While we have Benji's attention tripping down memory lane, do you remember when we were in San Francisco at the SF Marathon middle of the 1980's - and we were talking with Tom Hartje from Nike about the Nike Sock Racer shoe. You had been wear-testing a pair. I wrote a review of the shoe for 'Marathon & Distance Runner' magazine in the UK. Believe it or not I've still got my original pair of yellow Nike Sock Racers.
I think Martyn Brewer and Katy Schilly (Laetsch) were with us too in SF.
Benji seems like a pretty good guy, but man, did he ever diss me many years ago. We had talked a few times over the previous years at BRR all-comer races because there was a well known US marathoner with the same last name and he thought maybe we were related.
Was at a 1/2 marathon in Greeley, CO where my financee was running among the top. After the race he was walking around handing out elite Bolder Boulder entries to people. Gave one to my financee and chatted her up for minute or two. Looked at me for a second and appeared to ponder before shaking his head in seeming disgust and walking away. Hey, I wasn't quite elite, but had been running sub 16s for 5k at altitude. A simple "how're you doing," would've been nice!
Anyway, it's good to see you racing again Benji.
I don't remember this incident. It could have happened, I just don't remember it. I do remember the half. I do remember having to recruit for the Bolder Bolder elite race (something I didn't enjoy). I may have shaken my head over thinking about my race (I didn't run that well as I remember). Who knows.
Of course I remember San Francisco. I ran like crap. I wonder what Hartje's doing these days. I can almost see his hand in the "Free". I thank Brewer was there but I'm not sure about Katy. Patty Catilono (sp?) was there I think.
Benji, it's cool. It was funny then and funny now. And perfectly understandable--you were just looking for the next elite victim and it wasn't me. Someday, maybe I'll reveal my identity and we'll have a beer & a laugh.
Well your revenge will be that fact that I'll be trying to remember you now until I get a brain cramp.
Tom Hartge (correct spelling) lives in NW Portland. Has been married for eight years or so to Liz and they have two kids. He still runs (just ran three hours at Chicago) and is still at nike. Best guy of all time.
Don't wrack your brain too hard. If you don't come up with anything within the next week or so, I'll start dropping hints. It WAS a long time ago, and I don't expect you'd remember.
Wow Katy Schilly, now thats a name from the past along with Linda Mclennon Begley, I wonder what those 2 chicas are doing to this day. Katy won a ton of high end races in the 80s inculding the now defunct Bonne Bell 10km in Atlanta Georgia in 84 I think it was .... It was my 2nd 10km ever and I was blown away by the hills since I lived in NW Florida at the time and out there a speed bump is a hill.....
Glenn Latimer wrote:
While we have Benji's attention tripping down memory lane, do you remember when we were in San Francisco at the SF Marathon middle of the 1980's - and we were talking with Tom Hartje from Nike about the Nike Sock Racer shoe. You had been wear-testing a pair. I wrote a review of the shoe for 'Marathon & Distance Runner' magazine in the UK. Believe it or not I've still got my original pair of yellow Nike Sock Racers.
I think Martyn Brewer and Katy Schilly (Laetsch) were with us too in SF.
It was 1984 - Martyn Brewer was 4th in 2:14:07 - don't remember what Katy ran. I used to represent all of them back then.
Are you kidding me? I'm sure Benji can't wait to play your hints game. Based on your posts here, I can see why you would have been "dissed".
Hey RobC, lighten up. This was supposed to be fun. but & i'm sure Benji isn't holdin' his breath for this.
Hey Benji, thought i'd chime in and say hello.
I ran with you some back in '89 in Boulder , took care of your cat's also a few times.
Made it back east and finally broke Niwot's curse, haven't been to Boulder in a while.
Coaching at the HS level (girls), 6th year at Bromfield in Harvard, Ma. Was fortunate enough to coach Ari Lambie for 4 years. Have a good young team in the developmental stage.
Say hey to Aimee and take care
Henry P.
Hey Henry,
Are you into duathlons?
Henry,
I meant are you still into duathlons.
Benji, although I didn't care for RobC's tone, he does have a point and I owe you an apology.
As a runner you are among the best U.S. marathoners of all time and you gave us a lot of inspiration in the early 80s.
When you did have time to talk you were very friendly--you didn't have take a few minutes to talk to others, but you did and I appreciate that.
Also, over the past 15-20 years you've stayed involved in the sport, and have continued to give back.
Finally, your presence on this board has been a bright spot--because things sometimes get pretty inane if not dismal at times.
Sorry for bringing that up. Best of luck with your races and everything else.
Don't worry about it. It did bother me that I might have dissed you way back, but your second post made realize you aren't holding a grudge.
Benji, this thread has without a doubt been very enjoyable and enlightening - thank you for your posts and insite. Having said that, if you could line up today with 10 guys of your era, who would you pick and over what distance?
I would like to try:
Rodgers
Meyer
Salazar
Beardsley
Bob Varsha (it would probably kill him)
Hodgie
Tabb
Virgin
Sandavol (he would probably still kick my butt)
and Kardong
over a half marathon. This might give me a chance to finally beat all these guys in one race; but I wouldn't want to bet on it. These are guys I would like to see again even if it was only a fun run.
There are others of course, but you did say 10.
benji durden, more like.........TYLER DURDEN.....heheheheheheh.....ahahahhaha.