At the 1982 Pre Classic, Joe Fabris Claimed His Spot In Miler History
In high school, 1976, I ran the mile in 4:34. If you don’t know, that’s a good mark, but not the kind of time that will get you a scholarship. It didn’t even get me into league finals.
So how did I find myself on the starting line of the 1982 Prefontaine Classic Mile?
To this day I think junior colleges are saviors. I was welcomed at San Jose City on the running teams, joining some of my same HS teammates and kids from other schools in the league.
Those two years were great for me. I lived at home, I saved my money, I got my AA and that gave me an inside track to the UC and Cal State campuses. And I got to run.
I improved. By the time I was a sophomore, our team won a State XC title and I ran the 1500m in 3:50.8 (about what, 4:07 for the mile?) and was 5th at the State Championship.
That helped me get books & tuition at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. A great Division II program with a great coach.
I left Poly in ’81 with a 3:46 1500m and a 4:05 mile.
As I improved, so did my goals. Now I wanted to make the Olympic team. The Dream.
I came out college fast-ish but still not fast enough. I had friends who got on the Athletics West, Santa Monica, and Sub-4 Track Clubs. Those were the best teams on the west coast.
I joined the Converse Aggies, a local team mostly famous for inventing the Bay to Breakers Centipede. But we had (and have to this day, as the Hoka Aggies), scrappy underdog grit.
I had a small Converse trust fund (you couldn’t get paid in the 70/80’s, but that’s a whole other story), and I got shoes and a travel budget. But I still had to get an engineering gig at IBM to pay the bills and chase the dream.
Through fast talking, creative story telling, and being pretty consistent, I had folk like Peanut Harms cajoling big meet promoters like Al Franken and Tom Jordan to give me chances. Thank you, you guys.
I chased fast races, looking for every opportunity to get in with a good field, and get a qualifying mark.
The Sub 4 mantle is a sacred one among milers. Back in late 70’s and early ‘80s, Bayi, Walker, Ovett and Coe were banging on the World Record. They took it from 3:51.1 to 3:48.33. Still, in any given year only between 5 to 15 US guys broke through and made THE LIST of SUB 4 MILERS.
This was also an era where the mile winners, even in big meets, didn’t always break 4. So there was occasionally room-at-the-Inn for a consistent 4:0x miler who might take it out or try to keep it fast.
And that’s how I found myself in the field at Pre. If I could pay my own way up, they had room in the mile, and a room at the (Campus) Inn. I was a two-fer, as my teammate and roommate Ivan Huff (he was a sub 8:40 steepler) was on that trip with me. Two guys, one hotel room. We were a good deal.
The Race Itself
Prefontaine is a big deal meet. It’s at the venerable Hayward Field on the University of Oregon. Its stands are full. It’s loud and colorful. It’s a life affirming feeling just to be on the track. Kids will even ask for an autograph.
The ‘82 mile had a good field. For sure I had the worst spec sheet, but I was excited to leverage this opportunity to “do what you know you can do” and try to get an Olympic Qualifying time.
On the line next to me was a teammate from Cal Poly, Danny Aldridge, now running for Athletics West. That was a comfort to have a friend in a field that included Sydney Maree (a US record holder). Ray Flynn (Irish Olympian), Filbert Bayi (former World Record holder), and about 8 others. There was no rabbit.
The gun. 59 first lap. Then 1:59, and 2:59 – one lap to go and I realized the opportunity was there. I was always afraid of the gorilla jumping on my back, so I told myself to wait, be patient, stay relaxed until 200 to go.
I chased Danny down the final hundred, pulling abreast of his red and white singlet and his bright blond hair at the line. I swear to this day that I got him in a lean. But we were in Nike Town, and he was Athletics West. They gave it to Danny (smiley face emoji). “Who lean’s for eighth place?”, he said to me as we stooped, hands on knees, panting after the line.
The next thing he said was “Put me down, put me down, you’re crushing me, I can’t breathe!!” because I’d picked him up and hugged him so hard when I saw the scoreboard and we both ran 3:58.3. Maree won in 3:54.1 and 11 of us dipped, a record number at the time.
My first thought: “I got my time and I MADE THE LIST!”
That same night my roomie Ivan got a big PR in the steeple.
We cooled down on Pre’s trails, excitedly talking about the races, the crowd, the experience. I looked down at my watch as we passed a mile marker. I knew we were cloud-nining when I saw we’d just run a 4:50 during the cool down (wouldn’t it have been poetic to hit a 4:34?).
The Afterlife
I’m going up to Eugene May 28th to watch the Prefontaine Meet. It was 40 years ago for my sub 4 race on the greatest track in America. I can’t wait to see a bunch of young lithe high kneed quick footed athletes do what they do best and chase their dreams.
I kept running through the 1984 Olympic Trials. I quit my job and went back to Cal Poly for an MBA and the chance to train with Ivan, Carmelo Rios, and Doug Avrit. All Poly teammates, all with Olympic Trials qualifying marks, all trying to make the ’84 team. I gave it my all, but I didn’t make that next step you need to be in the Olympic Stadium.
After getting bounced in the first round of the US Trials, I hung up my spikes, went back to IBM with my engineering degree and a new MBA, got married and started a family and a fun career in tech.
If there is anything someone could take from my time on the track, it is that just because you are average at something you love, that doesn’t mean you can’t progress. Take what life throws at you. If the passion is there, the drive, the patience, and the help of people who want to see you follow your dreams, then there are still chances to shine and find fulfillment. Luck favors the prepared. And even if you never make your Olympics, you can enjoy the ride, and perhaps even make it on a list.
Editor’s Note: Joe is a terrific and generous board member for the USA Track & Field Foundation and for AthleteBiz and the Fan Hub
