RUNNING AND LIFE

Bill Bowerman was truly an extra-ordinary man! Yet his name was hardly known to most runners until after his passing December 24, 1999, at the age of 88.  Of course elite runners already knew who he was.  He was the legendary coach from the University of Oregon who had trained the nemarkable Steve Prefontaine, plus 24 NCAA champions and 28 Olympians.  He was the man who put "jogging" into America's vocabulary.  He was arguably the best long distance running coach the United States has ever known.

Above all else he was an innovator.  He was constantly looking for new ways to improve running.  He was one of the first advocates of the hard-easy method of training.  He tried everything from the skin of fish to rattlesnakes to lighten the weight of shoes.  He used his wife's waffle iron to cook outsoles and to develop the shoes that would later turn Nike into a worldwide sports powerhouse.  Even though he would become a multi-millionaire, he sold his first hand-crafted running shoes for about $3.70 a pair! He made Eugene, Oregon "Track Capital Of The U.S.", so that it still hosts major national and Olympic trials meets.

Following his death on Christmas Eve, there have been many tributes written to his 24 years as head track coach; and, more importantly, to what he has meant to running in America. Recently Nike has honored him with a complete line of running shoes, which they claim is the best they have ever produced.  This line of shoes will bear the name and the cameo likeness of Bill Bowerman.

There is another thing, however, that has touched me more deeply about this man's life; and that is his compassionate concern for his students apart from running.  He wanted his runners to have good lives.  This is reflected in his now-famous speech to freshman runners, where he said something like this, "If you can solve the problems of running, you can solve the much greater problem: the problem of life." I have become increasingly aware of how true this is.

Running relates to life.  A number of runners have shared with me in recent months how much better other parts of their lives became after they started running.  Also how the lessons they learned in running carried over into other areas as well.  They said they had applied these lessons at home and at work.  It is simply true that the virtues of good running are the virtues of a good life.  Let me share some examples with you:

1. PATIENCE: You are forced to learn this expecially in times of recovery.  You recognize that goals are attained one short step at a time, both in running and in life.

2. ENDURANCE: This is one of our greatest lessons in running.  We train to make it better.  We know that we cannot succeed without it.  It relates to what I call "tough-mindedness".

3. DETERMINATION TO FINISH: We learn that our greatest disappointments are not connected with losing; but with quitting.  Our most depressing times are when we have given up.  This makes us determined to finish anything that we start; and this serves us well in life as well.

4. FACING ADVERSITY: How do you react when things go bad? When conditions are less than favorable? When you are really discouraged? How you respond in trying times will largely determine between success and failure in anything you do.

5. THIS IS YOUR PART: When you could add a dozen other lessons you have learned in running which have helped you in life.  Don't neglect to make your own mental list.

Please understand that the results are not automatic.  You may run fast and not become a better person at all; BUT THE POTENTIAL IS THERE.  These principles are like having a good bar of soap they won't mean much until they are properly applied.  Even so, running can help you to be healthier and happier than you have ever been.  It can have wonderful carry-over effects into every area of your life; but the results will ultimately be what you make them.  In that endeavor, I wish you well!