Old Man Running

Old Man Running I thought it might be fun to tell a few running stories to anyone out there who might find it interesting. - Ray Miller My name is Ray Miller. Enjoy your run!

I am currently cross country and track & field coach at Edmund Burke Academy in Waynesboro, Georgia. I started running on January 31, 1977. For some reason, I started tracking my miles, races and work-outs on that date. As of this morning, I've logged 28,717.2 miles and I've competed in 265 races including 10 marathons. I have some ideas about training and racing that might help older runners. Ple

ase feel free to follow my work-out schedules each day and don't hesitate to contact me if I can help/encourage you to become more active. I would also appreciate any comments or suggestions that you might have. I read a long time ago that the first step is the toughest.....that is the step out of your front door. So let's go....get up and at'em.

06/18/2026

From Ordinary Runners, Volume II. July 2019.
Today is Lori Springer day.
"For Someone, Somewhere!"
Lori describes her recovery from breast cancer. Here are her thoughts as she was finishing the Augusta Half-Marathon.
"I run because I am a survivor that has breath and life and have been given a second chance at life and being healthy. All the time knowing there is always someone somewhere that is in a battle and may need a smile."
Thanks Lori for your great story.
BTW: A couple of years later, Lori, Alex C. and I ran the Augusta Half Marathon. And no surprise, Lori beat me by about 25 minutes.
I hope y'all have a great day and get up and at'em and go for a run/walk. You'll be glad you did.........and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,

06/15/2026

From Ordinary Runners, Volume I. August 2017.
Today is Debbie Williams day.
"Lessons Learned from Running!"
Debbie was training for the Disney Half-Marathon with her daughter, Ashley P and friend Penny T.
Debbie admits that she is a bit older than those two, and a little bit slower.
One day, in our little, small town, a guy rode by in a golf cart and said something to Debbie that really hurt.
But she took the high road.
Debbie says, "That incident reminded me of how powerful words are. That can build you up or tear you down. I thank the Lord that I had more people in my life cheering me on as a runner than discouraging me!"
Powerful words Debbie, thanks for a great story.
BTW: Debbie, Ashley and Penny all finished the Disney Half-Marathon in February.
If you see someone struggling today, give them a little cheer. It will make both of you feel so much better.
I hope you take a few minutes today to get up and at'em and go for a run/walk.
You'll be glad you did..............and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,

06/12/2026

I'm sure most of you have read the latest article in Psychology of Sports and Exercise about smiling. That's right, they found that runners who smiled used less oxygen, ran more economically, and had a lower perceived rate of exertion than those who frowned. The article pointed out that if one smiles, one might improve one's 5K times by about 30 seconds.
One of the things we do on our morning runs is smile......and often just laugh out loud. I'm not sure if it makes us run faster, but it sure makes our morning runs a lot more fun.
So tomorrow morning, if you see us out running, if we are not smiling, feel free to toot your horn to remind us to cheer up. And just maybe if I smile more during my training, I'll end up with better finish line photos!!!!
Now are you ready to start your day with a smile? Then get up and at'em and go for that walk/run. You'll be glad you did..........and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads, (smiling I hope) See less

06/11/2026

Now for some race history from this Old Man Running!

5/17/25 - St. Francis Crusader 5K - Brunswick
5/18/86 – Atlanta Braves Stadium 5K – Atlanta
5/18/91 – Veteran's Memorial 10K – Augusta
5/18/13 – Garfield's Potty Run 5K – Garfield
5/18/24 – St. Francis Xavier 5K - Brunswick
5/19/79 – Vidalia Onion 10K – Vidalia
5/19/90 – Veterans 10K – Augusta
5/19/07 – Trees to Seas cc – Skidaway Island
5/19/18 – Fostering Bulloch 5K cc - Statesboro

A little note about runner's safety. With the warmer weather, some of us are out a little earlier. Please remember, if the sun is behind you, you can see that car coming toward you, but the driver might be blinded by the sunlight behind you. Give the car plenty of room.
BTW: Blinded by the Light sounds like a great title for a rock n roll song. Just saying!
Take some ME time today, you deserve it. Get up and at'em and go for a run/walk. You'll be glad you did...........and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,

06/10/2026

From Ordinary Runners, Volume I, today is Penny Tanner Day.
"Just an Ordinary Runner!"
August 2017
Penny discusses her training for the Disney Half-Marathon. As with so many stories, Penny had an injury while training for the half-marathon. But things worked out and she, and two of her friends were able to complete the half-marathon.
Penny reminds all of us;
"The journey is not always easy, but the end result is worth it. If you put your faith in God and trust your abilities, you can do anything!"
Thanks Penny and congratulations to you, Debbie and Ashley!
You don't have to train for a half-marathon, but I hope you take a few minutes today to get up and at'em and go for a run/walk. You'll be glad you did........and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,

06/08/2026

I believe it was the all-seeing, all knowing, sage and sooth sayer, that mysterious visitor from the Far East, Yarrellim, who said,
"I used to run like I had someplace to go..............now my miles are just happy and slow!"
When one checks his birth certificate and it starts with 194????? One can bet that his miles are going to be pretty slow. This old man running knows that one day he'll be an old man sitting but today is not that day!!!!!!!
I hope you will take a few minutes today and go for a run/walk. You'll be glad you did..............and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,

06/06/2026

From Ordinary Runners, Volume I, today is Tara Syms day.
"I Did It!"
Like so many of us, Tara didn't like running in high school. But as she grew a little older, some of her friends were runners and she decided to join in. Tara tells about the challenges of her first 5k, and then her decision to run the Augusta Half-Marathon
Tara has these words of encouragement.
"We don't know a lot about life or where it will take us, but I do know that if you put your mind to it and you want something bad enouch there is nothing that you can't do!"
BTW: I have a picture of Tara and a couple of friends at the Rock N Roll Half-Marathon in Savannah.
Thanks Tara!!
Today is a great day to take some of Tara's advice. Get up and at'em and go for a run/walk. You'll be glad you did........and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,

06/04/2026

From Ordinary Runners, Volume I; August 2017.
Today is Coach Laurie Ann Pitts day.
"Driving Toward the Front!"
Coach Pitts describes how her love for running started way back in high school. Sorry about the way back reference Laurie. LOL
Laurie was a record holder and a really good runner.
The last part of Laurie's story centers on a race in which she did not compete.
I won't spoil the story, but here are the last couple of sentences.
"The poison of regret had done it's damage. I live with the holes that it burned into me. I had let fear win. It would be the last time though!"
Wow.........powerful stuff Laurie. Thanks for your thoughts.
If you have a story and would like to be included in OR, Volume VII, email me a couple of paragraphs or a couple of pages. Send me a story and you get a book.
[email protected]
Take a few minutes today and go for a run/walk. You'll be glad you did...........and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,

06/02/2026

And now for a bit of racing history from this Old Man Running.

5/13/78 – Rose Festival 10K – Orangeburg, SC
5/13/89 - Glennville Onion Run 5K – Glennville
5/13/17 – Glennville Onion 1-mile fun run – Glennville
5/13/17 – Glennville Onion Run 5K - Glennville
5/14/88 – Glennville Onion Run 5K – Glennville
5/14/94 - Statesboro Soberfest 5K – Statesboro
5/15/04 – Trees to Seas 5K cc; Skidaway Island
5/16/09 – Buzzard Blast 5K– Louisville
5/16/26 – Game Changers Repeater 5K Challenge. - St. Simons Island
If you check your calendar, we are about five weeks away from July 4th. If you are going to be on St. Simons Island on the 4th, I hope you will consider joining us (the Golden Isles Track Club) for the 42nd Annual Sunshine Festival 5K and 1-mile fun run. This year we will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of America.
We are very pleased that our race has been designated the Georgia State 5K Championship race by the Road Runners Club of America.
Racers will have a choice of t-shirts or racing singlets, and we have well-earned finisher's medals as racers cross the finish line.
So get up and at'em and join us for the Sunshine Festival 5K and/0r the 1-mile fun run. You'll be glad you did...........and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,

06/01/2026

From Ordinary Runners, Volume I, August 2017.
Today is Zach Clifton day.
"Not Broken!"
In his story from his high school days, Zach talks about winning a region cross country championship at Southeast Bulloch High School. In April, of his senior year, an accident prevented Zach from running track. While taking time away from his sport, Zach grew stronger in his faith.
"I learned that no matter what happens, no matter how ugly the outcome is, God will never leave you."
I'm happy to say that Zach is healthy and has enjoyed the last nine years of running.
BTW: Zach is one of two people with a story in all six volumes of Ordinary Runners. The other is some guy named Ray. But Zach's stories are so much better!!!!!!!!
Thanks Zach!
I hope you will take some ME time today and go for a run/walk. You'll be glad you did..........and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,

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