 |
|
|||
|
Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's |
 Sponsored by  |
Coach
Rich Schilder has been involved in the Boston running community for over thirty years. He ran Varsity Cross Country and Outdoor Track in Junior High, and continued with Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track at Newton North High School. After two abortive seasons of Cross Country at Lehigh University (cut short by mononucleosis during his freshman year, and knee difficulty during his sophomore year), he had a successful intramural running career bolstered by a growing fascination with road races and marathons, which had started in High School. He graduated Lehigh University with a Bachelors degree in 1980. Growing up just five blocks from Heartbreak Hill, and having watched the B.A.A. Boston Marathon for years, it was inevitable that one day he would at least try to run it once to see if he could succeed at this great challenge. It took three attempts to get his first Boston completion, although by that time he had already run a 2:56:35 in the inaugural 1977 Prevention Magazine Marathon in Emmaus, PA. In 1985, Rich joined the Greater Boston Track Club, becoming their Team Coordinator from 1986-89, Volunteer Coordinator from 1986-89 and becoming elected President in 1987-88 and 1988-89. During this time he also received his MBA from Bentley College. After a year-long break from running, he returned in 1990 and joined the Boston Athletic Association Running Club (BAA), leaving soon after to become a Charter member of the fledgling Boston Running Club (BRC) with whom he remained as a member for its decade-long existence from 1991-2000. Originally serving in a variety of volunteer positions, he became Volunteer Coordinator (1994-2000), Race Results Coordinator and Phoenix Record newsletter Editor (1996-2000), and eventually a member of the Board of Directors (1999-2000). Since 2001 he has been a regular member of the B.A.A. Running Club. In 1993, Rich was awarded the RRCA National Volunteer Award and in 1997 he received the Phoenix Award for community service from the BRC. Throughout this time, Rich was actively involved in road races, from 5K on up through marathon distances, even training and racing the 1500m, Mile, 3000m, 5000m and 10,000m on the indoor and outdoor track for three years in the mid-1990’s after a twenty-year break from competitive track. In March, 1992, he served as Athlete Liaison Coordinator during the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Boston, MA, managing 160 volunteers handling the day-to-day needs of the Junior and Senior teams from around the globe attending this prestigious event. In addition, from 1988-2000 he served each year as a host at John Hancock’s Marathon Village, taking care of the daily and race day needs of the elite, invited athletes competing in the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, as well as their coaches and invited guests. A USA Track & Field (USATF) Level 1-certified coach since 2002, he plans on becoming RRCA-certified and USATF Level 2-certified in 2010. Rich also coaches Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track for Bedford High School (a member of the Dual County League), as well as the adult, recreationally competitive Heartbreak Hill Striders running club. A veteran of roughly 52 marathons, with intimate experience with the B.A.A. Boston Marathon (18 times), New York City Marathon (13 times) and Chicago Marathon (7 times), he continues for his fifth year to bring his unique talents to bear as coach for the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2010 Boston Marathon and Fall Marathon Training Programs after starting with the Association in 2005-2006. Having run over 400 road races over the past 38 years, including roughly 75 10Ks, 25 consecutive Falmouth Road Races, 20 Mount Washington Road Races (the last 19 consecutively), 32 15Ks (including 12 consecutive Utica Boilermakers), 35 10-milers, 57 half marathons, at least 52 marathons, 1 50-mile attempt (1979) and 3 Iron Man completion (Lake Placid, 05, 07, 08). A seasoned marathoner with a PR of 2:47:38 (Boston, 1979), he still marathons twice a year and, despite being injured for the last year, he hopes to return to racing withing a few minutes of his recent peak marathon times. Most importantly, he still loves to run. He is an advocate for the sport, in all its aspects, and for runners of all ages and abilities, and firmly believes that athletics provides a fertile training ground for many of life’s major lessons, including dedication, loyalty, long-term planning, time-management, teamwork, healthy diet and lifestyle, and taking on and completing large challenges. He is grateful for the opportunity to help and encourage others to participate and find their level of success as well. The ability to do this through the Alzheimer’s Association fulfills a goal of his to help develop funds for research to find methods of early detection, as well as possible prevention and a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease in the near future, and provide funding for education, social service and other programs the Association provides. Each year, he dedicates a marathon to and fundraises -- either for the Boston or New York City Marathon -- in memory of his father, Dr. Herbert Schilder, who passed away in January, 2006, after suffering from Lewy Body Disease.
|
|
Richard Schilder
Chapter Headquarters National Headquarters 24/7 Helpline: 1.800.272.3900 |
 |
|||||
