Author Archives: Jon Waldron

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About Jon Waldron

Running and Racing have been important parts of my life for as long as I can remember. I ran Track and Cross Country at Amherst HS, back in the day, and am proud to have been training and competing with the Cambridge Sports Union (CSU) for more than thirty years. If my bones hold out, I hope to continue for another thirty. Sixteen years ago, I began coaching, first as an Asst. Coach at Newton North HS in Newton, MA, and for the past ten years, as Head Track and Cross Country Coach at Concord Academy in Concord, Massachusetts. I've been writing about running for almost as long as I've been running, dating back to high school, when I would write meet summaries for the Amherst Record for about $0.33 per column inch. I've been blogging about running since 2005, and began blogging at "the runner eclectic" in 2014. Until recently I also had a day job, working full-time as a Technical Product Manager for Nuance Communications, based in Burlington, MA. But I am now on what might turn out to be a permanent sabbatical. Thank you for reading my blog, and please consider leaving a comment.

Don’t Blame Vibram

On May 6th, Runner’s World reported that Italian footwear company Vibram, makers of the “Five Fingers” running shoe, had agreed to a settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that the company engaged in deceptive advertising when it claimed its shoes strengthened … Continue reading

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Manzano to run at the 2014 Martinez Classic

On June 5th, 2014, Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano will be in Concord, Mass., to race the mile at the Adrian Martinez Classic track meet. And that’s only one surprising and interesting development for a local meet intent on getting … Continue reading

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From the Archives: Did I Say That?

[Originally published May 13, 2008] If the key to good coaching is good communication, I think I might be in trouble. It’s not that I don’t communicate, it’s that I seem to communicate much more than I actually mean.

Posted in Coaching, High School Runners | 3 Comments

Running the 4×400 Relay

One thing I know about high school track and field is that no matter how small your team, no matter how weak and infirm it might appear compared to the Brocktons and Newton Norths of the world, you can always … Continue reading

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How Fast is 13:02?

Ben True won the 5000m at the Peyton Jordan Invitational Sunday night, running a personal best time of 13:02.76, with Hassan Mead only four-hundredths of a second behind. When I saw those times, I thought to myself “Wow, that’s fast!” … Continue reading

Posted in Pro Runners, Records & Statistics | 1 Comment

‘Born to Run’ Turns Five

It’s hard to believe, but May 5th marks the fifth anniversary of the publication of Born to Run,  Chris McDougall’s manifesto on the subjects of ultra-distance running, minimalist footwear, and the athletic prowess of the Tarahumara people of Mexico’s Copper … Continue reading

Posted in Books and Movies | 1 Comment

Their Marathon, Too

I brought my car in for service this morning, and the employee who was taking my information saw from my registration that I was from Newton and asked, “Did you watch the marathon this year?” I admitted that I had, … Continue reading

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Five Running Myths Exposed

Outside Magazine continues to be on the cutting edge of running research. A friend forwarded me a link to a recent article that sets out to debunk several myths about running, training, and overall health (10 Running Myths That Are … Continue reading

Posted in Attempts at Humor | 1 Comment

Runner in the House

This morning Joni and I woke up before dawn so that I could drive her to the airport to catch a 6:20 a.m. shuttle back to Washington where she lives and works. It’s an understatement to say that it was … Continue reading

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Talent and Training

The photos above, which Tyler posted on his Facebook page the other day, are — in their own way — a challenge to a whole worldview about talent and training. One can gaze upon them with much the same feeling … Continue reading

Posted in Coaching, Marathon | 1 Comment