Friday, February 19, 2010

Joan Benoit Samuelson

I flew to Florida this morning to see my parents, who have rented a place for a month in Amelia Island, near Jacksonville. We drove to Neptune Beach to go to the Sun Dog Diner for lunch. We're about 10 feet from the entrance ... Joan Benoit Samuelson and a friend walk out.


I could not believe it. Honestly, I nearly fainted. I said something like, "Hi, Joan, is there any way I can get your autograph? You're one of my heroes." She's in town for a marathon in Jacksonville on Sunday, and we chatted for a few minutes. She told me that she, too, is considering Chicago this fall, as 2010 is the 25th anniversary of her setting the American record there in 2:21.21, a record that lasted 18 years.


I'm running tomorrow for the first time in 5 weeks. In 11 years, this is the worst injury I've had. Keep it in perspective: Samuelson got arthroscopic surgery 17 days before the 1984 trials.


Anyway, I'll write about this on my own blog soon, but I'm still kind of shocked that this happened, and I'd like to think of it as a positive omen -- not just for me, but for all of us heading out to Chicago in the fall.


Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dFgH_vDh6E


3 comments:

Chris Vames Sloane said...

That's awesome Dickson, definitely one of my heroes too!!

Karl D. said...

That's so cool. She is far and away the greatest female US distance runner ever. Great video too. Feel better soon buddy. Looking forward to some good runs once you're back.

Unknown said...

Hi Gang - I'm Dickson's Dad and bumping into Joan Benoit Samuelson was a true thrill. I remember watching her 1984 Olympic victory on TV while keeping an eye on a then 3 year old Dickson. Good luck to all of you with your training and racing in 2010. Hope to cheer you on in Chicago.