Race recap + women's race coverage (.pdf) - Runner's World

Beardsley msde a world class debut in the
Grandma's Marathon when he flsshed to a
2zw);34_al that time the third frstest time ever
by an American.
/Mark Rosen/
think there were skeptics out there, but
my 2:08 at Boston reallY helPs
legitimize Grandma's. "
The world record is Salazar's
2:08:13, run last October in New York.
But Beardsley believes Grandma's is
the course for anyone who wants to set
records. His string of high quality
marathons indicates he may have the
potential to break Salazar's record
himself.
Beardsley has always done most of
his training alone. He believes it aids
his mental toughness. In 1981, he
placed himself under the tutelage of
Bill Squires, former trainer for Alberto
Salazar and Bill Rodgers. To prepare
for Boston, he moved temPorarilY to
Atlanta. After six or seven 140 mile
weeks to rebuild his base, he got involved
in an Olympic testing program
under the direction of Dr' Dave Martin.
He learned that about 120-125
miles per week was his oPtimum
training mileage. With his friend Dean
Matthews, he did weeklY track
workouts including long intervals of
660 yards to a mile. He believes his
training in Atlanta, which naturally included
hills and hot weather, prepared
him well for Boston.
Back in Rush City recovering from
his Boston race, the wirY 5' ll' , 128
pound Beardsley talked of his am-
Running Times, JulY 1982
bitious long range goals.
"Next year the world championships
are in Helsinki Finland," Dick said. "I
hope to be on the U.S. team. After
that, the Olympics. My main goal is to
try and make the 1984 Olympic team."
The friendly and articulate Minnesota
native works in public relations
for a plastics moulding comPanY in
Rush City. The comPanY is owned bY a
sympathetic friend who gives Dick free
reign to pursue his second occupation,
running. He is also able to capitalize on
The Athletics Congress's new policy
toward prize moneY. Prodded bY the
Association of Road Racing Athletes,
TAC now allows athletes like Dick
Beardsley to send prize money into a
trust fund for future training. His performance
in Houston netted him $6500
for his trust fund.
t
I
Although running has become a waY
of life for Beardsley, he retains a wellrounded
perspective on the sPort.
"Running is something I really enjoy
right now. But my wife, MarY,
definitely comes first," he said. "If
running were ever to start messing up
my marriage, without question I would
end my competitive career tomorrow' "
Speaking in his characteristically
open and energetic style, Dick paused
only briefly when asked what he would
like to say to others.
"When I started out, I wasn't a
world class runner," he said. "I didn't
run until I was a senior in high school.
I started out as pretty much of a jogger
like most people. I kept at it and got
determined and stubborn enough to
keep doing it until it has definitely paid
.-l';
t
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