The Four Horsemen

Outlined against a blue, gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again.
In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are: Rossi, Haney, Krassan and Curley.

For several weeks I’ve been dreading the last day in October and the apex of training millage for a marathon….the 20 miler. It’s been hanging over my head like an unpaid bill that I knew I’d have to deal with it at some point. Weeks ago I made incredibly wise decision to trek down to Shamong, New Jersey on Halloween so I wouldn’t have to log the twenty miles alone. After a carb load and an early exit to bed the night before, I was up at 3:30 Saturday morning and out the door by 4:00. I met Rob Rossi, Rob Haney and Ira Krassan at the Rossi house a bit before 5:00, and we were on our way a few minuets later. Rossi had mapped out a 10 mile loop that we were to run around twice. Rossi was certainly right when he pointed out that it would be like running two completely different courses since the first lap would be done in absolute darkness, and the second lap shortly after the sun came up. Rossi also practiced the seven 7 P’s: “Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance” with cones set at every mile mark, water, Gatorade and oranges slices stashed at strategic spots throughout the loop.

I knew in the back of my mind that that the miles would pass more quickly while running with friends, but since I was used to running alone, I didn’t realize how much the camaraderie would help pass the miles. While the four of us ran, we covered a number of topics: tattoos on runners, Fred “Ogre" Palowakski, Ira excelling at his job, Rob Haney’s patents, the need for more parental supervision in the Shamong area, the Phillies in the World Series, fantasy football and the amount of songs Rossi has on his ipod. Mrs. Colleen Rossi was the MVP of the day though. On the morning of her 41st birthday, Colleen headed out a little after 6:00am to find the four of us and deliver the best tasting oranges I’ve ever had. I think Rob Haney and one of the oranges are technically married now. After a quick photo-op for Colleen, we continued on through Medford Lakes, passing Camp Ockanickon where I had spent some of the most memorable days as a kid.

Beyond the physical training that comes with completing 20 miles, there is also a mental aspect to passing this literal milestone. I feel like another six miles is well within my grasp. Armed with that knowledge, I’m looking forward to November 22nd more and more.


At mile 16 I thought I was dead. At mile 17 I wished I was dead. At mile 18 I knew I was dead. At mile 20 I realized I had become too tough to kill.

Thanks for reading,

Curls