2/20/06 Since day one it has been the position of this administration to look to the future of the Pine Belt Pacers while still honoring its history. With that in mind, rarely have I taken the time to respond to fickle public opinion or the voices of a few who wish to prevent the club’s progress.

On this occasion, however, the attacks from "Mr. Anonymous", as our detractor identifies himself, are especially critical of both me and my good friends who have helped build the club from the "group of losers" Mr. Anonymous recalls to the thriving, valuable part of the community the Pine Belt Pacers are today.

Mr. Anonymous’ comments suggest current Pacers should make apologies for being "in perfect shape" and "qualifying for the Boston Marathon." Not surprisingly, we will offer no apologies for success. I would suggest, however, a truce in the interest of harmony. Should the old guard reconsider their use of spandex and knee-high, blue socks, we will consider canceling future trips to Boston.

While the comments in Mr. Anonymous’ letter are of little consequence to the future of the club I am certain, I must share that the current administration is not without fear or concern of a revolution. True, the silent minority he refers to is just that, a minority. However, the loyalty of a few Pacers is still in question. First and foremost is 2005 Grand Prix Champion Keith Barrett. To this point, Barrett has maintained allegiance to both the old guard and the current administration by running personal record after personal record despite maintaining his status as a masters runner, graying hair, back braces and all. And while Barrett still enjoys celebrating the finish of long runs at the back of a pickup, a tradition which Mr. Anonymous so fondly remembers, to this point Barrett has shown little preference – new or worn-out, the status of the vehicle seems of no matter to the Grand Prix Champion.

Also of concern is Running Bear, our Web master. It would appear on the surface that Mr. Anonymous and our Web master are fighting for the same cause, but consider that the URL for Mr. Anonymous’ post identifies him as TonyM, obviously revealing the troublemaker as the Pacers’ immediate past president Tony Mozingo. I can only conclude that Mozingo either underestimated Running Bear’s loyalty to the silent minority or his attention to detail. I will admit that there have been efforts on the part of some club members to remove Running Bear from office, but the plot was revealed by Elmer Beardshall, who infiltrated a meeting of those planning the coup just this week and I am told provided a full report to Running Bear.

While Running Bear and Barrett may pose problems for the current administration in the future, I’ll acknowledge that those worries pale in comparison to the concerns I have concerning Dr. John Pendergrass. Pendergrass’ recovery from a bicycle crash a few months ago has, not surprisingly, been quiet. The fact that the only detail I’ve received about his recovery is that it is "going well," is not comforting, especially to young, budding triathletes who are slow on the bike and even slower in the water. Known for training in secrecy, if Pendergrass were to sneak in another Ironman, the old guard would in fact, gain credibility.

The only way to settle this dispute, as best I can determine, is to lace up our running shoes and take it the streets. My flat-belly friends and I hereby challenge the old guard – you name the distance and the date (except of course for April 17; many of us younger folks will be in Boston that day). So Mr. Anonymous, round up all the high socks and spandex you can find and we’ll see you on the roads.

Run (old guard), while your knees still allow you to.

Jim