Tell me a great story of how you interacted with an Elite athlete, whether running, shopping, etc.

Back in high school I met NCAA champ Keith Kelly at a running camp. He was a really nice guy and even remembered me and the nickname he had given me two months later while he was doing Reebok sales at the Manhattan Invitational, so he was quite busy. He even gave me a free pair of socks! Then this summer I got the chance to run with Riley Masters from Maine (3:59.) I tried not to be obnoxious and ask too many questions but he asked me about myself and didn't mind the questions. Both extremely nice guys who know how to deal with awkward fans

Partied with Dave Edmunds(rock singer) at Seattle hotel while I was with Jansport for a Mt Rainer climb. Used to run with Dick Beardsley every once in awhile in college and afterwards. Used to work at Shorter's store in Boulder, lots in and out and while running. Lots of others, all nice.

Oh, I forgot one. One time on a bus I met Scott Norwood, former placekicker for the Buffalo Bills. I introduced myself as Lois Einhorn and started throwing playful punches at his head and missing each time, blurting out "oops, wide! Oops, wide!" with each flail. He didn't seem amused. Some of these pro athletes just have huge egos and are aloof.

Yo Tardville wrote:

Come on man. Name the chick, jeez.

Turin 2006. I really can't go blabbing any further. Never met her in person anyway but we still chat it up.

Got a call asking if I wanted to run ten on the trails with Dave Scott. He was in town for a local tri he always comes to, he was also in training to do Hawaii as a master. Well I certainly hopped on that chance, but didn't realize I was suppose to lead the run. I got there and asked where another guy (who knew the trail) was at, that was when I was informed I'd be leading the way. I gave it my best but made several errors along the way which caused us to hit some dead-ends and backtrack to find the trail. My buddy who ran with us started giving me some pretty good grief (informing me we'd be in a world of embarrassment if we got Dave Scott lost or hurt on the trails), but Scott was nice about it.

When we were being introduced to Dave, he noticed my friend had on Tinley sunglasses and goofed on him about it, that was kind of funny. My wife has met Dave a several times also but always calls him David Scott, why, I don't know.

I once met the most famous Alaska runner of all time - Sarah Palin while hunting moose in the outskirts of Wasilla. She does not like whole wheat bread. Only sourdough.

I once knew a prominent Australian male marathon, and ran for a team he coached. Though, once I took off my speed goggles and realized he didn't know what he was doing, I decided to quit his team. It must have hurt his ego, as he responded by screaming at the top of his lungs that I wasn't serious, and that I'd never be any good. Long story short, he now avoids me at all costs, and ignores me everytime we pass eachother on the trails.

I just smile and wave everytime. Maybe one day he'll grow up, or not.

the only one you guys might know:

I am ''friends'' with Andre Ramos, 4th at Boston in 1998. have run with him, eaten lunch with him.(and he wants to train me) He is a nice guy. :)

Back in '78 or so hockey great Rod Glibert and I put together a charity softball game between models from the Ford modeling agency and the Rangers.

I got the Ford folks onboard on board and Rod got the Rangers.

Long story short gather a bunch of these guys and gals to form a bar league softball team sponsored by the restaurant group I worked with. David Marshall who had a 6 year cup of coffee in the majors(SF Giants, NY Mets and the Padres) was also part of the company.

As best I can temember we lost ever game that season and had a blast.

The Profiles Bar team

Mgr wineturtle

3rd base coaches Matt Robinson and Richard Todd shared the duty-like they shared the QB job for the Jets

Ex-Jet Gerry Philbin coaching first.

The outfield Ron Dugay,left, Dave in center, a tall brunette whose bunny name was Rielly in left(she played CHSAA HS softball and might have been my most talented player), some tall modelly blonde gal in shortcenter, Nick Fotiu on first, Ron Greshner inthe hot corner, A former NYC HS DailyNews MVP at shortstop, yet another tall blond type at second, Donnie Murdock at catcher. The pitcher was a NYC cop who was at least 6'6' 260 and could hit a softball a mile (or as it's now know 1600 meters:() The Maloney brothers and a bunch of tall gals leading the cheerleading duties and acting as back up players.

I remember a time a bunch of us were dining at le Grande Orange's joint on third ave and a fan asking for autographs-he walked away with a menu signed by a pretty ecletic group Greshner, wineturtle,Philbin, Gilbert, Marshall and Danny Boy himself Rusty Staub.

To this day I wonder how that guy answers when someone looks at the autographs and asks, "Who the heck is this Tom Hyland guy?"

I walked into the Expo at the Boston Marathon with Bill Rodgers. He walked through the front door, like everyone else, just like he was there trying to get a jacket or pair of socks.

Man, way too many to post after 30 years of running. Some of the most memorable:

Have spoken to Dick Beardsley on many occasions. You would be hard pressed to find a more genuine, nicer human being.

A looong time ago, while a friend and I were out doing a hard 3.5 mile time trial, we "flew" by Alberto Salazar who was out jogging. That seemed so weird.

Toward the end of my usual 12 mile Sunday run one time, I got passed by and managed to hang on to Matt Tegenkamp for about 1.5 miles. Even managed a few breathless words. He was wearing track pants and a jacket. And jogging, while I was close to tempo pace.

Most recently, and maybe the best highlight was vacationing in Mammoth Lakes this spring. Met and ran with almost all the athletes there - Meb, Deena, Amy, Alistair, Scotty, Patrick Smyth, etc. and even Desiree who was in town visiting her friend and former ASU teammate Amy. Had lunch and dinner with Meb. The last day we were there, we were invited over to his house, where he handed me his silver medal from Athens and his winner's medal from NYC to look at and hold. That was too cool.

I have been lucky enough to meet and run with many elite runners over the years, and to a person, they have all been friendly, genuine and supportive. That is one of the great things about our sport, IMHO.

Dasanti wrote:

I walked into the Expo at the Boston Marathon with Bill Rodgers. He walked through the front door, like everyone else, just like he was there trying to get a jacket or pair of socks.

Did you expect him to rappel through the roof or something? Some of you people are such weirdos.

As for my story... I was vacationing in St. Barts with my family and since it was not the "on" season, there were very few tourists enjoying the beautiful island. We were at a fairly small resort and one of the only other families there had children the same age as ours. Naturally, they discovered each other and played each day on the beach, in the pool, etc. My wife and I enjoyed this couple's company and seemed to hit it off quite well. They were from the Czech Republic, but lived in Buffalo. The guy was very fit and I always worked out with him in the mornings. It wasn't until one of the last days that we discussed our jobs. I was going on about how bad catch-up was going to be when I got back and casually asked him what he did for a living. He said, "I am a goaltender." I was confused and tried to think of some sort of job that sounded like goaltender (his accent). Finally, I just asked him if he meant soccer. He said, "I play ice hockey for the Sabres."

I don't follow hockey, never have. I am from the South and have never really been exposed to it. This was before Google and Wikipedia, by the way. It wasn't until I got home and spoke to a friend that I realized how good this guy was. It was fvcking Dominik Hasek. He is arguably the best goaltender in NHL history. A total stud. MVP. Olympian. Future Hall of Famer. He was also very articulate for a Hockey guy, which is unique (or so I hear).

Anyway, we kept up for a few years and I started watching Hockey. Kind of cool.

I knew a guy that once got real excited because he took a dump in the stall next to Said Aouita who was also evacuating.

when I ran new york marathon in 05 we got tickets to letterman and were outside when a small commotion seemed to interrupt the waiting. It was Tergat who had just won the race and been on the previous letterman show. He was a good-looking well dressed man with a few handlers or family but he signed one of his business cards for me and quickly dissapeared in the city. My legs did'nt hurt for 45 min. after that!

Friend of mine found a flyer that said Billy Mills was coming to this Paiute Indian Center for kids place in the small town I was in for school. Me and 3 friends went, B&W posters in hand. We were the only white people there and after a great presentation in an old run-down gym the kids lined up to say thanks and get autographs from this guy who seems "famous." When we got up to him he found out we ran at the university and just talked to us for about 20 minutes. Kinda felt bad for the kids behind us. We mentioned that we might head to Sacramento for the Oly Trials and he said to stop by his house and he'd get lunch for us and show us his personal museum thing where he keeps his medal. I couldn't go but my 3 friends went and ate lunch with him a few months later, said it was sweet. He's a good dude though, great story teller.

I met Centrowitz early this year in Eugene. Had lunch with him at Burger King. He gave me his autograph.

I've been running since 1975 and coaching since 1981, so I've had many interactions. My favorite was bumping into Adrian Royle at the SF airport on my way to the Prefontaine meet in Eugene in the early 80's. Once in Eugene, I found out that the car rental company wouldn't rent to me (I was only 20 years old). Adrian told me that he could give me and the athlete I was coaching a ride. Some guy from Nike picked us (Adrian, Craig Masback, my athlete, and me) up at the airport and took us by a Nike office where Adrian and Craig got shoes, spikes, singlets, etc. while we waited patiently. After the meet, Adrian got me into the Nike party at Valley River Inn.

I met Lisa Koll at NXN nationals a year ago. I was awestruck at how beautiful she is. Couldn't resist asking her out despite the engagement ring on her finger. She waved that ring in my face, but I know she wanted what she saw.

In 8th grade i got to sit next to Kip Keino at a mile race in my hometown. I remember him having a ton of gold jewelry on his arms. Extremely nice guy, though i didn't ask for a picture with him nor his autograph. We talked about the race going on and a lap into the race he said to me 'they won't be breaking 4 today.' by god the winner ran 4:01.

Great story? Elite athlete? where are they? Jesus Christ i can't believe i just read all this boring shyte.