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pragmatics would come along later – along with a
whole lot more knowledge about proper run training techniques
– and a realization of some later year challenges
that might not be quite so obvious to a young man who
had yet to celebrate his 30th birthday.
“I definitely did not
lay a ground plan to get from zero to 100,000 miles; it
would happen by itself through a lot of other goals along
the way,” suggested Perdue. “I would think
it was fair to call it a very soft goal at that time.”
A love of data management certainly helped
as the runner logged every single workout, utilizing nothing
more complicated than a simple Excel spreadsheet and a
series of binders that now number 43 – one for each
and every year that Perdue has run.
“I honestly don’t look back
at them, but I have them and I love them,” he smiled.
“I think that has kept me going at times when life
takes turns.”
Make no mistake – Vince Perdue is
a goal-setter, by nature. In 2015, he crossed off the
bucket list item that required him to complete a marathon
in each and every province and territory in the country.
He would run the Around the Bay 30 km Road Race for 25
consecutive years.
Also make no mistake that this is definitely
not about building up a showcase of trophies and medals
and such. “I’ve won only one race in my life
(New Liskeard Ten Miler around 2004 or so) – and
that was because the guy who was in first place got lost,”
he exclaimed.
But even as the impressive 21 year streak
came to an end a few years ago – only because he
had to spend a few nights in the hospital after being
struck by a car while riding his bike – the cast
was set for what was now clearly a lifestyle choice. “I
was actually not unhappy that streak got broken,”
Perdue explained.
“It would have been hard to break
away from it otherwise, so it didn’t bother me to
have a forced day off. Now, I haven’t taken a day
off since December 27th.”
“I just do it; it’s part of
me.”
As one might expect, his running has changed.
Since 2015 or so, there are fewer races – and absolutely
no concerns about pacing. “My shuffling / walk-running
is now in the back forty at Laurentian trails and on the
Moonlight trails – going slowly and taking photographs.”
“I run well within myself now. There
is no need for me to do anaerobic training. I really don’t
stress myself very much at all.”
And while he would readily admit that
there were times when he ran though the wise choice would
have clearly been to reward himself with a day off, Perdue
is also very much in tune with his body. “You shouldn’t
run in pain but you can run in discomfort – and
you have to understand the difference,” said the
man who religiously maintains a five day a week practice
of doing ten minutes of core strength work, on the side.
“I believe it keeps me going forward
more than anything else.”
And go forward he did, until the time
came on the morning of (Saturday) February 11th that the
stars would align. That is only partially true as the
passing of time has seen Perdue bid adieu, in this world
at least, to both his very close friend Steve
Matusch (in 2020) and his beloved wife Lise
nine months later.
Just over two months ago, however, Perdue
was one day away from his goal, planning to hit the mark
on February 12th. Lise’s best friend, Sylvie Guenette,
had come out for a Saturday morning group run only to
find out she would be running alone this particular morning.
“As it worked out, we would meet
up,” recalled Perdue. “We never run together
– except that day. With a mile left to go, I told
her: this is going to happen today. That was very rewarding
for me.”
Some 43 years after the incredible voyage
started, Vince Perdue allowed himself a little time to
appreciate the milestone, one which started with a single
step.
“When I passed the 100,000 mark,
I couldn’t share it with them (Lise or Steve) in
person, but over the ether, I definitely did.”
“I miss them so much.”
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