Some pretty fast-stepping runners were included among those who followed University of Oregon coach Bill Bowerman’s philosophy and “jangled loosely” most of the year.
Let’s lead off with Bill Dellinger. He was coach of Oregon for almost 30 years and he followed Bowerman’s principles very closely, Dellinger was a 1956 Olympian and an American record holder for 5,000 meters.
In 1972, Steve Prefontaine represented Oregon and the U.S. in the Munich Olympics. Steve’s personal best-times were 3:56 for the mile, 8:26 for two miles, 12:58 for three miles, and 27:09 for six miles. “Pre” died tragically in an auto accident only six years after graduating from high school. At the time of his death, he was America’s greatest young-athlete.
Wade Bell was another Olympian, world-class 800-meter runner, sub-four-minute miler who wore the Ducks’ green and gold uniform. Matt Centrowitz, out of Manhattan’s Power Memorial High School, opted to leave Manhattan College to try Oregon’s methods. He went on to win the national 5,000 meter championship five times.
Incidentally, in the 1970’s, Matt and Manhattan College teammate Tony Colon ran Clove Lakes’ fastest three miles ever. Tony won the open race in 13:36 and Matt won the open division in 13:41. Those times are so fast nobody wants to remember them.
Even Kansas’ Jim Ryun, the world record-holder for the mile, migrated to Oregon to try Bowerman’s system. Jim was succeeding, too, until hay fever did him in.
Two other athletes who names might be familiar to you cam out of the Bowerman camp. Joachim Cruz, Brazil’s Olympic gold medalist at Los Angeles in 1984, was an Oregon student at the time. Alberto Salazar, a New York City Marathon champion and former world record holder, ran out of Oregon.
Alberto did his best running when he limited his maximum efforts. When he ignored Bowerman’s golden rule and went for super mileage at all-out efforts, his results became anemic. Cruz, like his teammate Salazar, forgot about the golden rule and became part of the comeback trail after serious orthopedic surgery.
Why not follow Bill Bowerman’s advice? Train, don’t strain! And, remember that beginning runners, like joggers, never run at maximum effort.
Legendary Coach Bill Welsh – Editor of the 80’s Countdown
