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<span style="font-family:'Times New';"><b>1. Why do you run?</b></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">I have run since 1978. It was the trendy thing to do and God knows I wanted to be trendy. As trends do, this one gave out, but I just kept running. I missed a lot of running time through stupid training, including an x-ray showing 43 stress cracks in my lower legs, or mishaps, like a compound fracture of my foot. Sometimes family or life caused me lighten up on the running, but with 60 races of 20Km or longer I think I'd safely qualify as a runner. This one (shown here with my long time running buddy) says it all for me:</span><br><br><br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v705/jcumming/RunnersHigh.png" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><b>2. What is your greatest accomplishment?</b></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">As it applies to running...without a doubt...perseverance. In the very early 80's Dr George Sheehan, the running guru of the times told me personally that I looked like a football player or a hockey player ( both of which I was) and that I’d never be a runner over the long term. Runners were carrots or asparagus and I was an apple. This was his reply to my statement that one day I would qualify for and run the Boston Marathon. It became a very long term goal....over 20 years in fact. In April 2003 I stood at the starting line in Hopkinton and said right out loud, <span style="color:#FF0000;"><i><b>"Guess what Dr George...Who’s the runner now? I’m about to run the Boston Marathon...and you’re dead."</b></i></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">I said the perseverance applied to running, but in reality I think it pretty much applies to my life overall. My wife used to say that when I wanted something I was like a hound on a t-bone. I think it was a lovely compliment. I've done quite well in this life if I do say so myself.</span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">When it comes to life philosophy, I love the words of Rudyard Kipling:</span><br><br><i><b><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><span><b><i>"If you can meet with triumph and disaster.</i></b></span></span></b></i><br><i><b><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><span><b><i>And treat those two impostors just the same."</i></b></span></span></b></i><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">I think I have.</span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><b>3. What is your motto/theme song?</b></span><br><br><i><b><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><b><i>In the midst of winter I learned that inside me was an invincible summer</i></b></span></span></b></i><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">As for a song, Bruce Springsteen pretty well sums it up with <i>"Baby we were Born to Run"</i></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><b>4. How do you deal with bad runs?</b></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">When a run is good it feels incredible to do it and to have done it. When a run is bad is feels so incredibly good just to be finished. Either way...I win.</span><br><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><b>5. Do you reward yourself for good runs? How?</b></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">The best runs usually involve running with someone else. The reward is having their company with the winding down chat, a beer or a bite to eat that make it especially pleasing. Friends are a gift that you give to yourself.</span><br><br><br><b><span style="font-family:'Times New';">6. Who do you admire most?</span></b><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">My late wife, Sylvia will always be my hero. She had unbelievable depth of character and a positive spirit and attitude. For 15 years she dealt with a disease that was supposed to kill her in 3 years or less, not ever letting it get in the way of her life or the life of our family.. She gave a whole new meaning to being practical and positive. Ten minutes before she died I thought she was saying goodbye to me, but she was merely giving me a review before telling me how she was going to face the future. It was a wonderful way to live... and a wonderful way to die. I will love her forever.</span><br><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><b>7. What is the greatest advice you have ever received?</b></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">Never miss an opportunity to play and know that being child-like is not at all childish.</span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">Take your work seriously, but never take yourself too seriously. Remember you will never get out of this life alive.</span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">If you haven’t laughed out loud at least once since you’ve gotten up, you really haven’t met the potential of the day yet.</span><br><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><b>8. What do wish you had learned younger?</b></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">For a lot of years until my mid-teens I was painfully shy. I worked very hard at overcoming it...perhaps far too successfully <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">. I do wish I’d been able to start those lessons earlier.</span><br><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><b>9. What do you wish you could do but can't?</b></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">I wish I spoke French and wish I could play the piano. I’m thinking I may take up both.</span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">I tried music as a kid, but it interfered with sports. For some reason I had trouble reading music. I’m thinking my left-handed brain may be wired a bit differently for that. I might just give it a go once again.</span><br><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><b>10. How would your friends describe your personality?</b></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">Up for anything, kind and caring, absolutely dependable, fun-loving and always near the brink of insanity. (One who I asked said "the brink" was being way too kind). I can also be just a wee tiny bit sarcastic which I managed to control through 33 years of teaching kids, but now it’s escaping like flatulence from a horse on carrots.</span><br><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><b>11. What do you wear running? favorite outfit?</b></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">Outfit??...Outfit???...and to think I sell running "ensembles" <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">I wear the ever popular and classic "whatever". My only given is that I never use headphones when I run. I hate blocking out the really cool world that’s out there and I want to drink it all in.</span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><b>12. What has been your favorite race?</b></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">My nirvana was the <b><span style="color:#0000FF;">Boston Marathon</span></b>. Nuff said.</span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">After that I really enjoy the <span style="color:#FF0000;"><b><i>Boilermaker 15K</i></b></span> in Utica, NY in July...and it has nothing to do with the giant free beer bash at the finish</span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">....OK actually it does. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"></span><br><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><b>13. Do you have a goal race right now?</b></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">Apparently Grizzly, tigger and I are running the 2011 Boston Marathon so I better get my training started and get over my <i>anorexia <b>fat</b>osa</i>...3 years to a qualification race.</span><br><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><b>14. What makes you happy?</b></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">Livin’ Life Large...As it has been said, most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. I choose to be very happy. This comes through my kids, my friends, my home, my part-time job at the running store, my hot car, and especially, my monthly travels to spend time with a certain Georgia Peach who knows me pretty well...and loves me anyway.</span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><b>15. Tell us one interesting thing about you that you haven't said (at least not often) on this forum in the past.</b></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">Back in the mid 70's I went through a whole mass of competitions, tests and clearances to begin training as an air traffic controller, but at the end of the day, decided I really needed to continue being a teacher. It’s who I was.</span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">Oh yes, on the same theme I had an interview yesterday and, if I fooled them, I’m probably going to be going back into a school as either an Acting Principal or as a Vice-Principal/Mentor for an inexperienced Principal. Hi ho hi ho....it’s off to school I go...AGAIN. Do it over till you get it right I guess.</span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';"><b>16. Tell us one interesting thing about another user of this forum.</b></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">An anonymous PRT’er broke into my home, forced me to drink and left me wearing this shirt which may have given a hint of who it was. This is all speculation and nothing has been proven in a court of law or on Perez Hilton’s website. I was last heard saying, <b><i><span style="color:#008000;">"For my next drink I want some of that Minn-e-soda"</span></i></b> whatever that could mean.</span><br><br><br><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v705/jcumming/WI.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">There are a few doozies that, fortunately, will stay right inside me no matter how many adult beverages are involved.</span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New';">I used to be annoyed....now I'm merely amused <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"></span>
