MEET MYSTIC RUNNER BILL PETERS

Posted Friday, March 12, 2010

We all have our own unique reason and story to start and continue running. Mine began around 100 years ago when I was in high school in Green Bay, WI. I was in track for a few years, but never really trained or competed all that much. It was more of an excuse to hang out with friends after school, and try to get in shape for football. Then one summer evening when I was about 18, I went to a weekly fun run at a local park. Each week they would have 3 runs of various distances. The first run of the evening was 440 yards (before meters were invented). That went well, so I did the next run that evening which was 880 yards. Again, no big deal but it was more difficult to catch my breath afterwards. Having survived both of them (and not wanting to just stand around while the friend I drove with ran), I signed up for the 3 mile run to finish the evening. The days may be long in the summer, but I soon ran out of daylight. I don't remember my time (that was before coolrunning and the internet), but based on the amount of walking I did it had to be somewhere north of 40 minutes. I did not run again for another 20 years.

In 1999, I was working out at the Manchester YMCA and saw an ad for the "World's Largest Run". Every YMCA in the country was going to have a 5K race on the same day. Having been going to the gym for a few years, I figured I could do that and it would be fun to get the t-shirt (little did I know that one day I would start giving them away!). First I had to learn how to use the treadmill. I made it up to around 20 minutes before the race day. My time was just over 35 minutes for the 5K, including numerous walking/gasping breaks. I didn't run again for another 2 years.

My next (and last) attempt at running occurred in 2001. I was on the board of a local non-profit agency that held a 5K as a fundraiser (the Run for Shelter) in Manchester. To help support them (and avoid having to stand out in the road directing traffic) I signed up and did the race a little better than my previous 5K - a 33 minute PR! But even more important was the atmosphere and the people I met at the race. I saw flyers for other races, and soon was going to races almost every week. Before long I met many people and formed good friendships that continue to this day. I soon discovered many simple honest metaphors about running that can be applied to life in general. It is a very fair sport, with good healthy people, much more social than it appears from the outside, and full of camaraderie and support.

It took me a while to learn that if I did training runs, that it could make races even more enjoyable. Through increased training I expanded the distances that I could run - well beyond my wildest dreams back in 1980. It has taken me places and allowed me to meet many wonderful people. There are a lot of great little towns in New England! I am sure that the role that running plays in my life will continue to evolve. But, I will always be left with good memories, great friendships, and a strong appreciation and respect for anyone willing to try something new. Even if it takes a few attempts.

Enjoy the miles, and every turn in the road!

Bill Peters