Category Archives: cross country

Had Covid-19 hit in 1978, I don’t know what I’d have done

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

In August of 1978, I was returning as a senior to Luther College as both a Resident Assistant and Captain of the cross country team. That meant the latter part of August was largely spoken for as my schedule called … Continue reading →

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Seeing a young man off to college

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

With social occasions delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it was difficult for graduating high school seniors to find the right time to transition toward college or other plans beyond. As a result, the graduation party for a young man … Continue reading →

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An August afternoon with bikinis, sunshine and running

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

During the summer of 1974, anticipation for the fall cross country season was high. We’d done well the previous year in both the conference and district meet, and a core of seniors was returning to make it a fun and … Continue reading →

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Summer running, or not

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

After freshman year in high school cross country, I was set to begin training the summer before sophomore year when a big fat catcher from another baseball team dove on top of me when the third base coach sent me … Continue reading →

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Have you ever been underestimated?

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

When my son Evan was perhaps ten years old, he turned to me and said, “Dad, have you ever noticed that when people say “Good for you” they are often being condescending?” Yes, my son understood the meaning of condescension … Continue reading →

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A minute can last a lifetime

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

I had a nice conversation yesterday with Craig Virgin, one of America’s greatest distance runners whose 27:29 10K still ranks in the top ten all-time. He was also a three-time Olympian We talked about his book Virgin Territory, which I … Continue reading →

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In memory of Dave Bashaw, a sweet and talented guy

Posted on July 20, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

A friend of mine from long ago (and still today) sent me the obituary of a fellow runner from a nearby town. His name was Dave Bashaw. Dave was a talented and determined runner from Geneva High School. I competed … Continue reading →

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Add Chris Johnson to the prolific runner list

Posted on July 9, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

I’ve known the runner in that photo since approximately 1983. That’s when we both were racing consistently on the Chicago area runner’s circuit. On many a weekend in all sorts of seasons, we’d step to the line together and give … Continue reading →

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Scandal on the Great Western Trail

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

I did the unthinkable today. I wore shorts that exposed the white skin on my upper thighs. It didn’t used to work this way. As a young runner, back when running short fashions were high, my legs were tan from … Continue reading →

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No basket of regrets. Just buckets of fun.

Posted on June 29, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

The summer before my senior year in high school, I worked as a coach for the St. Charles Track Club, an organization originally managed by my coach cross country and track coach Trent Richards. When he stepped down a dedicated … Continue reading →

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