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.

06/04/2026

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,

05/31/2026

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

5/7/83 – GSU 10,000 – GSU
5/7/84 – Statesboro Soberfest 5K – Statesboro
5/7/11 – Buzzard Blast 5K- Louisville
5/8/10 – Buzzard Blast 5K - Louisville
5/9/87 – Statesboro Soberfest 5K – Statesboro
5/9/92 – Statesboro Soberfest 5K – Statesboro
5/10/25 - Thrive Fitness - (virtual 5K) – Sylvania
5/11/91 – Statesboro Soberfest 5K - Statesboro
5/12/79 – Street Skedaddle 10K – Augusta
5/12/90 – Soberfest 1 mile fun run with Leslie L. - Statesboro
5/12/90 - Soberfest 5K – Stateboro
5/12/12 – Buzzard Blast 5K - Louisville
Look at May 12, 1979. That was one of the coolest names for a race. Street Skedaddle. And, dog-gone it, I don't have that t-shirt.
It looks like we're in for a rainy Sunday afternoon. If you want to get up and at'em and go for that run/walk..........it looks like a treadmill kind of day.
But do something, you'll be glad you did..........and so will I.
I'll see ya on the wet roads,

05/30/2026

Today is Joyce Hodges-Hite day from Ordinary Runners, Volume I.
"A Few Snippets for a Long Running Career!"
August 2017
In 2017, Joyce talks about running for 38 years. If you are keeping score, in 2026, that's 47 years.
Joyce remembers, "But probably my biggest personal achievement was my hundredth marathon at Tybee Island. The reception I got as I ran by the finish line, and the party afterward with all of my family and friends who chose to help me celebrate, are some of my fondest memories!"
BTW: I didn't run the marathon that morning, but I was at the finish line to help Joyce celebrate her 100th marathon.
And she is still running.
Thanks Joyce!!
I would love to include your favorite running story in Ordinary Runners, Volume VII. Send me a couple of paragraphs or a couple of pages to:
[email protected]
If you send me a story...........you get a book.
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,

05/28/2026

Now for some running history from this Old Man Running.

5/2/92- - GSU Blue/White 5K – GSU
5/2/09 – Knotty Pine Tree Festival 5K – Swainsboro
5/2/26 – Risley MS Wildcat 5K - Brunswick
5/3/80 – GSU 10,000 – GSU
5/3/14 – Super Eagle Day 5K – Millen
5/4/19 – Run with the Angels 5K – with Dee Dee – Pompano Beach, Fla
5/5/79 – Gum Swamp Stomp 1 mile fun run with Michelle - Cochran
5/5/90 - Barnwell 10K – Barnwell SC
5/6/78 – Vidalia Onion Run 10K – Vidalia
5/6/2000 – Knotty Pine Festival 5K – Swainsboro

If you are reading this, I'm sure you have some favorite races. Would you like your favorite race included in Ordinary Runners, Volume VII? It's simple.
Email me your story, a couple of paragraphs or a couple of pages, and you are in. And, if that wasn't enough, if you send me a story, you get a limited-edition copy of the book.
Take a few minutes and join the fun and send me your story:
[email protected]
If you don't have a story, today would be a great day to get up and at'em and go for a run/walk and create a story.
You'll be glad you did..........and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,
BTW: I have a t-shirt with one rule about your contribution;
"We don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!"

05/27/2026

From Ordinary Runners, Volume I, today is Ashlie McClellan day.
August 2017
"How I Developed My Love for Running!"
Ashlie describes how she hated running in high school. But as she entered her thirties, she and husband Ray and children Addie and Tucker moved out to a quiet place in the country.
After some encouragement from her friends, Ashlie started running.
She then tells us about Addie's first elementary school cross country race at Magnolia Springs State Park.
Seeing Addie finish that race was a feeling that Ashlie will never forget.
"I love seeing my children work hard at something it took me thirty years to accomplish. Running brings us together and makes us closer as a family."
Thanks, Ashlie, for being part of this fun project.
BTW: Ashlie's little girl Addie, just graduated from high school a couple of weeks ago.
If you have a story, and would like to be included in Ordinary Runners, Volume VII, please send it to me.
[email protected]
Now get up and at'em and go for a run/walk today. You'll be glad you did............and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,

05/23/2026

From Ordinary Runners, Volume I, today is Julie Freeman day.
"Ordinary Runners Writing Assignment"
February 12, 2017
Julie tells us about running track and cross country in high school, but after high school running took a back seat.
Julie writes, "You know the drill, school, marriage, job and life in general all took precedent over running!"
That's a great line Julie. But Julie didn't stop there. In the next few years, she regained her love for running and lost 60 pounds. Then she registered for her first half-marathon.
For the rest of Julie's story, check out volume I. Thanks Julie!!!!!!!
I hope you find time today 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,

05/21/2026

From Ordinary Runners, Volume I, today is Erin G. Burton Day.
The first booklet was published in August 2017.
"My Running Story"
Erin talks about how she went from playing softball and tennis in high school to becoming a runner. Like most of us, Erin started running in local 5K races. Erin is from Statesboro. The great thing about her story is that she went from being happy to run for five minutes, to running marathons.
Her first marathon was the 2014 Savannah Rock n Roll Marathon.
She does mention what she calls bumps in the road, but she also emphasizes the importance of keeping your eyes on the prize.
"It's not about the medals, but it's about the feeling of accomplishment when you get your prize!"
Thanks Erin!!!!!!!
If you have a story, and I know you do, I hope you will send it to me and you will be in Ordinary Runners, Volume VII. And............if you send me a story, you get a copy of the book.
[email protected]
So, get up and at'em and go for a run/walk today. You'll be glad you did.........and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,

05/19/2026

The story behind Ordinary Runners, Volumes I - VI.
Way back in 2017 I asked a few of my running friends to write a couple of pages about one of their running experiences. I also told them that if they gave me a story, I would have a booklet printed with our stories. Simple, if they gave me a story, they got a booklet. Very limited edition.
So this week, I'll start remembering the authors who have been included in the first six editions of Ordinary Runners. The first edition, from August 2017, had 12 stories.
Thanks to Erin, Julie, Ashlie, Joyce, Zach, Laura Ann, Ray, Tara, Penny, Debbie, Jessica and Clay for helping my project come to life.
I hope you will get up and at'em today and go for a run/walk and start making memories. You'll be glad you did.........and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,
If you would like to be included in volume VII, please email your story to: [email protected]
I hope to have about 15 stories by July 15, 2026. So come on and join this fun project!!!!!

Address

Saint Simons Island, GA
31522

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Old Man Running posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Old Man Running:

Shortcuts

Share

Category