In August of 1998 I reached out to one of the brightest young ladies in American Middle Distance running. Elva Dryer had won the 1997 Road 5K National Champs (15:29) and the 1998 Indoor 3K Championships. She had also run a nice 33:10 at the ’98 Women’s 10K National Championships. I was crafting my field for the 4th annual Run For The Arts 10K slated for Jan. 2, 1999. The RFTA had a rich history of Fast Times for women, based on my being the head of the Women’s Athlete Development Program for Women’s LDR. In 1998 the top 10 women were under 36:00! Now you might understand why I’m not impressed with 99.99% of the local performances. My measuring stick is just calibrated a little differently than most and that makes me either respected or reviled.
Worth noting here that the men’s race in 1999 featured Dutch 5K (13:13) & 10K (27:26) National Record Holder Kamiel Maase. Also in the field was USA Track 10K and Road 10 Mile National Champ Mike Mykytok and my old Olympian buddy Sean Wade. Kamiel would best the field in 29:09. And in 2007 he would run 2:08 at the Rotterdam Marathon. Wow. This was typical for a Run For The Arts field.
Back to Elva. She agreed to come to Lake Jackson on two conditions. 1) I spring for a ticket for her husband Russ. 2) I have fresh roasted coffee beans in their hotel room. Done and done. She would beat the women’s field in a new course record and personal best of 32:54. Double wow.
Elva would join me on the Women’s LDR Executive Committee in 2004, her perspective and energy brought many fresh insights. We remain friends to this day.
It is with that background that I am wishing Elva, now 42, a Great Race and Victory at this weekend’s Twin Cities Marathon, our USA Masters National Championships. I have a feeling Virginia agreed to bring in Russ and get the fresh roasted coffee beans.
Finally, best wishes to the DC West Falcons as they take on Logan View for Homecoming, should be a clash for the ages.
Real Studette! My Run For The Arts also hosted the Houston Area Road Runners Association (HARRA) Championships for 10K. The fastest 10K in Texas. If you’ve got a moment read my race report for the incredible race details.
Voted one of Houston’s Top 10 races by the Houston Chronicle! That and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee in Omaha.
We finally have our first chickens! Three little chicks, here Alli & Katie hold Salt and Peppa. Bock bock bock, I’m not a chicken!
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