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.

09/03/2026

Here is a pretty good one for the "more mature" runners.
"The goal isn't to run faster. It's to still be running when fast doesn't matter anymore!"
Here are the thoughts of this old man running.
I still love to race. I use that term racing very, very, very loosely.
Looking back over 49 years of running and racing, one thing is very evident. Whether one likes it or not. ONE WILL SLOW DRASTICALLY AS THE YEARS FLY BY.
My best 5k time was way back in the 80's. My latest 5k time was 30:54 seconds slower than my fastest.
Did I mention that ONE WILL SLOW DRASTICALLY AS THE YEARS FLY BY?
I played baseball as a kid. I haven't tossed a baseball in 30 years.
I played basketball in high school and in an industrial league in my 20's. Now my hoop dreams are playing H.O.R.S.E. in the backyard.
I played softball in the Air Force and at the local recreation department after college. I haven't played softball since the 80's.
I hiked sections of the Appalachian Trail back in the day. I haven't been on the trail since 2012.
BUT.....I started running on January 31, 1979. And I met several friends yesterday morning to, and you guessed it, go for a run.
The miles really do come so much slower, but the miles are still coming.
Now it's your turn. I hope you get up and at'em today and go for a run/walk. You'll be glad you did.................and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,

09/02/2026

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

9/2/89 – Sea Palms United Way 5K – St. Simons Island
9/5/14 – Football Kickoff 5K – Fort Gordon, GA
9/6/03 – Toys for Tots 5K – Tybee Island
9/6 /25 - Philip's 5K to the Finish - Brunswick
9/7/91 – Aiken Whiskty Road 10K – Aiken, SC
9/8/79 – Aiken Whiskey Road 10k – Aiken, SC
9/8/84 – Aiken Lung Run 10K – Aiken, SC
9/8/01 – Toys for Tots 5K – Tybee Island
9/9/78 – Aiken Whiskey Road 10K – Aiken, SC
9/9/2000 – Toys for Tots 5K – Tybee Island

Did you notice 9/2/89? Way back in 1989, Michelle was a student at Georgia Southern College. She was an intern at Sea Palms the fall of 1989. One of her projects was to direct a race for United Way at Sea Palms.
I don't remember the exact course, but the start/finish line was in front of the Sea Palms golf course parking lot. Of course I was in that race...........and I probably still have that t-shirt.
Fast forward a bunch of years, and now our entire family lives on St. Simons Island and we all live in Sea Palms. Go figure.
I hope you take a few minutes 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,

08/20/2026

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

8/17/13 – Spartan Scamper 5K – Waynesboro
8/16/14 – Spartan Scamper 5K – Waynesboro
8/21/93 – Jekyll Island Triathon – Jekyll Island
500/10k/5k
8/22/92 – Jekyll Island Triathon – Jekyll Island
500/10k/5k
8/22/15 – Fort Gordon Glo-Run 5K – Fort Gordon
8/25/90 – Jekyll Island Triathlon – Jekyll Island
500/10k/5k
8/26/89 – Jekyll Island Triathlon – Jekyll Island
500/10K/5K
8/31/91 – Midnight Flight 5K – Anderson, SC

As you can see, if one is racing in late August, it helps to start the race with a swim. It's usually pretty cool in the ocean at Jekyll Island.
You know this, but it is hot. If you use your common sense there are still opportunities for you to get up and at'em and go for a run/walk today.......................late today.
You'll be glad you did...........and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,

08/16/2026

Congratulations to my good friends in Brooklet for another successful race. The 26th Annual Brooklet Peanut 5K is a great example of how small towns support a specific event. By my count, I've participated in this race 16 times. Toby, Coach Pitts and Zach know how to do it right. The race benefits the SEB cross country teams. The city of Brooklet, and people from surrounding towns show up in full force. I saw Toby a minute before the start and I think he said there were over 300 registered runners.
Here are my top ten things that I love about this race.
1. The race is conducted by runners for runners. Races don't last for 26 years without running experts running the show. (Pun intended)
2. The course is flat and well-marked. (Some say fast...no comment from me!)
3. It is hot in August and there are two water tables on the course. Several neighbors had water sprinklers available for runners.
4. Many of the runners stay around the finish and cheer for the way back in the packers like me.
5. There are ssssooooo many door prizes given away.
6. Age group awards are trophies!
7. The awards are given out in reverse age order. The oldest runners are called out first.
8. I always know exactly where my entry $$$$ are going.
9. We get a great looking t-shirt.
10. We get bags of roasted peanuts in our welcome packet.
If you need other reasons to sign up for the 27th Annual Brooklet Peanut 5K, please don't hesitate to call me.
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,

08/15/2026

Congratulations to Julie, Amber, Lilly, Isla and Olivia. They are running partners 563, 564, 565, 566 and 567.
As many of you know, I started running way back in 1977. For some reason, in my running journal I made a note of my running partners.
This morning I saw exactly how much fun two moms were having with their children. Julie and Amber were running in Brooklet's Peanut 5k. Lilly and Isla were running; Amber was pushing Olivia in a stroller. (I HOPE I GOT EVERYONE IN THE CORRECT ORDER0
Julie was using the run/walk method with the two little girls. Over the 5k course, we passed each other 15 or 20 times. What made this so interesting for me was the attitude of Lilly and Isla.
Julie would have them run for a specific interval and then walk for a specific interval. The moms were engaged with the youngsters, encouraging them and just enjoying the race.
I did not hear either of the girls fussing, NOT ONE WORD.
I thought about how many parents maybe get a bit too pushy when getting little ones interested in our great sport.
Julie and Amber have mastered the art of helping youngsters enjoy running.
I kind of lost them at the awards, so I'm not sure if they won a trophy. But I know they had a fun morning....................and that says a lot for Julie and Amber. Thanks # 563, 564, 565, 566 and 567.
I hope you take some 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, and who knows............if you slow down a bit and wait for me............you might just be number 568!

08/13/2026

And now a bit of Brooklet Peanut 5K racing history from this Old Man Running.

8/18/01 – Brooklet Peanut 5K – Brooklet
8/17/02 – Brooklet Peanut 5K – Brooklet
8/16/03 – Brooklet Peanut 5K – Brooklet
8/20/05 – Brooklet Peanut 5K – Brooklet
8/19/06 – Brooklet Peanut 5K - Brooklet
8/18/07 – Brooklet Peanut 5K – Brooklet
8/16/08 – Brooklet Peanut 5K – Brooklet
8/20/11 – Brooklet Peanut 5K – Brooklet
8/20/16 – Brooklet Peanut 5K – Brooklet
8/19/17 – Brooklet Peanut 5K – Brooklet
8/18/18 – Brooklet Peanut 5K - Brooklet
8/17/19 – Brooklet Peanut 5K – Brooklet
8/19/23 – Brooklet Peanut 5K – Brooklet
8/17/24 – Brooklet Peanut 5K - Brooklet
8/16/25 – Brooklet Peanut 5K – Brooklet
As you can see, the Brooklet Peanut 5K is one of my favorite races. And yes Virginia, I am registered for the 26th Peanut 5K this Saturday.
One may wonder what makes this race so special? I'm a retired teacher and I coached cross-country back in the day. This race benefits the Southeast Bulloch cross country teams.
It didn't take long for me to see the pride and support the Brooklet community has for SEB. The city of Brooklet really comes out to support this race.
The course is flat, and some say fast........for me........well....... it's flat.
Coach Pitts, Coach Davis and Zach C. do a fantastic job taking care of the runners. They are coaches and they are also runners. They know how to put on a top notch race.
If you haven't signed up, I strongly encourage you to get up and at'em and join us for the Brooklet Peanut 5K this Saturday. You'll be glad you did...............and so will the SEB cross country teams.
I'll see ya on the roads, (hopefully in Brooklet on Saturday!

08/09/2026

And now a bit of racing history from this Old Man Running!
8/7/82 – Bear Creek Streak 5K – Douglas, GA
8/11/84 – Frog Wallow Waddle 5K – Sardis, GA
8/13/83 – Metter Road Race 10K – Metter
8/15/92 – St. Simons Island 5K – St. Simons Island
8/15/92 – St. Simons 1 Mile -St. Simons Island
8/15/09 – Savannh 1 Mile – Savannah

As you can see, early August is not a very good time to be racing. But if you get up early enough, it is a great time to be walking/running.
You might be surprised how quiet our world is at 6 a.m. You might see a few cars, but that noise won't last long. Before you know it, there will be birds singing, deer pausing to watch you run by and squirrels scurrying back and forth trying to decide which way they really want to go.
If you didn't make a 6 o'clock run/walk this morning, there is always tomorrow.
Take some time and get up and at'em and go for a run/walk soon. You'll be glad you did............and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,

08/03/2026

A bit of racing history from this Old Man Running.

7/22/78 -Beaufort Water Festival – Beaufort, SC
7/22/97 – GAEL Beach 5K – Jekyll Island
7/23/88- Beach 5K – St. Simons Island
8/2/14 – Beach Bum Triathlon – Hilton Head, SC
400meters/6-miles/3-miles
8/4/90 – Summer Biathlon – Albany, GA
Run 1 mile fire 5 shots; run 1 mile fire 5 shots; run 1.1 miles
I missed one shot, 30 second penalty

As you know, I still love to race. Race????? I should say that I still love to gather with a group of very nice people and watch many of them race. But I do love a t-shirt.
If you are looking for a fun, well organized race to benefit a group of young runners, then the Brooklet Peanut 5K is for you. The race benefits the Southeast Bulloch High School cross country teams. I entered the first Peanut 5K way back on August 18, 2001. And yes friends, back then I was a racer. But that was then and this is now.
I strongly encourage you to enter this year's race. You will find a race with the entire Brooklet community out to support this race and this school.
I hope you get up and at'em and join me on August 15th in Brooklet. You'll be glad you did............and so will I.
I'll see ya on the road,

07/22/2026

If you follow our sport, you know that Josh Kerr set a new world record for the mile last weekend. The new record is 3:42.66. If you are not a runner, maybe you are a walker. You might not know that the current record for the 5k race walk is...........drum roll.................17:55.65. Down here of SSI, we call that a brisk walk.
I mention these numbers because I'm always amazed at what our body can accomplish. Of course we can't run a mile under four minutes, and we can't walk 3.1 miles in under 18 minutes, but we can move a bit more today that we moved yesterday.
How about it? There is nothing special about today. Just another Wednesday in late July. But you can make it special. You can do something that will impact your health for the rest of your life. All you have to do is get up and at'em and go a run/walk today?
You'll be glad you did............and so will I.
I'll see ya on the roads,

07/20/2026

Have you heard about the Brooklet Peanut 5K?
The 26th Annual Peanut 5K is scheduled for August 15, 2026. The race benefits the Southeast Bulloch cross country teams.
I've raced the first 5k way back in 2001. Now don't let the math trip you up. LOL
The school and the Brooklet community really know how to put on a top-notch race. The course is pretty flat and fast. Of course, fast is a relative term for me. But it is flat!!!!
If you want a fun race for a great cause, then this is the race for you.
Have a great Monday and 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, (and hopefully on the Brooklet roads on August 15!)

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