What Would Pre Do?

Steve Prefontaine - putting Oregon on the map for long distance running!

I remember the day like it was just a

couple weeks ago.

Because it actually was just a couple weeks ago 

Early morning on June 22 - the final day of our Pacific Northwest vacation.  Cool, damp air lingered from the previous day’s rain as I ran along the sawdust paths of Pre’s Trail near Autzen Stadium in Eugene.  Although I appreciated the opportunity to be on what I considered “sacred ground,” my thoughts kept circling back to what’s been a less-than inspiring year of racing.

Call 2025 the “Year of Meh.”

A mental checklist confirmed those conclusions

• Red Flannel 10K.  Despite a snowstorm that didn’t happen and decent temps, I never reached the pace I’d wanted, leaving me with just an okay finish.

• St. Paddy’s Half Marathon.  Nice recovery from cold, stiff headwinds that slowed the first six miles.  Even better, nary a niggle from my IT band. Still, the overall pace again wasn’t quite what I’d wanted.

• Loop the Lake 8K.  The planets were in alignment that morning, awarding me my best time in this race in several years.  

• Eugene Half Marathon.  Everything went according to plan until my IT band flared up at Mile 11.

• Market-to-Market Relay.  Temps in the 80’s slowed my times - just as they did for everyone else.  

• Dam to Des Moines Half Marathon.  Tired legs and IT band teamed up for my worst race in several years.

Mix that all together and you come up with a glassful of "Meh."

There's an unwritten rule that every runner has to have at least one selfie taken at one of these signs.

True, no serious injuries that kept me out of any races.  But, outside of the 8K, nothing to write home about either. Having used June as a recovery month, 2025 is at the midpoint with the remainder of my racing calendar awaiting me.  

A sense of frustration lingers strongly here in Eugene where it's been less than two months since that disappointing half marathon.  Given where I’m running, I pose the obvious question.

“What would Pre do?”

For anyone unaware of Steve Prefontaine, he was the premiere long-distance runner for Oregon (and I'd argue our nation) in the early to mid-Seventies.  With an incredible talent matched only by his unrelenting determination, “Pre” developed a large and devoted following.  Before his untimely death in 1975, Pre’s exploits brought long distance running into greater prominence.

Pre’s Trail was established as the fulfillment of one of his wishes with its sawdust trails looping around the fields of Alton Baker Park, just across Canoe Canal from Autzen Stadium.

So, what would Pre do in my situation?

Everything I’ve read about him indicates that he’d fight through the IT band just as he fought through a number of injuries during his remarkable career.  I suspect he’d also imbibe in copious amounts of beer afterwards - as he also did after his races and workouts.

Never has sawdust looked so inspring!

However, Pre was in his mid-20’s and I’m approaching my mid-60’s.  I don’t like admitting my age, but I also acknowledge that it’s foolish to ignore it.  Last time I disregarded my IT band in a race, it translated into six weeks of recovery afterwards.

New question.

What would Pre Do If He Were My Age?

This raises an engaging hypothetical consideration.  Pre’s tragic passing had him miss the 1976 Olympics where he’d been expected to grab some hardware.  Had he remained with running - which I believe would have been the case - what full impact would he have made on long-distance running?  Would it have been similar to that of Caitlin Clark with women’s basketball?  Or would he simply have become a key ambassador to the sport? Questions that we, unfortunately, can only speculate.

Anyway, Pre would also be a man in his late 60’s if he was alive now.  That means he would have faced the challenges all runners experience with more trips around the sun along with considerable mileage on the body.  Although as strong willed as anyone, I believe Pre would have followed the guidance of a trusted trainer or sports doctor to address the core reasons for the IT band.  From there, he’d attack his training to correct whatever caused the problems.  

That’s something I can work with.

I’m not Pre - nor even worthy of clearing the mud from his Nikes.  I also prefer wine to beer.  But I can adopt that approach with the following:

1. Prioritize the IT Band.  Time to ratchet up my excises and stretches that strengthen my hips and glutes.  The stronger these muscles are, the stronger is my IT band.  I have the good fortune of working with highly skilled individuals.  Their efforts have limited issues with my hamstrings.  Together, we can do the same with the IT Band.

2. Focus On My Training.  June’s over.  July ends with the Bix 7 - Iowa’s largest race.  That means training for hills and heat during the next several weeks.

   
   

3. Prepare for the Future.  Once the calendar flips to August, my leg muscles will require not only speed work, but also longer runs in order to rise to the challenge presented by the 10-Mile Cap Pursuit in September and the Des Moines Half Marathon in October. I know that if I want to tackle that half without having to worry about that damned IT band, it’ll depend on what I do in the coming weeks.

   
   

4. Grow That Moustache! Although I'll incur the wrath of my wife, deep down I know that Pre wants me to grow back that moustache I had during my college years. Hey, I ran my best times ever when I had it. Can't let Pre down!

With that, I believe I'm ready for the rest of 2025!

What about you? Any thoughts on this or your year of running? Feel free to add them in the comments below or on Facebook.  By the way, we’re nearing 100 posts on "Running With Rick."  My thanks to everyone for reading this blog! 

Happy Fourth of July to Everyone!

A rather iconic site across Canoe Canal from Pre's Trail.