I Remember Who Shot JR!

The sign isn't on fire. We were just in a hurry to board the van for the long drive to Cour D'Alene for our Conference meet and didn't want to wait until the sun was at a different angle.

November 1, 1980.

Over four miles of racing amid the rolling hills of a golf course in Coeur D'Alene had my lungs and legs aching. But the finish line loomed just under one half mile down a grassy hill. My performance had been a good one. But only that. I needed to step it up this final stretch and...

"Wait a minute. That's not how I want to start this post. let's try again."

The fall of 1980 stands out as a remarkably wonderful time - one that I did not fully appreciate until it was long past.

Yeah, That's what I'm looking for."

Life was good. I liked my classes at Umpqua Community College. My social life took an upswing with new friends, including a girlfriend. I enjoyed my second season of college cross country.  But to be completely honest, I don't remember much about that season.

What the heck's up with that?

What I Recall About the Fall of 1980

Yes this was indeed the most riveting question facing our nation in 1980!

• Mt. St. Helens was still erupting.  We actually had a light coating of ash on our van after a race east of Portland.

• I took a cute girl to see “Xanadu.”  The movie was lame, but at least this girl liked me enough to stick around.

• And JR Ewing was shot by Kristin Shepard - his sister-in-law and ex-lover.

• Oh and, for the first time ever, I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up!

That Scholarship Would Not Be Wasted!

After spending a good portion of my summer painting classrooms, continued exposure to an inexplicable combination of latex paint fumes and colored chalk dust had me come to the realization that I wanted to be an elementary school teacher.

I also knew that my best chances of fulfilling that vision meant attending the finest teacher college in my state - the Oregon College of Education. Adding further motivation, this was a small four-year school around the same size as UCC - with a cross country and track team! This meant I could continue to live out my dream of running in college!

If I'd had a dime for every time this song came on the radio during that season, I would have easily paid for that year of college.

Which Brings Us Back to Cross Country!

All of that had me going into my sophomore year laser-focused on my junior year. Since small four-year colleges attended many of the same invitationals as community colleges, it wasn’t hard to pick out OCE's red and gray uniforms as well as pour over results to see where I'd place on their team.  After a few races, I finally gathered the courage to talk with one of OCE runners.  Turned out one of my better moves as this person was not only a nice guy who indeed became a teammate one year later, but he’s someone who’s still a good friend all these years later.

How can any runner not be inspired to near epic feats when wearing green and white striped shorts?

So, what about my season with UCC?

With my gaze firmly locked onto my future, I did not fully appreciate what I had going for me at that time. Although still a good distance from the top teams, we were definitely stronger than my freshman year. I know I held up my end of the bargain. - doing all that was asked of me without question. I don't recall any races that I would consider "bad." At the same time, there were not any races that I considered "great." Nothing where I could look back knowing I'd pushed myself to a personal best or to beat someone I considered more talented or where I overcame some challenge or obstacle - all of which occurred in every other cross country season. Which explains why I can't recall much about that season.

Which is a perfect segue way to the end of that Conference Meet in Coeur D'Alene

I had less than half a mile remaining. I needed to punch it up to end the season on a high note. But there were a number of gopher holes in the ankle-high grass we were running through. Whereas I've wouldn't have given that a second thought any other season, I eased up a bit, making certain that I didn't trip. I exercised a bit of caution, holding my pace back a bit.

An act epitomized that season.

The Regret Came Later

But not too much later. As part of my determined strategy to let nothing stand in the way of my goals, I also ended the romance with my girlfriend a few weeks after the season ended. Amazing young woman that she was, not much time passed before another dance partner took up her social calendar.

Around the start of my final Track season at UCC, I finally admitted to myself that I'd screwed up with her. I also realized, going into that season, that I really hadn't let myself enjoy my teammates as much as I should have - particularly since only one was now on the track team. Going back into a sport where I struggled, I also soon acknowledged that "good" season wasn't nearly as satisfying as a "strong" season and that I'd never have the chance to make up for that. By letting my focus remain fixed on the future, I failed to savor the moment.

The true lasting legacy of 1980!

Lesson I’ve Yet to Learn

I’d like to say I’m both older and wiser.  Truth is I’m only the former and still struggle with the latter.  Even now, as I look forward to retirement in a couple years, I have to remind myself to enjoy every moment my current life provides me.  

As a lesson, I make certain each day and each time I run to offer “thanks” that I do have that particular day. 

Upcoming 100th Post!

The next post on "Running with Rick" will be my 100th!  I want to thank everyone who has read and supported this site these past three years and ten months!  None of this would have happened without you!

You don't really know someone until you've spent over 17 hours sitting next to them on a school van.