Category Archives: cross country

50 Years of Running: A record that stands forever

In 1982 I’d won the inaugural Geneva Community Classic 10K in 32:36. That was the first race ever held on the Fox River Bike Trail. At that time, the path was so new that the last chunk of asphalt was … Continue reading

Posted in 10K, 5K, Christopher Cudworth, college, competition, cross country, race pace, racing peak, running, running shoes, training, We Run and Ride Every Day | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

50 Years of Running: Qualifying time

Coming off a less-than-stellar race like the one I had in Elgin, where a side stitch slowed me down, is tough on the short-term confidence. But while I was second-guessing the ten-mile race in Elgin, I heard that there was … Continue reading

Posted in 5K, anxiety, Christopher Cudworth, college, competition, cross country, PEAK EXPERIENCES, race pace, racing peak, running, track and field | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

50 Years of Running: In the company of legends

My association with my former coach Trent Richards grew in 1983 and ’84. We finished up his brochure for his new company One-On-One Fitness, and spent some time learning biomechanical analysis from his associate and podiatrist friend Dr. John Durkin. … Continue reading

Posted in Christopher Cudworth, cross country, injury, mental health, race pace, racing peak, running, running shoes, training | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

50 Years of Running: Unlimited

As the fall racing season wore down in 1983, I managed to race twice in November, a 32:08 10K on the 6th and a 32:26 10K in the Vertel’s Turkey Trot on November 20. The splits in that race indicated … Continue reading

Posted in cross country, fear, mental health, PEAK EXPERIENCES, race pace, racing peak, running, running shoes, training, training for a marathon | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

50 Years of Running: Time to fly

Heading into the month of September 1983, I looked at the schedule and planned a three-week period of quality training to prepare for races. First I drove up to Luther College to have a go during the Intrasquad race. “Gonna … Continue reading

Posted in 400 meter intervals, 400 workouts, 5K, Christopher Cudworth, competition, cross country | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

50 Years of Running: Summer reckoning

Reckoning: the action or process of calculating or estimating something. August in the City of Chicago is often literally and figuratively exhausting. That was particularly true because our apartment on the second floor faced Clark Street and Lincoln Park. With … Continue reading

Posted in 10K, 400 meter intervals, 400 workouts, Christopher Cudworth, college, cross country, Depression, God, it never gets easier you just go faster, race pace, running | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

50 Years of Running: Moving experiences

I felt kind of cheesy being back in the Chicago area after having been given a big sendoff party to hail my departure to Philadelphia just nine months before. Once back in town, I headed downtown to find the apartment … Continue reading

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50 Years of Running: Jacked around

Having moved everything I owned east to Philly the previous August, now I was faced with hauling everything back to Chicago the following May. Through a few quick conversations with a close friend living on the north side of the … Continue reading

Posted in 400 meter intervals, 400 workouts, addiction, Christopher Cudworth, cross country, death, fear, gay marriage, life and death, love, mental illness, race pace, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

50 Years of Running: A finish line not crossed

As the seasons changed from fall to winter, training in the dark night got hazardous. On December 12 I noted, “Cool, quite comfortable night. In bed at 10:00. Run went real well tonight with the exception of a fall, so … Continue reading

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50 Years of Running: Pirates in spirit

On a cold January night in 1982, one of my running buddies showed up to have a few beers, talk about training, and shoot the bull about life in general. But that evening, I had a surprise to share with … Continue reading

Posted in aging, aging is not for the weak of heart, alcohol, anxiety, competition, cross country, cycling, cycling the midwest, running | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment