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FLRC Newsletter - Aug 2003
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| Bill & Fred at Boilermaker |
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I ran right next to Bill Rodgers for the first 2 miles
(12:40'ish I believe). Within the first mile I figured I'd move ahead or
drop away but my ego temporarily took over and I decided I might as well
stay right next to him as that might be the only running press exposure
I'd ever get in my life if by chance television or newspapers took some
photos early on. The first marathon I ever viewed live was the NY City
marathon in either 1978 or 79. The company I was working for then
sponsored Rodgers in part. It was there on the side lines I saw the
legend pass by at 25 miles to later win the race. I was only an
occassional 8 mile per week jogger then. I recall his airborne step and
many commented how he looked so relaxed as though he was out for a
jog. In those days I thought running a marathon was insane and vowed it
would be something I'd never get involved with. Now with a combination of
25 trail and road marathons and countless other road races twenty five
years later there I was running along with Bill Rodgers at the 2003
Boilermaker. As the saying goes..."Hey,you never know".
--Fred Miller