Henry Rono training for masters mile record. PART II

Just an observation, not directed at anyone in particular:

I have read this thread with interest from the beginning, because I was a college freshman when Henry went on his big spring world record tear, and because I met him briefly at a party in a Boulder apartment after a small indoor meet at CU in Janyaury 1982.

In the beginning, many posters assumed that because Henry was such a fantastic, all-time-great athlete, that he must know secrets to success that are beyond the knowledge of mere mortals. Perhaps many Americans wanted to believe that as one of the greatest African runners, Henry had some innate, mystical connection to the great truths about running that elude the scientists, physiologists and coaches.

Somewhere along the way, many posters began to feel that Henry had let them down or cheated them in some way, especially after they saw a photo of him overweight in a race in Cincinatti, as if the photographic evidence brought to them the truth they had been avoiding in their own minds, that Henry is an overweight, middle-aged man 25 years past his prime, who admittedly has struggled with alcohol problems in the past, and is trying to regain his health and a bit of the old competitive experience through an attempt at setting some masters records.

So now, we have the opposite situation from what we had at the beginning -- instead of feeling awe that Henry is a running god sent down to lead us mere mortals on the path of enlightenment through his mystical wisdom, the typical poster now believes Henry is incapable of achieving his goals without THEIR help; i.e. advice on diet, training, shoes, etc etc etc. Quite a reversal.

Henry has accepted the advice graciously, and has apparently put some of it to good use based on reports of recent weight loss.

Here's my point: We tend to diefy celebrities, in this case our running champions, and want to believe that they have some special wisdom that, were we to obtain it and act upon it, would propel us to stardom and glory. As it turns out, this is not the case. The record setters are blessed with great genes and determination. They may also have learned, or stumbled upon, through coaching or trial-and-error, the right training system for them. But to think that they have some magic beyond consistent hard work and self discipline is to believe that the Running Fairy is going to visit you tonight and sprinkle you with Magic Dust, and tomorrow you will run your 10 X 400m in 56 and next week you'll lap the field. We want believe that people like Henry have magic power because we hold out hope that our own hard work will be rewarded some day in ways wildly beyond our means.

This is degrading to Henry in 2 ways: First because people invested some of their own dreams in the hope that Henry would run a 4:30 mile or 15:00 5k after a few months training -- ridiculous notion -- and then became increasingly irritated when this did not come to pass soon enough for their attention spans. Second, because Henry is a mortal human being, not some superhuman running machine, so there is great courage in his struggle, win or lose, and so much more to be admired in the way he is fighting, through trial and error and some good advice, to regain his health and fitness and speed, and if we remember that he is a human being who has not taken very good care of his body over the last 20 years, we can begin to appreciate the true heroism of his daily trudge up the Albuquerque trails.

I know you are all well-intentioned, those who think of Henry as a god and those who see him as an overweight, self-deluded fool, and would all like to see him blaze again in glorious form. It may yet happen. But try to remember that, fast or slow, thin or fat, Henry is a human being, same as you or I, and that goes for all the other runners you worship one day and hypercriticise the next. They are just people like you and I. They have dreams, they make mistakes, and every once in a while one of them among us realizes greatness.

makes sense. Another example is Ryan Hall's recent American record for the 1/2 marathon. The next week, there must have been 25 threads regarding: Hall's secret's to success. What he eat, what time of day he ran, how far he ran, etc, etc....crazy stuff, as if he had all of a sudden discovered the secret to world class running.

I have also followed this thread from the begining and look forward to reading Henry's daily posts and am happy for him each time he reaches a new level with his weight and training.

I don't see how any one could be disappointed in his progress. As Jungleroy points out. Henry is a human that happens to have great genetics but even more important is dedicated to his cause and not afraid to do the hard work. Day by day, he is slowly erasing the ill effects caused by the last 20 years. To me Henry is an inspiration and I look forward to his realizing his dreams, however long that may take.

Henry, looking forward to your book. When is it due to be published?

I see Henry as a man who just likes the feel of the wind in his face when he runs. Perhaps you should too -- that is, see him that way, and secondly, enjoy the feel of the wind in your face.

malmo wrote:

I see Henry as a man who just likes the feel of the wind in his face when he runs. Perhaps you should too -- that is, see him that way, and secondly, enjoy the feel of the wind in your face.

Yes, thank you for the advice. But such pithy platitudes as just enjoy the feel of the wind in your face, while they seem to some people to convey great spiritual wisdom about living in the moment, actually seem to me to dumb down the complex and sometimes contradictory reasons why great athletes are driven to succeed. I guess my point in the above post, and one I think you'll agree with, is let Henry be Henry, and don't try to transpose your own beliefs over his or try to make too much of his sometimes mysterious statements which, to my ears, come more from language and cultural differences than from some wish on his part to be a guru or prophet.

And by the way, I don't need your advice about feeling the wind. You don't know me or anything about what motivates me. Just as I don't know what motivates Henry. But human beings are complex individuals, and it has saddened me to see some posters make Henry into a cardboard cut out of his poster from 1978. I know enough about human nature to assume he's neither god, saint or overweight imposter, but someone more complex, a man trying to live for the present and future, not just the past.

runtherockies wrote:

I have also followed this thread from the begining and look forward to reading Henry's daily posts and am happy for him each time he reaches a new level with his weight and training.

I don't see how any one could be disappointed in his progress. As Jungleroy points out. Henry is a human that happens to have great genetics but even more important is dedicated to his cause and not afraid to do the hard work. Day by day, he is slowly erasing the ill effects caused by the last 20 years. To me Henry is an inspiration and I look forward to his realizing his dreams, however long that may take.

Henry, looking forward to your book. When is it due to be published?

How is everybody doing? Are you all feeling good? I hope everyone is coming along well following these threads.Well with me, I'm doing great and I'm not hurting anything.

If I'm hurting anyone are the lazy ones. It is my job to get up and run.If I knew what I know now I could not be doing what I'm doing now.It was my stupid mistake as I was.Now I realize what was wrong,I'm more motivated to do so and thank God I'm still living.

By the way, my book still on process for two more months.I'm hoping by April 1,2007 will be well cook.It is sitting in the oven.

The 246 day of training phase II. 28mwp+93mhc+29mcd =150 minutes. I think that is it for this morning.I'm eating salads and drinking alot of water now my belly is making alot of noises for what reason,I don't know,perhaps I will go to bathroom in a minute to clean up the internal organs.I feel sleepy too.

Henry

jungleroy59

I know others like you. They don't really understand what this thread is all about. It's Henry's thread. Henry will train Henry's way regardless what us posters have to comment. Henry's goal is to see how fast he can get at this stage of his life. He has reduced his 5K time by over 3 minutes in less than a year. This is fantastic. I have been on my own "comeback" for almost 2 years and I have not brought my time down nearly that much. Henry does not respond to all posts here. He only responds to those that he wishes to. The other thing that Henry is trying to do is to motivate other runners by what they see in this thread. This he IS accomplishing. He is not doing this because he wants to feel important. He is doing this because he realizes that he LOVES RUNNING and has missed it in the past few years and he wants to share this with as many people as possible. Your analysis of the thread is really off of the mark. Running is simple. It is fun as long as you keep it simple. "the wind in your face" is a great way to look at it simply. If you run each day with the wind in your face you will see, hear, smell and touch many things and you will enjoy it.

forget about it...let's move on....

Henry Rono wrote:

How is everybody doing? Are you all feeling good? I hope everyone is coming along well following these threads. Well with me, I'm doing great and I'm not hurting anything.

Hey Henry! Thanks for asking!

I still love your posts and find it really inspiring that you are sharing your journey so openly with us. Quite a few times in the last couple of months I've been about to wimp out of a run because of the bad weather here, then I think, "Hey, Henry's been out...if he can do it, so can I", and I go out and have fun.

It was great seeing the respect that Nolan Shaheed has for you; when you two meet that is going to be some race!

It's really good that you are able to keep going day after day -- and keep this thread going as well. I am really looking forward to the book and to running with you in a 5k or a mile one day.

Braavo Furgi,

Thank God someone understands what I am up to.For sure,I'm not trying to feel important.I'm tring to improve my life and running was the key ticket to the running world from poor to riches out of Africa.

I have learned alot being a poor boy in my village to rich industry nation and rised up in 80days taste rich life,then went down to the bottom to the worst than where I started and I taste that too in the last 20 years.

All I want is to joint and come along with me,if you think I'm too slow or too fast please don't feel bad it is the only way I can entertain you by using my art of running.What else do you expect me to do? I can talk alot but, I'm not ready. Let my feet do the talking.

I will talk during sports coaching clinics in two weeks in Austin,Texas

Henry

Thanks Furgi

Henry

To Brit,

I was talking with the book company a while ago we trying to put it in press release very soon that the book is coming out in April 1,2007.

As soon as $2,000 are in the book company account, then they will put press release the following day.

Pictures are looking great and the manuscripts both are in one place.

I look forward running with you and Shaheed.

Thanks

Henry

jungleroy59 wrote:

And by the way, I don't need your advice about feeling the wind. You don't know me or anything about what motivates me.

Judging by your response, now I'm positive you need my advice. Smell the roses along the way, uhhh, feel the wind in your face. Pithy platitudes, or a code to live by? -- it all depends on your attitude. Good day.

malmo wrote:

jungleroy59 wrote:

And by the way, I don't need your advice about feeling the wind. You don't know me or anything about what motivates me.

Judging by your response, now I'm positive you need my advice. Smell the roses along the way, uhhh, feel the wind in your face. Pithy platitudes, or a code to live by? -- it all depends on your attitude. Good day.

what it all boils down to is this: did you ever clear the water pit entirely (at least one time) in a steeple chase event? Would typically only one foot get wet or in the course of the race would both feet get wet at some point? and lastly, did you lace, secure, wear a tighter racing spike in consideration of it getting wet and having your foot slide around in it?

this decides it.... wrote:

what it all boils down to is this: did you ever clear the water pit entirely (at least one time) in a steeple chase event? Would typically only one foot get wet or in the course of the race would both feet get wet at some point? and lastly, did you lace, secure, wear a tighter racing spike in consideration of it getting wet and having your foot slide around in it?

Slow it down for me. That one went right over my head.

Henry Rono wrote:

To Brit,

I was talking with the book company a while ago we trying to put it in press release very soon that the book is coming out in April 1,2007.

As soon as $2,000 are in the book company account, then they will put press release the following day.

Pictures are looking great and the manuscripts both are in one place.

I look forward running with you and Shaheed.

Thanks

Henry

Excellent news! Are they taking advance orders? Maybe that would help, too.

Henry - Awesome picture of you in the hills. You've made a pretty incredible amount of progress over the last 6 months and we're all rooting for you. I'd like to think some of the questions and criticisms here have provided pressure to keep you motivated, but that you retain a clear mind to listen to your body and avoid the great obstacle of injury. All the best going forward Henry. Clean pair of heels and the wind in your face.

Steve - You're a generous guy supplying shoes to Mr. Rono here and assisting him with his comeback. I'd be willing to help out seeing as the man is looking for two pair of new kicks. Is your email the best way to contact you?

Malmo, to begin with, this guy who is denouncing your advice is nuts. I think (but don't really know) is that he's pointing out how seriously you probably took your running in your heyday.

Letsrun is souring me on the running community. As an avid tennis player, I know they stick together. I don't know if I can say that about runners anymore after seeing some of the negativity some posts mysteriously produce.

I think I'm going to take some of your advice, that is to just run to "feel the wind in my face." I'm a calculating guy, and always thinking about my next race, paces etc... Certainly there is more out there for me than my own petty personal goals.

G'day

To Brit,

I will mention this to the book company authorhouse;however,you may as well contact them yourself.1-888-519-5121 Ext.5334 talk to Vid.

I spoke with him today about this that people are waiting for the book to come out,that way he can speed up the wheels.

Henry

sumorocks wrote:

Malmo, to begin with, this guy who is denouncing your advice is nuts. I think (but don't really know) is that he's pointing out how seriously you probably took your running in your heyday.

I don't think he's nuts at all. He's just temporarily forgotten what the running experience is about. PS. The cold wind blowing in my face today was wonderful.

Nothing wrong with thinking about your races and paces, but as Master Po says, "Grasshopper be Kung Fu, not think Kung Fu."