Trivia: What Maine entrepreneur makes customized running shoes starting at $200?

THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT

1. ID tags/items for runners.

2. Spectators cheering from their lawns.

3. Leaving a prized race time on your watch a few days.

4. Health clubs.

5. Writing in your training log.

6. Running a negative-split race (the second half faster than the first). 7. Fifty-degree, sunny, windless days.

8. Lifesaver Creme Savers, Cream of Wheat.

9. Track spikes; most other athletes compete in practice shoes.

10. Hearing your name announced at the finish.

11. Sharing running with your parents.

12. Timing the light change just right at an intersection.

13. Owning a good picture of yourself running.

14. Making time to run.

15. Buying running shoes for your kid(s).

16. Knowing when to back off to avoid further trouble.

17. Being attendant to an important record being set.

18. Running in a metric country.

19. Outdoor tracks open and free to the public.

20. Running with friends as the world sleeps.

21. Button-down or polo souvenir race shirts.

22. Medical research praising running.

23. Meeting and learning how much elite athletes are just like us.

24. When a race t-shirt becomes a conversation piece.

25. Fourth of July and Thanksgiving Day races.

26. The first time in fall you wear a hat, the first time in spring you wear shorts. 27. Midweek evening races in summer.

28. Running in all 83 Michigan counties.

29. Knowing you've earned your time in the Jacuzzi.

30. Race t-shirts that only go to finishers.

31. References to running in cartoons.

32. Dogs contained behind "invisible" fences. 33. Running with your dog.

34. Running marathons in all 50 states and D.C.

35. Roads and trails are always there.

BUT, SERIOUSLY... Before the running boom started in the early '70s, the strong cross-country team from Allegheny Community College (PA) wore t-shirts that said, "Run For Fun." Running for fun would appear to be at odds, an oxymoron, with the seemingly-serious nature of competitive racing. I ran for Eastern Michigan University at the time and remember thinking that what appears as opposites, could coexist.

I figured the reason I returned over and over to the stress and demands of collegiate training and racing was because I liked what I was doing. It was rewarding, fun. I liked "Run for Fun," although I didn't know what my teammates thought and didn't suggest we copy the phrase on t-shirts of our own.

Some 30 years later, while scanning posts on the Dead Runners Society website, I paused at the following quote (which I got permission to use and have elected to let the writer remain anonymous): "In the 5K, I ran most of the way exchanging places with two women who were yakking it up while I was struggling to maintain an 8:30-mile pace. They didn't expound on the futility of racing while not up front, but it seems to me that running in a race at a pace that allows you to carry on a constant stream of desultory conversation is tantamount to the same thing. C'mon people, it's a race. Push a little, you might enjoy it more; I know I'd enjoy the silence a lot more myself.

"Toward the end of the 20K (same day, different race), I could hear two people, conversing behind me, gradually close the gap. Again, they clearly weren't putting out a race effort. They eventually passed me, two 30-something women, and it was pretty clear they were just "out for a jog." I vowed to not let them beat me, but didn't have what it took to carry out my vow."

I asked others what they thought of my Dead friend, who sounded put out. Reaction varied very little. Surprise. Almost all felt the "serious" runner should lighten up.

"I think it's OK to take pleasure out of an event for a reason that isn't effort-related. And why would anyone assume that going faster is more fun?" said Emily Clark.

"We all run for different reasons. Those who want to push to the limit, go ahead. We won't bother you and don't bother us," stated Ed McLaughlin.

From Tom Henderson, who's run more than a few races: "Methinks the world has enough rules without defining what people should do at races."

From an up-north buddy, Dave Taylor: "Don't worry so much about what others are doing. Focus on your own efforts and you'll get further."

On a similar thread, "Sorry if he had to hear the chatter, but if he was concentrating on the race, he probably shouldn't have noticed it. I think the guy has underlying feelings of inadequacy," said Eve Howell.

Mary DeMattia added, "I think this person needs to get a life. Many people go to races for the comradeship of others. Some just aren't as competitive as others."

"If only 'competitive' runners went to races, the numbers would be way down and we'd have fewer races to choose from (Sounds like Japan - SH). I'm happy to see so many people participating in a healthy lifestyle, regardless of their pace or place," felt Bob Smith.

From one of Michigan's elite runners and better writers, Laurel Park: "They paid their entry fee to run/jog/walk, so as long as they don't physically impede others (they're OK). You can't forbid people to talk during races, so avoidance is the best tactic."

From Dan Horvath in Ohio, "People race for all kinds of reasons. Some folks are there for the competition, some to test themselves, and others for the social experience. One person's serious effort may involve talking, while another's may only allow for huffing and puffing."

Brenda Lynch, Michigan Runner's 2001 Women's Senior Runner of the Year, adds: "Some people can run 8:30's while talking and others can't. It's too bad it bothers people, but races aren't posted 'For serious runners only.' If that were the case, races wouldn't be very large or popular."

Sports psychologist Jeff Martin notes, "The interesting part of the quote is what appears to be the embedded assumption by the man being passed: that racing should only (or predominately) be about competition. The women seemed to be using the race to get in some running and socializing. It's not more complicated than that."

On a different angle, "The women could've avoided the hassles of getting up early and finding a place to park and met elsewhere for free, but they showed up and paid to run. This supports the sport and I think that's pretty nice," said Don Richmond.

A last reaction, "This reminds me of a t-shirt seen on runners' backs: 'I may be slow, but I'm ahead of you.' The yakkers may be having fun, but they're beating the serious runner," from an anonymous-but- experienced source.

Only a couple folks shared the sentiments of the Dead runner. When I told him how the majority had reacted, he replied, "They're probably right. I'm usually not that focused and small-minded. You'd think at age 59, I'd be more laid back."

There are school competition rules that bar disparaging comments between athletes. Beyond that conversation isn't banned, but it's rare upfront. As you move behind the top third in most races, conversation comes more easily. It doesn't come easily to all, however, and it's not fair to label a fellow runner antisocial if they don't respond to something you say.

To those who prefer to concentrate on the run, it's probably less stressful to not take the actions of others around you personally. Run for fun.

Answer: Bart Hersey, who has made running shoes since 1983, also makes customized race-walk shoes. He can be reached at www.herseycustomshoe.com.