What are some of your PRs?
TM: Mostly I run marathons and my PR distances are surprisingly during a marathon. My 5k PR of 16:15 was the first half of my 32:40 10k PR. My half PR of 1:13:40 came as the first half of a 2:31:35 marathon I ran at age 49.
My best marathon of 2:30:58 was at age 44 (Remarkably unlike any time I could probably ever hope to run). I have run 29 marathons under 2:40 – all run as a master! I have run at least one marathon at every minute increment from 2:30 to 3:01. (Another similar number thing Terry and I share, but with mine being much slower – going from 2:55-3:30)
Why do you think that you are able to run so fast in the marathon when your 800 and mile times, while fine, came nowhere close to predicting you would run that fast at such a long distance?
TM: In High school we really had minimal coaching. Most of the coaches were football coaches. The running program was focused on speed workouts for the sprinters. The distance runners such as me were left on our own to jog as little or as much as we wanted on the track. No formal workouts or coaching was given. As a result, our team’s strategy never relied on the distance events. So I basically ran on my own and raced without any real guidance or direction.
What do you attribute your longevity in the sport to (at such unbelievable speeds)?
TM: I asked Norm Green (a runner who holds many American distance records) this same question. He said he picked his parents well!
I grew up in a blue-collar steel mill town. The people worked hard and took pride in their town. Sports became the outlet for our town’s pride and identity. Being the best in the state was a tradition and expected by those in the community. I carry that honor and pride with me even today. I also realize that not running from age 18 to 33 gave my body a good rest and my body is relatively new!
Upcoming goals?
TM: My goal presently is to get my marathon time back under 2:50. I will be defending my age group win at Boston this April. In July I will compete in the World Masters Marathon Championships (Sacramento). Along the way I will compete at some shorter distances in USATF master’s championship races.
