Have you ever met an elite runner? What were they like?

My experience too. Average people with a unique talent. But they are normal people.

Maybe a bit too obsessive over their running but who is not...

I’m from New Mexico and getting old but I met Frank Shorter and Henry Rono. They were likable guys, who seemed normal. Henry made a big impact in our local running scene. I’ve also volunteered with Usada and got to chaperone a couple of the USA 800 meter team.

I actually ran against both Bruce Tulloh and his son Clive. I ran for Swindon, while Bruce was at Marlborough College, about half an hour away. We did some kind of relay race that was a benefit for British Orienteering, in which both Martin Hyman and Bruce Tulloh were involved. I don't remember the details as it's probably the best part of 45 years ago..

Greg Meyer Ambassador for the sport

Todd Williams aggressive racer would do anything for others

Brian Diemer still beloved and promoting the sport with passion

Lisa Larsen Weidenbach (racing name) a true champion that is still great for young kids

Desiree Linden horrible person that has no respect for others not a true Michigander

Dathan Ritzenhein was disappointed when he was with Salazar but has always been open and honest with me.

Grant Fisher the most humble person that is truly genuine. What you see is what you get.

I have interviewed all of them and this is strictly how they were toward me and the Michigan public

I met Desiree Linden at a Dbacks game one year.

She threw out the first pitch. I had on a bookstore IU Cross Country shirt and walked up to her to shake her hand.

She was very nice. I appreciated that.

Not so nice were the phone calls I used to get from these “ elite” runners asking me to comp their entry, when I was having to buy boxes of bananas out of my own pocket.

“Have met and know many. They are all skinny.”

This is one of the most surprising things to me when I’m around pros irl, how truly thin/tiny they are. Some you can tell on tv/pictures, but there are many that I think look more substantial in pictures, but nope, when I come across them in person they are like bird bones - both males and females.

I ran into Centro when he was still in high school outside a MaggieMoo’s in Severna Park, MD, I think after attending a track meet where my older brother and he had run. Turned out the shop was already closed. I vividly remember him complaining jokingly, “What’s a guy gotta do to get some ice cream around here!?” I kick myself to this day for not nabbing probably one of his first ever autographs lol.

A few notable ones:

Bob Kennedy - surprisingly talkative and humble.

Carl Lewis - the persona you would expect (“larger than life”) but friendly and attentive.

Suzy Favor (post her disasters) - calm and reflective.

Dawn Harper - super down to earth, great sense of humor.

Graham Blanks - funny and appreciative.

Jenny Simpson - One of the few I felt regarded herself pretty highly (but clearly entitled to) and also very bright.

Jim Ryun - A bit intense and quiet (can see where his competitive fire came from still), but nice enough given he’s about as right wing as they come.

Most others have been similar in my experience - one reason I like the sport, we aren’t yet at the point where the athletes- even the stars (save a few) - take their “celebrity” for granted or like an unwelcome yoke.

I met Kim Conley after two races. I walked up and asked for an autograph and we spoke for a minute or so. Very nice. Also met Molly Huddle by saying hi when she was starting a run - very nice but had to run.

I met many.

One quite remarkable was Eliud Kipchoge, with whom I had great and friendly conversations, particularly at one Olympic Village. Quiet, smart, knows how to listen and has a sharp sense of humor. Analyzes and processes everything when you talk. Really pays attention.

The other was Seb Coe. Had a few conversations as well. I tried to direct the talk to running, trying to impress him that I knew some of his remarkable performances with precision. He was quite uninterested, arrogant and the type of guy that will only be your friend if he sees as his equal. I was so disappointed as I always appreciated him as a runner.

One super cool that I've met was Asafa Powell. Super cool guy.

Bernard Lagat was pretty nice as well.

Matthew Centrowitz also left me with a nice impression, friendly person.

I met Centrowitz senior at Terre Haute one year during the division 1 championship out on the course, I walked up and repeated that Flotrack interview with him about, the tea leaves and his aunt ( I used to know it by heart, it’s been awhile)anyway, he grabbed my hand, crushed it and called some people over and had me repeat my discussion on his aunt and the tea leaves.

I ran with Meb in the 1:30 pace group when he ran the 2019 SJ rock n roll Half. super down to earth and chill guy, probably wouldnt think he was an olympian if you didnt know his background, he was that humble

Jim Ryun, when he was living in Santa Barbara along with his wife and child in a stroller.

Alam Webb outside church with his wife and child in a stroller.

Dave Moorcroft after he won the 1500m at the Commonwealth Games in 1978 running down the street.

A few friendly ones not mentioned yet:

- Drew Hunter: surprised by how down to earth he was despite getting such a big contract at 18 years old

- Elise Cranny: found her to be friendly and personable

- Mark Coogan: had beers with him a couple times through a friend. One time I mentioned I was training for my first marathon and he accidentally switched into coach mode giving me advice about pacing, fueling, etc. After a couple minutes he realized what he was doing and apologized if he was overstepping - but honestly, I was eating it up getting this from an Olympic marathon!

- Ian Dobson: not as well known as many other people mentioned but still an Olympian

- Nick Willis: met him through some Tracksmith events and always found him friendly and relatable

Some people mentioned runners not being as big of running geeks as you might think. My impression has been the opposite and that pro runners talked about running gossip even more than I would have expected

Nice. I'm an Aussie and actually sat next to Jeff Scheibler
on a plane flight from Japan to Vancouver back in 2002. He was very humble and
down to earth. I actually didn't know who he was at the time. During the flight
he talked about going to certain countries such as Sydney in 2000 for work etc.
It was me that brought up that I run Marathons which is when he smiled and
told me running was actually his job. This was near the end of the flight. He
was on his way to New York to run his first Marathon (Finished 11th). It took a lot to get out
of him that he was an elite runner so he definitely came across as a pretty
humble type of guy.

And Billy Mills. Amazing he was at our humble race. He was the starter.

That's a great one! Thanks.

many when i was younger;

tom wysocki, dave murphy, duncan mcdonald, craig virgin, benji durden, rudi chapa, mark conover (roommates x1 summer), alberto salazar, frank shorter, kenny moore, gary tuttle.

all stand up people. only one prick. can you guess who?