Henry Rono training for masters mile record.

Henry Rono wrote:

I don't want to talk about olympics.Couldn't you explain why I didn't run Olympics to people they don't understand.Even EL-Gurrouji sitting with me here in Feb.18,2005,he was also asking me questions as these kids basically.And looking up to me as his hero.but he wants to know,about this and that at the same time wants to break world records in 5k.

This is a common reaction at the world-class level. Henry Rono is a legend to the legends. World record holders and Olympic champions alike, they are in awe of Rono to this day. I think what they admire most is that his races were never scripted or planned - he ran with the unrestrained joy that we all have the capacity to feel. It's the way running should be.

To malmo,

Do you know why?And if you do, can you explain?And if you explain.What do you see in people faces? I learned one time when I explained people,they started feeling sorry for me.Another one say "Olympics sack,I feel sorry for you" every now and then explain all these and on and on.on.on...it seems like it never stop,"You should run for US." says one the people.

El-Gourroji's coach seems to have the impression of quests

You lost your opportunity for a punch of these and that!That is crazy!At the end of conversation,I was escort to my car."Is this your car?That is nice little green Toyota."we will call you let us take pictures and we are going to email you these pictures, see you thanks. I never saw them again.

You know what I do tell kids now days,I tell them,I have four Gold medals two in 1976 Montreal Canada,and two in 1980 Moscow.It ends the entire conversation,and they like it that way.They want me to have these medals.So they get them.

Henry

To malmo,

comeback with new ways of explaining the status of olympics and world records if you know.I don't know.All I know is running very fast and never get gold medals in Olympics the one I was running for.I get to go to post office,and I will be back.

Henry

Henry don't do that. (tell the non-informed types that you ran or have medals from Olympics in Montreal). You don't need to say that and open yourself up for major criticism. What you accomplished, stands alone, on its own. You simply say that 'your chance to run in the Olympics was taken away when Kenya boycotted the '76 and '80 games'....something that you had no control over. Don't let the uninformed of the world who want to think "Olympics or you're nothing" , type of mentality, bother you. Stand tall and proud on what you did accomplish and what you had control over.

"Henry was the greatest distance runner in the world a couple of times. These times did not coincide with Olympic Games, which, cruelly for some people, are once every 4 freekin years. So henry never won at the olympics, but he stunned the whole running world with 5 world records between Olympics. 5 times he ran faster than anyone else had ever run before. Do you understand that, kiddies?" :)

Henry Rono wrote:

To malmo,

comeback with new ways of explaining the status of olympics and world records if you know.I don't know.All I know is running very fast and never get gold medals in Olympics the one I was running for.I get to go to post office,and I will be back.

Henry

Oh shyt!

76 and 80 were boycotted. I AM losing my memory.

Please be kind.

"Henry was the greatest distance runner in the world a couple of times. He didn't get to go to the 76 and 80 Olympics because of politics. So Henry never won at the olympics, but he stunned the whole running world with 5 world records between Olympics. 5 times he ran faster than anyone else had ever run before. Do you understand that, kiddies?" :)

HENRY RONO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SO NICE TO SEE YOU posting and running! You still have such a great life ahead of you. Change the world Henry!!!!

Gerry and Henry on the same letsrun page! :)

I'm wondering, seeing as my memory is so obviously bad, who else in history held WRs at 3000m to 10000m, including 3000m steeple and 10000m? Quite a range.

What was your favourite event during those times, Henry?

I understand you didn't focus on 1500m / Mile, but what do you think you could have run in those events?

Skuji,

I didn't get to focus on 1500m right.Do you remember the ncaa indoor 1977 one mile between steve scott,wilson waigwa,and me.If I had continue after I beat scott that day and scott knows this well,I could have held 1500/mile too.Wilson waigwa won it I came second.My coach told I want half a point which is .5 right and to do that I have to beat steve scott right we looked up the scoring board and was only a half a ponit for WSU to beat El-Peso.

My coach pull me a side and gave me a stretagy,how to beat Steve.He say just place second that is it and we have it.

It went that way ask him.So the point if I could continue with mile run I could have held world record on that too. My coach announced that in WSU news that I can break world record from mile through marathon,you can find that paper in WSU 1977.

Henry.

To Skuji,

I didn't finished answering your question,I'm sorry. 1,500m 3:28 min,1 mile 3:45min,and you know the rest.The stretagiest to beat Steve Scott was a very smart plan,Caoch told me don't show up in front sit behind steve up to some laps I can't remember how man laps was,after that take off and you will come second,I know you can't get Waigwa because he is some where in the race and in the surprise everybody and win it.I was going to get before Steve Ovett,and Coe

Henry

To Gerry,

I think you are the one email me.What do you think of my website?I need to make alot of changes that could change the world right?

I feel good about myself talking about running feelings.It is the most important thing to know.I think so, unless I'm crazy.

Henry

Henry-

Do you know who "Gerry" is?

Henry, "Gerry" or "Gerrythejogger" is Gerry Lindgren. Like someone said earlier, you have some "near peers" on the message board, at least as occasional visitors.

Henry over a hurdle 1980

http://www.sporting-heroes.net/files_athletics/RONO_Henry_1980_GH_T.jpg

Henry on track August 02, 1978

http://www.sporting-heroes.net/files_athletics/RONO_Henry_19780802_GH_L.jpg

malmo wrote:

This is a common reaction at the world-class level. Henry Rono is a legend to the legends. World record holders and Olympic champions alike, they are in awe of Rono to this day. I think what they admire most is that his races were never scripted or planned - he ran with the unrestrained joy that we all have the capacity to feel. It's the way running should be.

Thanks, Malmo. That sounds about right.

Henry Rono wrote:

I didn't get to focus on 1500m right.Do you remember the ncaa indoor 1977 one mile between steve scott,wilson waigwa,and me..

That was after winning the 2 mile in 8:24 wasn't it?

Henry, the young bucks here have never seen a track as bad as Detroit's Cobo Hall. The experince was similar to running around a lumber yard!

In the course of Rono's illustrious career there have been a lot of scumbags who've taken advantage of him -- the agents, the promoters, the shoe company creeps, and more. He remembers them; they were smiling and glad-handing to his face, quick to shove a dagger in the back when he turned around. Henry, you have a safe harbor here, we are your brothers-in-sweat. You're motivating a new generation here as you shake the cobwebs off your aching body once more. You're reminding us old guys of the magic we saw almost 30 years ago.

Keep up the good work! Keep letting them know that even Superman experiences the same ups and downs that they do.

To just me.

Gerry Lingren went to WSU 1960, he broke the 5k world record in 1965,then he disppeared someplace in Hawaii,he even changed his name because he couldn't cope with public pressure. My coach from WSU would tell you that,now he is appearing in letsrun.com. This is him!

Who else?

Henry

To malmo,

You hit the nail again right on the nose.You are right,I ran two miles in 8:24.After 50 minutes like I told you earlier Coach pull me a side for the mile race.Pump!! and we won for the first time in history WSU to win NCAA indoor Championships."For just half a point you will do it my kid." said the coach.

Henry