Paul Aufdemberge won the masters title at the Crim 10-mile with a 52:51.
Paul Aufdemberge, Michigan Runner of the Year in 1996, 1999 and 2000, won masters honors for 2005 upon turning 40, placing third overall (and first master) in the River Bank Run 25K (1:18:52) and claiming the masters title at the Crim 10-mile (52:51). He looks back on his year below.

Running has always meant a lot to me, ever since I started running high school cross country back in 1982. For all the time, sweat and effort I have devoted to running, I have always felt that the sport has given me so much in return: a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, friends who share a passion for running, the opportunity to travel, and even a livelihood as a running store manager. As much as I have enjoyed my years of running, however, the feeling that I am truly fortunate has only increased since I have gotten older. I am incredibly lucky that not only have I gotten to continue competing after age 40, but the introduction into a new age group has made 2005 one of my best years of running. Of course, I have slowed down a bit. I didn't set any personal bests in 2005 and won only one race outright. But one thing that has not changed over time is the feeling of satisfaction I get from running a strong race. Awards and prize money are great, but it is an internal drive that keeps me training hard and racing competitively. After reaching my 40th birthday Dec. 30, 2004, I raced 22 times in 2005, finishing first in the masters division 18 times. I lost to four different 40+ runners: Mbarak Hussein (a Kenya native and U.S. citizen as of 2004) all three times I raced him, and to Steve Boyd (Canada), Rick Fuller (Oregon) and Dennis Simonaitis (Utah) once each. Although I traveled out of state quite a bit, I did have the opportunity to run some great Michigan races. It's not easy to pick a favorite, but if I had to choose one, the Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K in Grand Rapids tops the list. It is a great course, a challenging distance, and a U.S. championship in a nice city. Other Michigan races among my favorites are the Zanglin Downriver Run 8K in Trenton, the Brian Diemer 5K in Cutlerville, and the Crim, all of which I have run 10 times or more. The Reeds Lake 10K in East Grand Rapids and the Clark Lake 12K are also competitive, scenic and well-organized. One of the highlights of my year was the one track race in which I participated. Running under the lights at my alma mater, Hillsdale College, on a perfect spring night, I ran my fastest 10K of the year, 30:04, which surpassed the previous American masters track record by 18 seconds. A sub-30:00 proved elusive, as I also ran times of 30:06 and 30:15 on the roads. Traveling to some of the country's biggest and best road races is also something I'll remember. Here's a rundown of some of my experiences:

Largest road race: The Peachtree 10K, Atlanta, July 4, with about 55,000 runners. (I was 23rd). Starts in several waves, finishes in one seemingly-endless wave of runners.

Best hospitality: Southern, of course. Tie between the Austin Marathon and the aforementioned Peachtree.

Most competitive: The Utica (N.Y.) Boilermaker 15K and, of course, Peachtree. They are six days apart and attract many of the same top runners.

Toughest course: The U.S. Classic 10K, Atlanta. Lots of hills. Big hills. "Only" about 10,000 runners in this one.

Most unique course: The Cooper River Bridge 10K in Charleston, S.C. ran the dual hills of this impressive span. This bridge is now history, replaced by a new one. I don't expect the '06 course to be any easier, though.

Flat and fast: Two of my favorite out-of-state races, the Naples (Fla.) Half Marathon and the Azalea Trail Run 10K in Mobile, Ala. Fast courses, nice people and good weather.

Nicest scenery: Twin Cities Marathon, Minneapolis-St. Paul. Even so, I wish I had spent just a few minutes less on this course, site of the U.S. Marathon Championships Oct. 2.

I owe a lot to many people who have helped and encouraged me through my years of running. My wife, Jeanne, and children, Emily and Jacob, are always there to support me. Frequent training partners Dave Peterson and Guy Murray have gotten me out the door for countless morning runs.

My high school coach, Lee Waak, and my college coach, Bill Lundberg, were responsible for the early success that kept me in the sport. University of Michigan coach Ron Warhurst and Doug Kurtis have given invaluable advice.

And I have benefitted from training with, racing against and listening to such Michigan running legends as Greg Meyer, Brian Diemer, John Scherer and Gerard Donakowski.

There are many others I haven't mentioned by name who deserve my thanks as well.

To the many terrific members of the running community who have contributed to races in any way and who have offered many kind words of encouragement to me, I say thank you.

As I look ahead to the 2006 racing season, I have goals of running a sub-30:00 10K and a sub-2:20 marathon. Whether I'll ever approach these times again, I don't know.

I'll also be looking forward in particular to racing those masters runners who beat me in '05, as well as those young guys who are just turning 40. MR