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Bob Kennedy

October 28, 2014 (Afternoon)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: One more day of heat. Then the plunge begins

Comments:
Read an article just now about Bob Kennedy. He was kinda the first pro track athlete that I was every exposed to as his career was winding down right as I was first getting into cross country/track and field. Also him being from Ohio didn't hurt matters. For those that need a refresher Bob Kennedy was the first white man (non-African if you're into the political correctness) to run the 5k in under 13. His PR is still faster than Galan Rupps.

Interesting fact: When I was a cockey asshole freshman (was far from the best on my team and had a PR of like 5 minutes) I told my coach I was going to break Bob Kennedy's 1600m Ohio state record of like 4:05 before I graduated. Naturally I failed misrebly at that.

The article I was reading talks about Kennedy's life post professional running. I had heard he'd bought an ownership stake in some running stores in Indiana but hadn't relly heard much about him. Apparently after DNF'ing his marathon debut in 2004 he completely quit running and gained like 50+ pounds. But he's been slowly getting mach into it now 10 years later and is going to run NYC this weekend. His goal is to run around 3.5 hours.

I know drawing comparisions between myself and Bob Kennedy may make me again look like a cokey asshole but I'll do it anyway. I felt like i really connected with the article. The transition from running to beat people, always caring about times and places and splits, to one of running for yourself, just to go out and do it has been hard for me. The spicific line I most identified with was when Kennedy said he was afraid of being slow. I feel very similar, as somehow if I were to race again I will be held to the same standards as I was when I trained 7 days a week for like 4 hours a day. It has definitly hindered my want to race and I still catch myself thinking about what I'm going to do when I get back ready to break my PR's.

It's weird becase even thought the point of this log is for me to kinda let go of those times and that level I was at I still sit here and think the it's possible for me to run a PR in a track distance. It's weird I don't really know if I've setteled yet.

Sorry this was really rambly and probaly doesn't make much sense. Lots of thoughts going through my head. Guess its a good atricle, made me think.

Run was dece. I've relaxed and found where I'm comfortable. Looking forward to getting a little bit of chill in the air so I can at least expirience some fall here and not just the two trips I've been on this last month.

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