From Smoking to Smokin' !!!

by Bill Ehman
(Charleston WV)

Bill finishing 15 mile run 1988

Dear Coach & Beginning Joggers,

Every now and then I do a search on "the benefits of jogging". I was led to your site! I really enjoyed your simple attitudes about running and great advice. It is also cool about your brother!!!I am 56 years old and (like you) run 3-4 times x(4 miles) a week. I never ran in school but I started at the end of January 1981.

Running saved my life. I believe that a prayer to God will help people quit smoking and will heal their bodies and give them peace, period. I was a smoker and my brother and I quit our band. I wasn't sleeping well and my weight was slipping (from the smoking). The physical/spiritual benefits of running were amazing!!! I was 28 and I felt like 18:)

Like you I have been able to continue running, though some times I had injuries which seemed to be from just over doing it. I always tried to honor my body and give it a break even though I love running.

Today I ran 4 miles in under 40 minutes!!! My fastest in the past 6 months when I kinda started again from scratch.

My favorite PR is from 1991. The Huntington 10 miler in 1:07. I placed 91st out of 400 people. My mile splits were 6:42 and Janice Klecker's were 6 flat!!! She won the woman's at that race and then won the Olympic trials in Texas the following year and placed 21st in Barcelona Spain in 92!!!!!

In preparation for Huntington I was doing marathon training with speed work at a local track. I never ran a marathon but did 21 miles one day. I would run long runs on the weekends and alternate mile repeats on weekends. When I was getting ready to run 10 mile repeats the stadium was closed for Easter so I climbed over the barbed wire fence. The janitor kicked me out so I went home and ran 10 miles straight out madder than hell!!! I did it in 1:09 and the rest is history:)

Both my feet are flat and I was never a great athelete, but then again maybe I am, and you can be too.

Jogging and running gives you a natural high and a great feeling that God meant us to have. It is really not about the speed or the points or even winning or beating someone. It is about the natural celebration of the body that no one can take away from you. It is a gift that you can receive no matter who you are.

I am including a pic of me after a 15 mile run 7 years after I began to run. Beginning to jog or run can be the best thing that you ever start doing. I have done it for 28 years and I am hooked !!!It will keep you young and vital beyond your years.

Keep on Rockin,
~Bill~