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Runners can hit wall with heat
By JOE SHAFRAN
I’m often asked if I run in the daily bake ovens, and I answer on the inside. My trainer Sky Canine, now the chief at Premier Health Club, in Annapolis, forbids me to run in this type weather and if I’m not on a treadmill in his gym, I’m in trouble. He says this weather we are having this week is an inversion, trapping every pollutant under the sun, which we breathe when we run on the outside. In my early days of running, there were no experts to restrain me and I still boast that I once ran when the heat index was 110.
Close, but no cigar. There was a $50 Strider’s gift certificate dangling out there for anyone who could break the one mile record of 4:21 at the John Wall Memorial last Saturday at the Broadneck High School Track. However no one did it. The fastest time was clocked by 22 year old Scott Koehler in 4:33. Not bad for running in an inversion. This is the unusual run that memorializes the late local runner, John Wall who achieved what many sprinters strive for and few get, to be a member of the U.S. Olympic Team. John Wall made it in the 30’s and some running experts say, it was Wall’s heavy breathing on the heels of his team mate, Jesse Owens, that spurred Owens to a gold medal. Having some very good back-up, the director of this race, Will Myers, did the mile himself in about 8 minutes or so. As for Myers, I suppose it’s now common knowledge that Myers is the former principal at Severna Park High School, and when school starts later this summer he will be the principal at South River where the Cherry Pit run is done.
And lets see what else went on at the John Wall mile. I am getting this from second hand reports and from the listing of the results on the Striders website. I wasn’t there last Saturday. I was at the White House to check on the Firs runneer. again the soldier from Operation Freedom who ran on two prosthesis. No one would say that the President, who is also into biking, is back into running, but he can suit up on occasion and do his seven minute training mile. The Walsers did the mile and I sense the age gap is being reduced.
Young Dave, 24, came in 30th and his father, Dave finished 42. John Curley, 57, of Annapolis finished 102nd in 7:06. News has been leaked that John Curley who is deputy leader of the 6:06 Club and who is reported to be the Recipient of a license to sweat given out by the City of Annapolis, whose Mayor Ellen Moyer insists this is not another money raising scheme in the City.
And there’s a woman in town who every time she sees me reminds that her daughter has accomplished much as a runner and sure enough, she did the John Wall. She’s Rita Grindle, 42, who came in 134th in 7:57.
RACE RESULTS
John Wall Mile
1. Scott Koehler, 22, 4:33.
2. Danny Bennett, 35, 4:45.
3. Chris Moody, 17, 4:50.
4. Stuart Pineo, 45, 4:05.
5. Chris Hart-Moynihan, 16,5:05.
6. Dr. Tom Hattar, 44., 5:00.
7. Eric Bates,27, 5:11.
8. Josh Dorsey, 24, 5:12.
9. John Gygax, 42, 5:15.
10. Jonathan Shoemaker, 37. 6:16.
First Overall Female: 41st. Sheryl Kline, 43, 5:43
Second Female (40-49): 57th. Jill Hargis 45, 5:58.
RUNNING CALENDAR
Saturday July 22: 7 a.m. The visitors center on Russell Street at Inner Harbor in Baltimore. An exploratory run of varied distances for those who want to run the half or full marathon in October. Call 410.605.9381.
Aug. 6: 8 a.m. at Anne Arundel Community College. Strider’s Dog Days 8K, Cross Country . Call Matt Mace at 410.647.2633.
Aug. 27: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Registration for the 31st Annapolis 10 mile run is closed but there is a need for volunteers of all sorts. Call Lisa, one of the race directors at 410.991.5703. They reward you with a souvenir shirt.
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