Membership spotlight for January on Allan Thomas Langen

By Lou Slaces, running reporter

     Al Langen can mark the beginning of his running career 12 years ago on Thanksgiving at the RADHH turkey race.  He had gotten himself in shape for a backpacking trip and had heard about race walking from his scouting pal of 35 years, Dave Barr.  So he decided to join Dave that day.  His biggest problem?  He had no idea how far “5k” was.  

            From that point forward, he started race walking, but then got into running, and he spends most of his training and racing running now.  He says his running has had its ups and downs over the years.  He usually runs very consistently from January through October, but likes to take November and December off.  So Al seems to be proof positive that you CAN take a break – something a lot of us doubt we  should do for fear that if we get out of the habit we won’t get back in.  He runs 3 or 4 days per week – totaling 15-20 miles.  The best part of Al’s running life ?  The chances he gets to run with Grandson Christopher – like he did at the Jingle Bell this year.  Now 71, he can still put a little heat on Christopher when they get close to the finish line !  

            Al and his wife Sue Ann have Seven Children (!) – spread out in the southern Indiana, Indianapolis, and Canton, New York areas.  Having retired from Sears after 34 years, he has put in another almost half a career of 14 years at Tri-State Bearing. ( Memo to self, ask Al if he’s got any bearings I could slip into my knees for a little help with some friction Ol’ Lou has been feeling lately).

            Al’s tip for other runners and walkers:  Just decide you are going to do it, and then be consistent.  Let your body tell you when it is time to rest, and listen to it.  If you get to feeling burned out, quit for a little while – your body will bring you back.

            Al’s best short joke:  ( By the way, this one is so bad, Ol’ Lou expressly disclaims any authorship rights to it) If a runner turns on the cold water  and the hot water in his sink, which one runs faster?  The hot, of course, because it is easy to catch cold.