Beware Of The Geez
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I ran across the state line from Massachusetts into New York and the first thing I noticed was a deterioration of the roads. Also the hard shoulder was not ploughed as well.
I stopped in a service station cum diner in the town of New Lebanon just enjoying listening to that familiar almost Italian accented New York twang.
Its funny when I told a few people back home I was on my way to this state their reply was of the order of…
” I just love the Big Apple. ”
Does everyone think the whole of New York state is New York city? And it’s a big state.
It was still very cold and windy and slushy in the hard shoulder. Normally my feet don’t get cold but when I run on slush they do. My running shoes were saturated. I am now running in my 6th and 7th pair. I usually alternate shoe brands as it is better for the feet and aids recovery. Last time I did a calculation I was tying up a brand new pair every 2 and a half weeks.
Just outside Nassau a blonde jumps out of a pickup and says..
” Are you homeless? ”
” Kinda… I am running around the world! ”
” Are you hungry? ”
” You mustn’t read my blogs! ”
She hands me two packaged meals.
” Are you meals on wheels? ”
” Yes. ”
I opened up one of the packages. Pasta and veg. I couldn’t stomach them cold.
I ran to the outskirts of the state capital, Albany. I was to meet my two friends John Geesler and Terry there.
Myself and the Geez go back about 8 years. He is my biggest arch-rival and great friend. He is also the American 48 hour record holder having run 252 miles. Their area is a bit off my route so I decided I would get close and run along highway 20. His running club, the Kuyahoora Kickers made me an honorary member after my battle with John in the 2006 Across The Years 72 hour race. Members of the Kickers would commute me back and forth for the few days I would be in the area.
After that race they sent me a signed photo at the awards breakfast as I had breakfast with John.
He won on that occasion. I was second about 12km behind. I think I ran about 450km. The following year I won and John was second.
John leads our personal encounters 4-2.
I remember the first time I ran against him. It was in November 2002 in a 48 hour race. He is a big tough looking guy so distinctive by his long hair and trademark headband. He looks just like a Hells Angels biker but a gentle giant.
I had been reading an ultra running magazine over the years. John Geesler’sname kept coming up. He was a prolific racer. Racing often winning his fair share. The joke in the Kickers is that they run races because they have trained hard for them but with John he runs them because he got an invite in his mailbox.
In that 48 hour race he ran non-stop for 36 hours. He had a lead of about 31 miles or 50km on me. Then he got injured and left the 400 meter track. He went for a rare nap. About 2 hours. You see his injury was such he felt he had to quit. So he returned to the track just to say goodbye to the other runners. One of the competitors a man called Ray grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back onto the track.
John just kept walking. He was walking one lap for every two I was running. His lead was massive. I had got it down a lot. I had been running very hard. I was very tired now. Gradually John starts running again. He won the race having run 231 miles.
Ever since that race John has been one of my heroes.
Well anyway here we are in a fast food joint just outside Albany with his brother-in-law Terry. We load Nirvana into their pickup. One of the lads would return me here in the morning. It’s a good hour each way.
We arrive at Kicker Stan’s house. I would be staying there with him and his wife Joanne for the duration of my stay.
Next morning would be a late start as I have promised to give a talk to the children at John’s local school in St. Johnsville.
He is up on the auditorium stage introducing me to about 300 children and teachers saying….
” Some of you kids may have seen me running forever around the roads and trails around here and just to prove there is someone madder than me I want to introduce you to my friend Tony Mangan from Ireland who is even madder..Tony is running around the world! ”
It was my first school talk and I got a great kick out of it… Nice to be able to give something back to the community.
They asked many intelligent questions about my route and what the Spot tracking device was.
Then just as we are about to wrap it up one asks me about Nirvana….
” Whats that thing up there with the wheels? ”
How could I forget!
As Stan is returning me to last nights finishing spot he tells me of the out and back race Geez puts on every year.
” Its a great 10km race.
” John always says….
” It’s flat going out and downhill coming back! ”
So I run through the city of Albany buggy free.. Its tough as there is so much slush on the road and sidewalks. There is also a lot of traffic and I got to negotiate a steep ramp climb with traffic belting past me.
I eventually clear the city and stop in a Gulf gas station for a coffee. The friendly proprietor of the Brother Pizza counter gives me some for free.
I cant stop for long as John will be picking me up on the road soon. He works in a textile factory as a maintenance man. he can fix anything, a man of many talents. Tomorrow he will butcher 3 pigs on his farm. I am invited to help. I decline.
Next day Saturday I take a rest day. I ask him how his day was…
” Better than the pigs! ”
I went over to Donny and Linda’s house. Donny says.
” You want to see my game room Tony? ”
I say.. ” Sure I haven’t shot pool in years! ”
Donny shows me all the stuffed elks and bears he has hunted over the years.
.
I took another rest day on the Sunday as Stan and Joanne have decided to throw an open house party for all the kickers in my honor.
I can’t believe the amount of effort people are putting in on my behalf.
The usual banter and teasing is going on.
I tell the story of my first Irish international appearance. It was a world 100km championship race in Cleder, France in 2001.
My mam and sister Ann went over to support me. It was 2 laps of 50km. At the end of the first lap as we were coming through the pretty French village my sister rushes over to take my photo as I am slowing down to make a turnabout for the start of the second lap.
Just then my mam rushes out from the crowd with a tissue and wipes my face!
” Son you are frothing at the mouth! ”
This is too much for The Geez… He is laughing his head off
” Oh! Mangan if only I had a blog! ”
” So how come you don’t have a blog? ” Someone asks John.
” I am not like Mangan I am a low key modest runner! ”
Someone else quips..
” So John is that why you got your own sign on both sides of town?
January 20th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
Hi TONY,
BEEN DAILY FOLLOWING YOUR GREAT ADVENTURE.
MY FAMILY CONTINUE TO WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST
PLEASE GIVE JOHN MY BEST WISHES
ALAN
January 20th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
That was a hilarious write-up! Keep it going and keep it coming!
January 20th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Tony,
Not sure if you’ll get this tonight…are you in the Ithaca area with a designated route and/or lodging for tomorrow, Friday the 21st? I’m the owner of a running and triathlon specialty shop in Ithaca and can resupply you if needed, have a warm basement if needed for lodging, and could join you for a leg of the run tomorrow.
Great work….
Ian (607-339-5897)
January 21st, 2011 at 1:17 am
Thanks Lynn but to anyone else reading this: its always best to post on the most recent posting as people probably dont read old postings/comments again. Thanks again.. Good running and keep the cows happy! Tony
January 21st, 2011 at 3:29 am
Thanks Ian! See you tomorrow. Tony
January 21st, 2011 at 1:11 pm
My husband, son, and I had a great time visiting with you! We wish you much luck as you continue your journey! Hope you had a safe run to Ithaca. Make sure you eat when you get there! Happy running! ~Melissa, Trever, and Lukas
January 23rd, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Hi Tony,
Looks like you had a great time cathing up with John and all the gang from the club. Fair play John for looking after Tony so well. Great stories Tony. Take care Ann