Cars would whiz past at 50mph slinging McDonald’s drinks and ice at us. Jeff changed a lot of things. Jeff helped make running cool to the masses who thought it was weird.
When I was growing up in the sport of “Running,” the premier screamed insult from a population yet unfamiliar with Bill Rogers, Dave Wottle, Steve Prefontaine, a barely-noticed Jim Ryan, or Frank Shorter… was “Jogger!” or “Streaker!“
In 1972 when Jeff Galloway qualified for the Olympics, I was still two years away from winning a 9-state Junior Olympic mile. Jeff was an inspiration to me in my early years because he didn’t care what anyone thought. I had to learn that also. I maybe wouldn’t have done my 100 mile training weeks out on the busy highways and icy-slushy near-dark rush hour roads, if Jeff hadn’t made it cool(er) to be a runner. For everyone.
I was totally shocked when I heard him say that “It’s OK to walk a minute, and run five minutes, and then walk another minute.“ It was so embarrassing to even think about doing that! I didn’t do it for another 15 years, but I heard him loud and clear.
Jogger! If we weren’t running in the five minute per mile or six minute per mile range, it was humiliating! Jogger! But eventually it’s sunk in.
Jeff was right.
Who’d a thunk it?! Taking care of your body is more important than taking care of your ego.
Jeff opened the door to millions of new “runners” who did not know where to even start. And, Jeff showed us the way to faster recovery from injury for competitive elite runners and triathletes.
Thanks Jeff. Pioneers can take a lot of different forms.
Not being controlled by what other people think is a big deal — if the human race is going to grow, instead of shrivel in conformity.
I owe you, Jeff Galloway, for your life lesson has pervaded other areas of my life, and surely many others, also.SystemOrEcosystem.com
