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Interview w/ controversial,
H.S. running legend
GERRY LINDGREN

Posted June 27th, 2007 at 8:00 AM by Martin Kennedy

Section: Special Features, Interviews

Gerry Lindgren has had a turbulent life in his 61 years on the planet. He was brought up in an abusive household, under his father who was never supportive of his son’s running accomplishments. With a deep hatred for himself, Gerry trained harder than any runner ever had. He ran 350 miles a week for six straight weeks. This hard training propelled him to the forefront of worldwide distance running. He was an Olympian as a high school student, held a share of the 10K world record, and was an 11 time all-American.

[However], Gerry soon faded away from elite running after college. In 1980, Gerry’s personal demons again caught up with him. One morning his wife and children awoke to find a note saying “sell the business and get a divorce.” Years later, after living under a false name, Lindgren resurfaced, wrote a book on running, and began coaching the women’s track and field team at the University of Hawaii. Lindgren still has no contact with his family. Gerry believes he knows what’s wrong with distance running.

Q. What kind of coaching are you currently doing?

A. At the University of Hawaii, I coach women’s distance runners in track plus XC. Except this year indoors at one meet in Seattle all of the distance runners ran personal best times in at least one event.

To read the rest of this interview conducted by our friends at Joffroi Running, please CLICK HERE