Dynamic Duos: Generational Running

Gary and Mandy S

1998: Dad and the Kids Take on Boston

Gary writes: Of the hundreds of races that I have done over the past 35 years, the 1998 Boston Marathon is still my favorite, when I ran with my college-age son Ben and daughter Mandy, then a high school senior. It brought together those nearest to me with doing what I love...to run. Luckily, it was only the beginning, with my daughter Mandy and I now active members of the NY Flyers Club.

Monday, April 21st, 1998 was a glorious morning in Hopkinton. While I was officially qualified and entered, Ben and Mandy were running as bandits, a long-standing celebrated tradition of unofficial runners. Unlike the NYC Marathon, where those without official bibs are barred from getting near the starting line and are physically escorted off the course near the finish line, Boston bandits are celebrated. Politely asked to line up behind all official participants, these running loyalists and beginners are permitted to trek the entire course and ultimately cross the finish line, where they can fully delight in receiving both a medal and Boston’s famous Clam Chowder.

As a trio, we stood together at the back of the pack bubbling with anticipation. Much to our surprise and delight, beside us stood Peter Solomon, the new swimming coach at Middlebury College, where Mandy had been accepted to attend in the coming fall. Although an outstanding cross country runner in New Jersey, winning Bergen County and All State honors, Mandy’s sport of dedication was swimming, which she had pursued competitively since age 8.

Mandy writes: After 15 years of swimming and running upwards of 4 hours a day, I was bound for Middlebury, a choice based on seeking out a top education, Division III competitive swimming and running programs (DIII allows an athlete to play multiple sports), but one where I would enjoy every moment of the school, sports and those a part of it.  “You’re going to have the most unbelievable time.”  And so I did. But not without him in the stands not missing one swim (and briefly cross country) meet – despite the 4 hour drive each way even during the work week (and that stat just counts the time for home meets).

CRACK! The gun goes off and my feet start pumping. My friend Lauren by my side and we are running through the big scary streets of New York City. I feel big. I feel adult! For a 10 year old. And everyone around us is cheering for us – racing the Wall Street Run – a whole 3.14 miles weaving us through the tall downtown streets, landing us at the beautiful serene Battery Park. “How was it?” “Did you have fun?” Asks my dad, the man who never once blinked at the idea of us conquering Manhattan’s streets tonight. “I’m so proud of how far you went!” A mentor challenging me to try new adventurous things, but eager for me to enjoy the ride along the way.

BEEP!...2 minutes and 30 seconds later, I’m done with the 200 meter IM swim race, tears streaming down my face, hysterical to say the least. It was so much training and I’m tired. It's 4 years after racing the Wall Street Run, and I tried to swim my fastest, but I’ve failed…”But you swam the 2nd lap faster than any other time you ever had!” my father says. Slowly my breathing calms and my tears dry. It’s not the first time he’s helped me see the light with his insights, a trick I try to employ to this day with everything I do (and is particularly helpful with road races). In what otherwise has felt like an outright depleting moment, he points out the positive parts of my efforts. Sometimes you just have to search a little harder to see the good, but the good is right there. It helps to have a dad-economist, as he has joyfully taken down every split to have just the right thing to say when my spirits are down
My perpetual cheerleader.  Home in time to coach all my soccer/softball/basketball teams, attendance at EVERY swim and cross-country/track meet, and more…this is a man who lives for his family. Sports have undoubtedly brought me a sense of confidence growing up, scaling new heights, and adventures, but more than that, they have allowed one of my most prized friendships to blossom.

Gary writes: But on that day, Boston Marathon 1998, college for Mandy was still in the future and Boston was 26.2 miles to the east — 20 miles further than Mandy had ever run. The gun went off and we started off at a steady pace of eight minutes per mile, with Ben soon speeding ahead, as big brothers do! While I expected us to slow, it soon became wildly apparent that we were not going to run faster or slower – not today at least. Flat…up Heartbreak Hill…down to the finish – we never deviated more or less than 5 seconds from that eight minute pace. I had never run so steadily! Mandy just settled into a rhythm and never varied, an earned behavior from hours in the pool. Together, we finished the Boston Marathon in 3:30 – medals on our necks, chowder in hand, and happy grins on our faces.

2011: Dad and Daughter Take On NYC

Gary writes: Flash forward 13 years to 2011. With college long ago complete, which included 4 years of Division III swimming and All American Honors in butterfly, Mandy had settled in Manhattan, working for a small beauty/fashion/lifestyle PR firm in Soho. No time to swim, but she did enjoy the casual run in Central Park.

In the meantime, I just felt like runnin’….for the past 35 years, my tireless devotion to the sport has kept me young, happy and healthy. I have joyously completed over 70 marathons, including the NYC Marathon 34 times, and 6 Ironmen competitions. However, I had felt myself slipping and I needed a push and inspiration. There was too much lazy LSD (long slow distance) and not enough speed work. If you don’t use it, you lose it! And I was gradually slowing.

In the fall of 2010, I joined the NY Flyers, an organization I felt had a good mix of abilities, had tremendous support and spirit, and was based in Manhattan where I work. To reinvigorate my stride, I signed up for Toby’s Tuesday night Flyers speed workouts, which it turns out were just what I needed! His interval sets enabled me to race faster than I had for years. It helped that I was motivated to break some men's 60+ age-group NY Flyers records. In fact, I enjoyed it even more when my fellow runners Walt L, Francisco R, and Steve K broke several of these records again because it gave me incentive to push myself harder. I also welcomed the challenge and honor of helping our Flyers team score points in NYRR team races.

So it was with even greater pleasure in the summer of 2011 when Mandy announced she was eager to break her athletic spirit out of retirement and signed up for the NYC Marathon and the NY Flyers. In July, she joined me for the Tuesday night classes, and throughout the summer and fall, we ran several NYRR races, including two half marathons in October. I knew something had clicked for her when I could not keep up with her in these Tuesday workouts.

Mandy writes: So it is with unequivocal pleasure that we are reunited in New York City as teammates with the NY Flyers, where we spend our regular Tuesday nights catching up on the latest in life (while being pushed along the newest treacherous workout course by Toby and Joe) or Saturdays and Sundays hitting up the latest race in Central Park.  Our regular training runs resume whenever possible outside of this side by side - a time to reflect, unwind and enjoy each other.

Gary writes: On the morning of November 6th, we set out for Fort Wadsworth for the start of the NYC Marathon. With a better starting corral number, I wished Mandy well as she lined up near the back of the group. I thought constantly about her during the race and hoped that she was enjoying herself – something I believe and always told my kids was most important. A good time would just be a bonus. When I got to the First Avenue 17 mile mark, my wife Meg yelled from the crowd that Mandy was five minutes ahead of me and my tears welled with pride. She must have gone by me in Brooklyn near the 12 mile mark, but I never saw her pass. It was just the push I needed to speed up, figuring maybe I could catch her, but little did I know that she was pulling away from me. Mandy was repeating what she had done in 1998, only at a much faster pace. Instead of eight minutes per mile she was now consistently doing 7:20’s. She ran both halves of the marathon at about 1:37 and finished in 3:14. So much for needing Dad as a pacer.


Gary and Mandy
Striking a Pose after 2011 ING NYC Marathon

Mandy writes: “How was it?” I’ve enjoyed our ride the whole way.  “Did you have fun?”  The best time of my life.  “I’m so proud of how far you went.”  I’m grateful for our journey…now as teammates, running partners and friends.

Gary writes: Running is an important part of my life, but running with my family is heaven. My long stated goal is to run 50 NYC marathons, which means keeping at it until I am at least 79. I just read about a British man who completed a marathon at age 100, so there’s always the opportunity to extend my goals. Wouldn’t it be cool to run a marathon with my grandchildren?...

-Mandy S and Gary S