Questions

You helped organize a special breakfast yesterday in Rock Creek Park. Why? We were marking the end of the two-year period where we committed to watering the new trees that we planted in our Grove Memorial, which is dedicated to club members who have died. The event was a chance for members to think about what the Grove means. It was also a way to thank all the people who did so much work to keep the trees alive. Carrying those buckets of water up the hill in ninety degree summer heat was really a lot of work.

 

Many years ago, you stopped running after a knee injury. Was it hard adjusting to being a walker? No, not at all. I was living in Taiwan in 1978, running six miles a day, three times a week. I was starting to feel the runners’ high so I ran through my knee injury thinking it would get better but it just got worse. So I stayed off it completely to let it get better, which it did, and after that I started walking.

 

What do you like about walking? Part of it is the route. I walk through the National zoo, which opens its gates at 6am. I observe the plants and animals - cheetahs, beavers, foxes, deer, all kinds of birds, wood ducks. It is especially interesting to see them all so early when there are not so many people around.

 

Where did you get your love of nature? I think from growing up in Cleveland, Ohio. My father would take us walking and hiking around Lake Erie when he wanted to get away from things for awhile. Then I started to read nature books to be able to identify things.

 

Were you torn last year when Cleveland was competing with Washington to host the Gay Games? I wasn’t really torn. Cleveland was somewhere I grew up but as soon as I could leave I did and I never wanted to look back. Cleveland is a big city but it has a parochial feel to it. However, when I heard how so many people turned out in Cleveland to support their bid, it made me happy. Apparently things have changed.

 

Why did you join Front Runners? I liked the idea of a bunch of gay people getting up in the morning to run a few miles. I figured those were the kind of people I would have something in common with.

 

What was your first impression? Actually, at first, in the early years, it was kind of hard to break into the cliques, to talk to people. After the first year I was really thinking about not coming back.

 

So you did not find us warm and inviting? No I did not. But since then, I’ve seen a real change. Now we always welcome new people, go around the group and give our names. It has definitely become friendlier. We’ve gotten more members, younger members and some very enthusiastic ones. 

 

How did the walking circuit come about? That was an idea of mine. I thought it would be good if walkers came to the races not just to cheer along the runners but to participate too. So about four years ago, Marcel Acosta and I identified some walks and added them to the club’s race circuit.

 

Next year is our 30th anniversary. How would you like us to celebrate?  I am really glad about this film documentary we are making, especially the focus on how things were when the club began and how they are now. It’s easy to just relax and say ‘things have always been this way.’ I remember how difficult being gay was thirty years ago. It seems to me there is a lot to celebrate.

 

Which club member inspires you? Lennie Carter. I had a chance once to talk to him about his life. I was blown away by his ability to change course when things weren’t working, to take difficult decisions and start a whole new life by moving to Washington. He has a positive attitude and a lot of enthusiasm. I think he is very brave.

 

What is your motto in life? Laugh. I think being happy and content is to some extent a choice. I always try to find the smile in things.

Interview by Brian Beary, Design by Marcel Acosta

November 2010