Steve Spence article in Running Times (excellent read)

HRE wrote:

Steve,

Barry Magee told me that Lydiard used to have him do a 50km or two about 6 weeks before a marathon. It's not in any of the books other than a reference to a 40 mile race he and Bill Baillie once did.

Thanks for that info, Rich. Daws must have gotten the idea about 30 milers somehow through Lydiard. I know he spent a lot of time with him in Colorado, and maybe Arthur mentioned the value of a 30 mile or two. There wasn't much that Ron did in marathon training that didn't have some Lydiard component.

today i went to my univeristy library and I read some of Daws' book, "self made olympian". pretty good.

check out this daws pdf

http://lydiardfoundation.org/pdfs/RON_DAWS.pdf

Thanks for the great Daw link. Shame the piece can't be printed.

Those two dogs (yellow labs) were named Kashi & Sumi. They often showed up early in the cross country season for long runs in the hills around Chambersburg with the Ship cross country team. They would run with Spence...right at his heels and not leave his side, until Spence gave them the nod that they could "go ahead." The moment he yelled "heel" they were right back at his side. I often think of those dogs when I'm out running with my own dog now (a border collie/Aussie mix named Achilles) in the foothills of the Cascades. Also, any of the Ship alum will immediately recognize "duck pond" in the first picture of the article...lots of Ship runs left campus heading out that direction...near the duck pond and near "Orangey's" house. Good times...good, good times.Thanks for sharing the article.Fleck

Chambersburg runr, thanks for starting this thread and pointing out the article. Dave from Chicago, thanks for posting the links to the article. Wow, what a great piece...really hits the nail on the head when it comes to Spence. I posted a few thoughts about the article and about Spence on my Northwest Runner blog, if you're interest. Link is here: http://northwestultra.com/Thanks again for sharing.Fleck

dave from chicago wrote:

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=3126342http://runningtimes.coverleaf.com/runningtimes/200909/?pg=38

Fleck......well said in your blog...Well said!

I started my running my freshman year in HS in 92 at a school around Chambersburg. My HS coach ran at Ship in the late 80s (Hoovis, you'd know him, Hunsberger, very good runner at ship). I've heard some stories about those in the article, and some of those mentioned in the thread. You guys ran fast, and had a good time.

I didn't really know anything about steve at first, except that my coach would talk about how good he was all the time, and what a nice guy he is. I'd even see him around Chambersburg running, and thinking it was crazy some of the hills I'd see him on (which I would later run myself). It wasn't until I went to a few ship xc camps, and learned more about running, that I appreciated what a good runner steve is. Steve was always gracious, and would remember me at road races and such even after I graduated HS and college (same with Bob Walker too, another really, really nice guy).

I don't get to Chambersburg much anymore, but when I do, I always head out to south mountain for a run, on the AT, or some of the roads we'd run on at ship xc camp.

Anyway, steve is one of my running icons. The ship runners are very lucky to have him.

I have to admit that there was not one photo in the RT article that I recognized and cannot recall a duck pond. Maybe they put it in after I graduated in 1974? Where is it?

the old yeller...

http://www.juanjosemartinez.com.mx/steve_spence.html

the ship guys like men. Nothin wrong with that, just sayin.

Shut up, Laughlin.

good article but...the ship guys like men. Nothin wrong with that, just sayin.

I believe they stayed in Berkely Springs WV. It has some good trails, and also hot thermal springs.

growing up in chambersburg and running for the hs team in the late 90's I happened to get the opportunity to run with Spence several times up on the app trail, bear mnt area,caladonia, 2milers, just the most humble amazing guy ever, he also got me to set my sights on big things, i'd like to see the ship women win the crown in XC, that'd be something pretty awesome

Go Lady Raiders!