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The Cranston Street Armory Remembered

In our most recent episode of the Runners Reunion podcast Tom Mortimer reminisced on his first trip to the Cranston Street Armory to watch his brother run in a track meet for Pilgrim High School. Like Tom, my first recollection of the Armory was the distinct smell of Atomic Balm, which at the time seemed to be the latest fad to cure any soreness in your legs. Despite being a pretty lousy track to run on, most runners I know who ran there have fond memories of competing in a unique building during the height of the running boom.

The Armory was built in 1907 and designed by architects William Walker and Sons who built many other public buildings around the state. The Gothic Medieval structure as described by Tom is evident in its castle-like appearance with the famous large heavy wooden doors at the entrance. I believe the last track meet at the Armory may have been held in 1981 the year the main hall closed due to structural problems.

If it wasn’t for a bit of fate I may never have had the experience of competing in the Armory. As a senior I ran cross country for the first time at Cumberland High School under legendary Harry Gederman who also happened to be my guidance counselor. My goal was to get in shape for the upcoming wrestling season and to avoid after school work. When I showed up for the first cross country practice the only thing Harry said to me was “you are a little late”. The comment didn’t bother me as it was probably warranted since I was a mediocre student and athlete with a 3-4-1 wrestling record as a junior. Harry likely thought that trend would continue and I would be wasting my time (and his) trying to compete with some of the top runners in the state at Cumberland. After a few 5th man finishes on the team, and a surprising state championship victory over a heavily favored Lasalle, he asked me one day getting on the team bus “where have you been?”

Despite the success I had on the cross country team there was an expectation, both mine and coach Steve Gordon’s, that I would wrestle for a winter sport. I should have known early on in the season that my heart wasn’t in it as my favorite part of practice was when we were sent outside to run laps in front of the school. Back inside when I was rolling around the mat the indoor track team would walk through the gym on their way home from the Armory. It was clear I wasn’t having any fun and they were. This daily routine went on for about three to four weeks before I found my window of opportunity to get on the track team.

The first meet of the season was the annual “Take Down Tournament” held at RIC. A few days before the event a “wrestle off” was held to see who would make the team to represent their designated weight class. I was an incumbent competing against a sophomore who was a wiry and talented up and comer. The match went back and forth right down to the very end. We were tied with less than 30 seconds left when my opponent shot in for a successful take down. If I hadn’t been in great shape from the cross country season he would have likely destroyed me. It was a bitter defeat that occurred just as the track team was returning from the Armory. To make matters worse one of the track team members Walter Grant jumped on the mat and started wrestling me. Walter had about 20 pounds on me and got the better of me. At that moment I decided I was going to leave wrestling and join the indoor track team.

The next day I left my wrestling gear at home and packed my track gear. I asked Tom Kenwood if I could join the team and he indicated they could use me in the distance events. Steve Gordon was not so happy and neither was my Dad. The bus ride to the Armory, which was an event itself, quickly dispelled any guilty feelings as I was back with my friends on the track team which included some of the top athletes from the school from football and baseball teams. I had never run on a wooden track that was 10 laps to the mile with tight and slippery turns. Needless to say I was getting “spanked” in those first workouts back. I vividly remember getting crushed by Steve Mazzone running 440’s. Steve was in his element as a middle distance runner and bounced along the track effortlessly. I struggled to run 75’s but managed to complete the workouts. I also learned that the “Armory Cough” was a right of passage for running hard either in practice or your race. I quickly came to the conclusion that one of the secrets to navigating the Armory was to have a good pair of shoes that wouldn’t slip on the wooden floor.

Our top distance runner Walter Grant somehow found the ultimate Armory shoe at Doyle’s sporting goods. They were pure white Pumas with a black outsole. The outsole had approximately 200 cone shaped soft rubber knobbies that would grip and propel Walter through the tight turns. Everyone wanted a pair but apparently Walter got the last one. While the shoe may have been good for the Armory they probably wore out quickly if a road runner purchased them. Perhaps Jim Doyle discontinued stocking them because they wore out quickly and he had to deal with an overabundance of dissatisfied customers with returns. We may never know.

I settled on the next best option at the time which for the distance corps was the Nike Elite. Armed with an Armory compatible shoe my workouts improved after a 2-3 week struggle to keep up. Fortunately my running improved quickly and in early February I had a breakthrough race and my first win. We were running against Pilgrim and I was in the 2 mile competing against one of their All State distance aces. I went out and shadowed him going through the mile in 5:12 (I think) and it felt easy. I could sense he was laboring and at that point I knew I was going to win and covered the last mile in 5:10 for a 25 second improvement in my previous best time. With Steve Miller’s “Jungle Love” playing endlessly on the boombox, times kept dropping for the entire team and Cumberland won the RI State Meet overwhelmingly that season.

The late 70’s was a unique time to be a kid growing up and getting swept up by the running boom. We all grew up during the Vietnam era and witnessed Nixon resign in disgrace for his misdeeds. He was elected to restore law and order during a turbulent time. With Nixon resigned to walking the beach checking out the surf at San Clemente, disorder seemed to rule the day for the remainder of the decade. The drinking age of 18 seemed like a bargaining chip to justify sending 18 year olds off to Nam only added fuel to the fire. As such I would be remiss not to tell a few mad and crazy tales of disorder at the Armory that stick in my mind.

During one dual meet a runner from LaSalle that our team was friendly with came to watch the races. He was 18 and it was Friday night. Evidently he couldn’t pass up the 50 cent drafts across the street from the Armory. I cannot recall specifics but somehow he opened Tom Kenwood's “box” which included a starter's pistol. In his altered state he couldn’t help but pick up the pistol for further investigation. His timing was perfect as a runner was rounding the bend heading into the last lap. RI Running Legend Ray Dwyer was the starter and had his pistol pointed toward the ceiling ready to fire it for the last lap. Just as Ray was about to pull the trigger the pistol the LaSalle spectator was holding fired off. I will never forget Ray’s quizzical look as he inspected his pistol that he thought went off without him pulling the trigger. Tom Kenwood knew what happened right away and sprinted over to where the Cumberland team was standing. He was furious and likely the only time in his career that he yelled. I think John Grundy bore the brunt of the justified rage due to his proximity to the inebriated LaSalle fan. While John was explaining he “didn’t do it” I believe the LaSalle fan escaped through the crowd. He likely went back for another 50 cent draft and a hot wiener. Fortunately the drinking age was raised in a few short years as common sense prevailed over the political bargaining chip for Vietnam.

For some competitors the lure of 50 cent drafts and hot wieners at establishments on Cranston St. were too enticing to pass up. On one occasion there was a runner who had won both his races and slipped out of the Armory for an early celebration not realizing he would be needed for the relay. Once his teammates realized his predicament they ran across the street to summon him for the anchor leg. Fueled with Narragansett Lager and world famous hot wieners he was off. His new found fueling regimen didn’t quite cut it and the relay was lost. I also seem to remember a baton heading toward the ceiling at the finish. Unfortunately, despite all his talents, this runner’s behavior became increasingly problematic and he never realized his full potential on or off the track.

Although the Armory has not been used for track meets for more than 40 years its spirit lives on at any track meet. Young men and women learn to test their limits and, for the most part, control their destiny for athletic success free of politics. The sidelines continue to be a separate sideshow as lifelong friendships develop between races and events as track continues to be one of the most participated in sports in high school. After attending countless high school and college meets over the recent years I think Nixon would be proud as it seems behavior has improved too!

Notes: Both Tom Kenwood and Steve Gordon went on to Hall of Fame careers as coaches. I would like to thank them for their passion and support of the countless young men and women they have mentored. Although Steve Mazzone no longer rules the boards of the Armory his passion for the sport continues to this day in his media coverage of high school track and field. *These events are how I remembered them and may or may not have occurred in the order as noted.

 

 

 

 

 

Cross Country - The Pre-Season

Every August I reflect with good memories my first cross country season in 1977 at Cumberland High School.  I still look forward to each new season for the largest participatory sport (including Track & Field) behind Football in the United States.  Although times have changed, much of the sport has remained the same with its simplicity, objectivity and the camaraderie among teammates and competitors.

My first pre-season began prior to my senior year about mid-August when on a whim I decided I would go out for the x-country team.  When I told my mom I was going out for the team her response was a quick and assertive “you can’t run”.  Mom was being mom and this did not bother me a bit as she did not know what I knew.  Years earlier in middle school I had a few experiences with running that made me think otherwise.  During this time I was friends with the Grundy brothers.  Their older brother Tom was already a legend in RI after a standout career at URI and on the local road racing scene.  His 2-mile record of 9:05 seemed superhuman at nearly 4:30 per mile for the distance.

During the summer in middle school there was occasionally talk of the Thomas Leighton Blvd. Plat Record which consisted of the main loop in the neighborhood.  John Grundy held the standard for the approximate ½ mile loop in 3:09 (I believe).  Legend has it that he was paced by Tom and set an untouchable standard.  I do not recall many of us going for it but I made at least two attempts at it.  In order to achieve the record time you had to be on pace to pass the first fire hydrant at 15 seconds.  With my Ann & Hope John Havlicek sneakers on I passed the first checkpoint in about 15 seconds eventually drifting off the record pace to finish in 3:19.  I made at least one other attempt using Dave Grundy’s sneakers that had no insoles.  It was pretty close to running barefoot with the exception of a thin hard plastic outsole.  I didn’t match my 3:19 but was close.  Other than a decent timed mile through the trails at North Cumberland middle school that was the extent of my running prior to entering high school.   

My motivation to join the team my senior year was twofold.  I took a very light course load as a senior (which turned out to be a mistake) and didn’t want to get a job. I also wanted to get in shape for the upcoming wrestling season to improve on my 3-4-1 record.  I was within six points of a 6-1-1 record having lost 3 matches by one point.  I thought the extra fitness may help with closing my matches and turn the tides from being one of the weak links on the team.  Either way that was my justification despite the real reason that I did not want to work after school.

I can still remember my first pre-season run in high school.  I ditched my Ann & Hope John Havlicek sneakers and was now wearing Pro Keds. After a day spent carrying two heavy golf bags for 18 holes as a caddy at Kirkbrae Country Club and walking roughly 5-7 miles, I set out on my first run.  My plan was to run to LaFayette Lodge on Nate Whipple Highway for an out and back course of approximately 2 miles.  LaFayette Lodge coincidently is where the famous Arnolds Mills 4th of July Road Race starts. Other than my calf muscles being really sore I was able to complete the run without stopping and after a few days extended the distance to the Fire Station where the Arnolds race finishes for a distance of nearly 3 miles.  Eventually the muscle soreness wore off and I began to feel better over the next two weeks.

My daily jaunts would take me by the Grundy’s house and I likely stopped to chat it up with the three younger boys and filled them in with my plan which probably provided them with some late summer amusement.  It was rumored incoming freshman Dan was running as many as three times per day to prepare for his first high school season.  This regimen was incomprehensible to me as I was pushing it to run 2-3 miles a day.  

One evening late in the summer I mixed it up and ran in the opposite direction and up Reservoir Road.  As the late summer daylight hours dwindled my runs would end in near darkness.  I do recall one evening a car pulling up alongside me in the near darkness with the lights on.  The car slowed and I noticed it was John Grundy driving with Dan hiding in the back seat.  I think curiosity got the better of them and they were checking out to see how my training was going.  I cannot recall if we discussed it then but a few days later we were off to Doyles Sporting Goods to buy my first pair of running shoes. With my Brooks Villanova’s I was now fully committed to joining the team.  I soon realized I didn’t know what I was missing as the new shoes made a world of difference in the feel and pace of my runs. 

On the first day of school I had my running gear with me so I would be ready for practice after classes.  It was the late 70’s so I do not think there were any specific requirements for joining a team other than showing up.  That morning in the school foyer I bumped into Ken Feather who was one of the team’s veterans and among the top runners on the team. I knew Ken and told him that I was going out for the team and planned on being at practice that day.  Ken scoffed and chuckled and did not say much.  He said enough however and I translated his response to “you are a fool”.  

The coach at Cumberland was the legendary Harry Gederman who also doubled as my guidance counselor.  Harry obviously knew about my mediocre academic career and likely heard about my weak link status on the wrestling team in the teachers lounge from Steve Gordon the wrestling coach.  I had no idea what I was doing when I got to practice and reluctantly went on a “warm up” run with the team before the real running started.  I was hesitant because I wanted to conserve as much energy as possible for the core workout.  After the warm up run the team was standing around waiting for Harry to give the instructions for the workout.  Based on my recollection Harry obviously saw me standing there so I decided to speak up and told Harry I was going out for the team.  I can clearly remember him responding rather bluntly “You are a little late”.  Looking back that was the response I needed as it deepened my resolve to embark on a journey that would be very difficult and ultimately rewarding. Welcome to the team!