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Welcome Back! It is great to know that Northrunning is back on the presses cranking out great track and field material! I had the pleasure of reading Barry Ryan's article on Pre and it was truly inspiring! Not only did Pre inspire a generation of athletes but his legacy lives on through people such as Mr. Ryan. It is that legacy and the memories of great track and field performances (then and now) that allows us to transcend time and go back to our roots of running, jumping, and throwing! His story reminded me of my visit to Eugene for the Master's Nationals two years ago. Let me share my thoughts of Pre's memorial, Pre's Trail, and Hayward Field!

I have been involved in Track and Field since 1974. I can remember the greats of the 70's and Steve Prefontaine was a name that I truly remembered. It wasn't until the movie "Without Limits" came out that I truly understood how Pre blazed a trail for generations to come. I had watched the movie at least 10 times while working out on my lifecycle doing intervals training for the New England Masters. I still watch the movie regularly and am inspired by scenes at Hayward where the fans go crazy with Pre's historic races! His front running, negative splits, blistering paces and furious assaults on the record books!! During one of my workouts I decided to make a trip to Hayward to compete in the Masters Nationals to experience Hayward Field first hand. I wanted a glimpse of Oregon Track, Bill Bowerman, the founding of Nike, and the memory of the great Steve Prefontaine! (It should be noted that my 2 year old Springer is named Pre). Although my hopes were high, I never expected the incredible experience that I received.

I decided before the meet that if I was going to make the trip it wasn't going to be to just High Jump and leave. I was going to run the 800 and feel the history of the final straight at Hayward! Fortunately for me I avoided embarrassment and ran a 2:06 at the ripe old age of 41! I can assure you that the fear of being on the Nike Jumbotron with "Just Do It" emblazoned on the screen and my name and face flashing before my eyes really motivated me to leave everything I had on the track!! It sure was testimony to me that running and competing is within us no matter what our age! That on any given day anything is possible! During my meet, I struck up a friendship with a judge while competing in the HJ .(a former Olympic Trial official from 1972). I asked him questions to validate the movie and the legend of Pre! To my surprise, he not only validated what I had heard but also added numerous stories of Pre's training and racing exploits! It was then that he encouraged me to visit the University of Oregon Hall of Fame, Pre's Trail(beside Autzen stadium) and Pre's memorial(Barry's picture of Pre's shrine). During my visit to his trail, I was so overwhelmed with beauty and history that I found myself running for over an hour at a fast pace. When I stopped and began talking to runners about the area, it became clear to me that Pre's death had inspired a generation of runners! Many were competitive runners from around the country in all age groups and were driven by one goal to "Run Without Limits"! Pre envisioned Eugene to be the running Mecca and his dream had become reality. I visited his memorial with a former teammate from UMass. who was there to run in the 200 and 100 and we both were brought to tears by the candles lit in his memory and the notes from adoring fans of all ages!! This man and his "LEGEND" have lived long after he died on that fateful night! There have been many legends from Track and Field and many more that we have never even heard of. But to support Barry's point, the "Legend of Pre" was a shooting star that was extinguished long before his finest moment!!

Dwight, please thank Barry Ryan for reminding me of Pre, his legend and the hallowed track of Hayward Field!! Track and Field is a sport that unites us all in our pursuit for the freedom of running, jumping, and throwing! A pursuit that the "Hands of Time" will not take away!! If you ever have the chance, compete in the Masters when it goes back to Hayward! It will be a memory that will last a lifetime!!

In Fitness,
Jerry Espinosa