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.

Race Report: An Ras Mor 5K

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Jon Waldron

An Ras Mor (Irish for “The Great Race”) is a flat and fast 5K that begins and ends within shouting distance of MIT. For Cambridge-based CSU, it’s about the closest thing to a home course we have. This year An … Continue reading →

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From the Archives: The Dropout

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Jon Waldron

(Originally published December 17, 2008) “‘Taking [the] season off’ or ‘Work’ are the new ‘excuses’ for doing nothing…” By sheer coincidence, I read that comment on DyeStat a couple of weeks ago on the same day that I met with … Continue reading →

Posted in High School Runners, My Back Pages | Leave a comment

Cheating with Xenon

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Jon Waldron

Surely it’s only a matter of time before the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) bans the use of inhaled Xenon gas for Track and Field Training and Competition. According to various sources (for example, this article from The Economist), inhalation of … Continue reading →

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At the Clinic

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Jon Waldron

On Friday and Saturday, I attended the annual Track and Field clinic hosted by the Mass. Scholastic Track Coaches Association (MSTCA). I attend this clinic every year, and find it a useful way to learn more about events in which … Continue reading →

Posted in Coaching, High School Runners | Leave a comment

Race Report: 2014 Masters Indoor T&F Championships – Part 3 (of 3)

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Jon Waldron

“So this is why I say to you, train. Look after your body. Temper it with pain. And your body will amaze you; you will do things you thought impossible. That is why running matters. That is why Olympiads matter. … Continue reading →

Posted in Indoor Track, Race Reports | 1 Comment

Race Report: 2014 Masters Indoor T&F Championships – Part 2 (of 3)

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Jon Waldron

After racing the 3000m Friday afternoon, I felt pretty good about the mile on Saturday. My only complaints were a rawness in my throat left over from breathing in so much dry air during the race and a slight pain … Continue reading →

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Race Report: 2014 Masters Indoor T&F Championships – Part 1 (of 3)

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Jon Waldron

It had been six years since my last appearance at the USATF National Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships. In 2008 I had just turned 50 and was looking forward eagerly to competing in my new age group. Unfortunately, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Indoor Track, Race Reports | 3 Comments

The Hay and the Barn

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Jon Waldron

I have no doubt that there are runners in this world who truly enjoy tapering, and who, while they are counting down the days before a big race, feel confident and elated with the knowledge that they have arrived at … Continue reading →

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Poll: How Often Should I Post?

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Jon Waldron

I think you’ll agree that I’ve been doing a pretty good job of posting on a M-W-F schedule, but how long before I run out of things to say? And should I post less frequently but spend more time writing … Continue reading →

Posted in Attempts at Humor, Polls | 1 Comment

“I Hate that Guy!”

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Jon Waldron

One of my hobbies is coming up with conversational games that are suitable for long runs or lunches with co-workers (two activities that otherwise have very little in common). In these games, the idea is to define a recognizable and … Continue reading →

Posted in Attempts at Humor | 1 Comment