicated at this time. Just being careful.

So with no workout to report,  I thought I would take this time to thank my friends and family who have voted for me in my silly quest to be chosen for the cover of an edition of Runner’s World. The contest asks each entrant to write in 200 words or less the story of a  moment that changed his or her running life. I have shared the story with many people over the years, and I am convinced that it was a truly life-changing moment for me.  I thought maybe the judges at Runner’s World might think so too, so I entered the contest.  I have recreated my 200 word story below.  If you would like to, you can vote daily. If you have voted, thank you.

I am contestant # 513.  The contest can be found just about anywhere under the heading Runner’s World Cover Contest.

Here is my story!

WHAT WAS YOUR BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT?

As a 15 year old freshman in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1958, I qualified for the 3/4 leg of my high school’s relay team to compete at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia. I never knew a track meet like the Penn Relays even existed. I ran 3/4 of a mile in front of 40,000 cheering fans in a trance. I had never seen or felt anything like it in my life, and I was totally hooked. I have spent the next 60 years in the world of track and field. As a runner in high school I became a state champion. As a scholarship athlete I ran for four years at Seton Hall University. I had a wonderful 35-year career coaching high school runners. Now, as a retired, reinvigorated runner, I write a blog called +70 Runner to share my experiences and knowledge with seniors. I achieved my 5-year goal of running a 5k in 25:00 and finished fourth in the National Senior Games at 1500m. That race in 1958 clearly changed my life and set me on a path that has filled my life with wonderful moments and wonderful relationships.