However he's viewed, his results speak for themselves: Two masters titles in the past four years, the P.S. masters course record to go along with a successful completion of a marathon in 2006.. All this amidst a string of injuries and illness, including Lymes disease and thyroid cancer.
The former high school valedictorian and graduate of Williams and Harvard is a private school teacher north of Boston. His wife and two sons will be joining him at this year's Patch Sprint.
For me the best part is to hike and run with and be inspired by so many generations of camp friends...from counselors of mine about 40 years ago to co-counselors of 30 years ago to campers of 20 years ago, all the way up to new acquaintances from recent summers and Patch Sprints. I find this race a great metaphor for life, for it is such a testament to enduring and enjoying. You see each person persevere at his or her own level, and it's reassuring that such perseverance is rewarded with a joyous gathering at the end. It's the only race I've done in which immediately after you've finished your time is meaningless---you are just a finisher, and winner,like everyone else.
WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING ROUTINE FOR THE RACE?
The usual routine of the aging athlete in denial: run for 2 weeks, tweak a hammy, rest, recover, run really hard for a week to make up for time lost, pull a muscle, rest, recover, and so on and so on.
FOR THE 2007 RACE, WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?
Make it to camp in time for the start; finish somewhere around last year's time; enjoy time with Carrie, Zach, and John for their first Sprint experience. Oh yeah, and don't vomit, cry, or lapse into hypothermia on Pok-O, all of which I've done in past years.
WHO DO YOU VIEW AS YOUR MAJOR COMPETITION IN TRYING TO REPEAT AS MASTERS CHAMPION?
Some year, perhaps this year, a real runner will decide to enter Mens Masters and blow the field away! Until then, I think whoever is healthiest among our usual crowd of old guys will be the favorite.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS ATTENDING THE PATCH SPRINT FOR THE FIRST TIME?
Don't follow Zim down Bare. Or Sato either. Don't follow Q anywhere. Don't be too proud to move from pink ribbon to pink ribbon on the back of Sugarloaf. Just keep moving forward. Enjoy old friends and make new ones.
With over 100 registrants (a pre-event record) both Patch Sprint
T-shirts, and accomodations are running out.
A supplemental shirt order may be possible, but very few beds remain at camp. If you are planning to attend, and stay at camp, please REGISTER ASAP.
Housing at Pok-O-MacCready costs $10 for one night or $20 for 2-3 nights. That fee is waived for those volunteering for the Sunday alumni work projects. (CLICK HERE for area lodging)
TREKKER 26 VOLUNTEERS
OPEN MALE 19 11
KINDER SPRINT 13
MENS MASTERS 9 FRIENDS/DONORS/
OPEN FEMALE 5 GUESTS/CHAPERONES
CLYDESDAL3 2 15
WOMENS MASTERS 1
* A FINAL NOTICE WITH FULL WEEKEND SCHEDULE
* LODGING ASSIGNMENTS
* THE 2007 DANNY SHERIDAN RACE PREDICTIONS