30 Years of Running History with Bernie Goldstein
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This entry is from Bernie Goldstein, one of the pioneers of running, and still running after 30 years.
I started running nearly 30 years ago. I was working in Augusta, Ga and had a demanding position that really kept me going all the time. When I got home in the evening I really didn’t have the energy or will power to do much. I did not live close to a YMCA.
A neighbor suggested I walk with him at a high school track. I did. It relaxed me and I felt as if I had renewed energy. Pretty soon I looked forwarded to my nightly walks. On the nights when the neighbor couldn’t walk I would attempt to jog. Pretty soon I was jogging a little.
I went to a running store and bought a good pair of shoes. I learned Gayle Barron was coming to town for a seminar and a 3 mile race. I signed up. Got some good pointers at the seminar. Endured the race.
Found out there were many races throughout Georgia at that time (the running circuit in Georgia was just beginning). Pretty soon I found I had more energy and was able to accomplish more at work and home and looked forward to races on the weekend where my times were improving.
Soon I started doing 10K and then after a while 1/2 marathons and then marathons. I still run–not as far and certainly not as fast. Today I do it both for health reasons and because it gets rid of stress. One is able to think better while running and to focus on situations that could not be solved as quickly with the modern interruptions (cell phones, pagers, ipods, blackberrys) we have now a days.
I’ve made some great friends throughout my running career and many times its a lot less expensive and certainly much more helpful to talk with them on a run than visiting a psychiatrist. Also, I’ve visited places I would not have visited had I not gone there for a run.
I have run on The Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal in India and the Pyramids in Egypt as well as at the Dead Sea and The Galapagos Islands among other places. Some places I have run were not safe to run in but I didn’t know any better at the time. Other places I have run were truly beautiful and I wouldn’t have seen otherwise unless I had been running.
Running has enriched my life in many ways by helping me have a better body, mind and appreication of my family, friends and the world and society and the planet.
Dear Chris,
I know you’re not a huge fan of mine, however, I still love you. I’ll still let you run on the Great Wall, around the Pyramids, or even where Darwin first thought of Evolution. It’s not a big deal to hate me, I’m used to it. Many people like you, who are making a living on what I provide often overlook the importance of me. Never mind polymer science, which continues to produce better and better running soles and probably more and more most Olympic track and field records. It has nothing to do with that right? By the way- What’s your mailing address so I can send you some Jesus sandals, try running in those like the Greeks used to do. Sure, you have every right to hate me…after all I am kind of annoying. Things like air-conditioning, oil, beer…geez…I wish I could just do away with all of them. Lastly, I realize I’m hard to understand which makes relationships with me difficult. I’ve tried to make friends, but everybody just wants to be cool and claim they’re a, “simple man” and make intelligent statements like, “I’m tired of all this science mumbo-jumbo…I wish things were simpler like back in the day.” I’m not sure what day they always refer to, maybe to the days when over half of the European population died from plague. If that’s what it takes to make friends in this day and age I could definitely arrange it. Just let me know. Hit me on my email, or blackberry, or facebook me. If I don’t reply right away just know that I’m a fairly busy guy. I’ll probably be taking a X-ray at a hospital and saving some lives there, or later on I might be in space hooking up a new satellite for better cell phone reception. You know me, always busy.
Love,
Science
Thank you Science for such the long comment. I’m surprised to hear you say you’re, “…a fairly busy guy.” I always thought you were female.
At any rate, I will not deny you have impacted my life somewhat positively; however, I would like to comment on all of the examples of how you have enriched my life…or not.
Great Wall and Pyramids: I would consider Engineering to have played more of a role in building these amazing structures. Engineering is derived from Math. Sorry Science, but I do love Math.
Darwin: While a very good theory, it is still just that; a theory. Assuming that this theory is true, how do I benefit from knowing that I may have evolved from some sort of primate? I already eat plenty of bananas.
Running Soles: There are questions about whether these new soles are right for humans running. There are many runners that have begun rejecting these Scientific soles and are going back to barefoot running, pretty much rejecting you Science. What are you going to do about it? Develop new feet? Sorry but I think that’s out of your realm.
Air-conditioning: I recently turned on my air-conditioning after 90+ degree days without it; only because I had out of town guests. It’s a comfort thing, I can survive without it Science.
Oil: You didn’t create it, the Earth did. You may have helped develop ways to use it, but honestly, I’d much prefer to walk everywhere. However, I have spent 15 months in a foreign country because of your Scientific refining of oil. Thanks Science, but I could have done without that trip.
Beer: I have never achieved anything from drinking beer. I also recently went a span of 30 days without drinking beer and found that my productivity improved. Again, I would stop drinking beer all together if it was socially acceptable.
X-ray: Thanks for radiation concerns, but I can tell you if I have a broken bone or not. I’m just that amazing.
Satellite: Never seen one. I’ll just take your word for it.
Like I said before Science, I’m still a fan of the scientific method. Maybe you can use it to figure out some of these theories and questions you still have. I’m all for learning.
I sent this communication via the comment page here because I try not use any of those communication devices you listed. However, you can hit me up on twitter: http://twitter.com/SeriousRunning or LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/chris-barber/9/66/343. What? You’re not on Twitter, Science? Looks who’s behind the times now!
Take the advice from the great Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Follow your heart and nothing else. And you can do this, oh baby, if you try, All I want for you son is to be satisfied, And be a simple, kind of man.” Thanks Science, but I’m satisfied.
Chris,
Ah, quite a smart reply, say, for a high school student. Attacking every individual point I make, but never personally adding anything new to defend your position. Well, I guess since I’m Science…and smart…I’ll have to bring my argument down to an understandable level of say, a high school student. So from now on, I will intentionally incorporate cool and nifty little quotes from neat bands to make my point…”I’m not a robot, without emotion.” That was from Styx. We all know the song, and how appropriate it is. You hurt my feelings when you said engineering and mathematics weren’t science. That’s like saying gasoline has nothing to do with oil. What category do they fall under then? Literature? When a person receives an undergraduate degree in Mathematics it is called a Bachelor of Science. I know this…because I’m science. Also, since I’m science, and pretty much see everything, I also know that you run in nice running shoes and drink your fair share of beers because I see your credit card bills. I’m Science, I see everything. Evolution? You’re right…it’s still just a theory, but so is Gravity, and that seemed to work out okay for everybody. Instead of trying to be the guy who wants to be known as “open-minded” and rebellious against technology (which is what I produce) just admit that you kind of like me. It’s okay to think like that. Every teen goes through phases of their lives where they want to rebel against something. However, rebelling against me is like rebelling against air, it’s all around you and keeping you alive. The world would be in a famine without biotechnology or crop science…or is that not science? Let’s find something new to rebel against. How about…uhm…water! Yeah! Water! Water sucks! What has water ever done for anybody except let us write songs like “I’m on a boat!”
P.S. I know you have a twitter account…I’m science, remember?
Tootles,
Science
Oh man, don’t get me started on water…
[…] how they conducted the test. The video actually makes Science pretty interesting. And you know how I feel about Science (scroll down in this link to the comments […]
I see Bernie every so often. He is fun to talk to. Way to go Bernie, good story.
He is great to talk to and such an inspiration! He is always so happy to be running!