November can be a cold time in Central New York, a time when many people just want to stay inside, keeping warm and watching television. For the running community it often means more, such as crisp, cool runs among the beautiful fall foliage. It is a time for marathons and community turkey trots. In fact, it was his local Thanksgiving Day running event nearly 25 years ago that got Dan Witmer involved in running. He ran the 5 mile Garden City (Long Island) Turkey Trot for the first time and has continued running ever since.
Dan did that Turkey Trot another 4 or 5 times beginning in the late 70s during his college years. He spent the next decade just running to prepare himself for specific races and would not run unless he had a race on his agenda. Then about ten years after that the Oswego County Runs for Fun series started. Runners taking part who complete at least 7 races in the year-long series are treated to a dinner and special award. Dan is one of a small group who has been part of the series since its inception ten years ago. It has helped keep him running as regularly as possible.
When asked what he gets out of running, Dan’s quick comeback is "Besides a ridiculous number of T-shirts?" But speaking seriously he admits, " I guess I get my best workouts of a lifetime. Coaching, teaching, and everything else keeps me active, but nothing makes you work as hard as a long run." He points out that on the small cul-de-sac where he lives, running has become a community thing. "We have so many runners on our street. It's not unusual for five of us to run in the same race: Ed Adamski, Linda and Ryan Grulich, Jodi Cary, and me!"
Training is not always easy for Dan due to his work and a variety of programs he is involved in. He is less concerned about the amount of miles he puts in versus the number of runs he gets in per week. This time of the year, he tries to run twice during the weekdays, usually around 5 a.m. and then twice on the weekends. As head coach for the SUNY Oswego lacrosse team, Dan occasionally gets out to run with his team.
Although his times in 5Ks and 10Ks do not compare to those of years gone by, Dan is okay with that. "I'm not built for speed; I'm built, if anything, for distance." Some of the PR’s he is most proud of were set at longer races such as the Arc Race half marathon (1:43:16) and the Ocean State Marathon (3:50:04.)
Besides the PR he set at the Ocean State Marathon, Dan also ran in the 2001 Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego. Although as a competitor he considers it his ‘bad’ marathon as it included a 45 minute stop at a medical tent and a walk to the finish line, on the humanitarian side it is an accomplishment that he is proud of. He ran it as part of the Leukemia Society's Team in Training. "I raised more money than required and felt like I was really helping to make a difference. My primary contributors were Hannibal staff and college lacrosse coaches from all over the country. It was a great trip and an amazing experience."
Over the years Dan has participated in many races, with one of his favorites being the Utica Boilermaker. He first ran it in 1999 and vowed to do it every year after. Well, the best laid plans can often fall apart and he was not able to run it again until this year. Still, it was everything he remembered, from the incredible number of runners and spectator support, to the post-race bash. Alongside with this high profile, well-attended event he is also fond of a small race held in Oswego each year, the Alzheimer's Memory Run. It was at this small race that he experienced something he feels all runners should, the thrill of finishing first overall. Small or not, it was a great feeling crossing the finish line first!
Dan is in his 22nd year at Hannibal High School teaching twelfth grade English, along with a College English course and a Children’s Literature elective which he created. He chairs the scholarship committee, and serves on the Professional Development Partnership committee that works to better connect the college with student teaching situations. Additionally, Dan has been coaching the Oswego State men's lacrosse team for the same number of years, and two years ago he started directing the college’s first overnight sports camp (The Oswego State Lacrosse Camp, for boys ages 8-15.) And although it has been 17 years since he took any graduate classes, he is back in the classroom as a student taking a class this semester on Literature of the Beat Generation.
Formerly from Lynbrook, Long Island, Dan has been settled in the Oswego area since he was in college. He now resides in Minetto with his wife Sue (who also does some running) and their children Brian and Eric. He and Sue enjoy attending their sons’ sporting events which include soccer and lacrosse. He also likes reading and watching television. Besides running he is also active in other sports, playing both ice hockey and indoor soccer.
November, 2003
