My Rick Springfield story

[darkstar]

I used to work as crew member for shows around Springfield MO and neighboring Branson (where I also worked some theater PA installs.). Anyhow, I was set to crew a Rick Springfield show in 93 or so, so a bit after his pop chart heyday, that was in an 800 seater. Our local crew leader calls me one evening, and knowing I ran 10ks and triathlons, said RS’s management wanted somebody to take him out on a 5-6 mile run on day of show.

Now my base speed for 10ks was 6:50 or so, and I did most of my training at 7:10-15 mark. Nothing special at all if you know about distance running. In fact, less than mediocre. So I plot out a traffic-avoiding route from the venue a couple of days before hand with my car, 3 miles out and 3 miles back.

Day of show, I get out of load in work bc of my running host duties. Get introduced, get outside and begin running. Some small talk from me—where you off to next, how many shows in tour, etc—and he’s as affable and amiable as can be. About a mile in he starts pressing the pace. We had probably been at 7:10 pace or so and we’re now, say, 7ish. Now he starts talking to me, asking me about if there were any Thai restaurants near his hotel, shows I was working next, etc. I’m not lying: dude was not breathing hard at all and I was not able to keep up the chatter because I was huffing and puffing so hard. Then at halfway mark, he presses pace further and now I’m near or at my 6 mile race pace and he’s still not breathing hard, no harder than a guy out mowing his lawn.

In short, dude was in shape! It’s not the sort of thing you expect from a touring musician even if they aren’t the partying type, at least not in my limited experience, given irregular schedules, bus life, etc.

I suppose that’s it except to share the canned line I developed across the decades: I got hot and sweaty and did some heavy breathing with Rick Springfield!

[multigraincracker]

1. I partied with the band in the 80s after a show.

Rick was pretty cool and didn’t stick around very long.
But the. Drummer was nuts.

[darkstar]

4. Drummers are always the crazy ones

in my experience as well.

[Niagara]

2. I still listen to and watch Rick Springfield YouTube videos

I had a Rick Springfield silk screen print t-shirt when I was 8 years young.

The man is still rocking out live!

[darkstar]

3. Yeah and clearly still super fit, right?

He’s still got the classic distance runner frame.

[Niagara]

5. He's clearly fit

I know he has depression issues so being able to maintain that fitness is incredible.

I generally end up gaining weight when I hit the depression wall.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. Great Story

I have one of my own, and posted it here a few times over the years.
As I was reading your post, I kept thinking "Yeah, I can buy that."
He aleays did seem like he was in awfully good shape.

[darkstar]

7. Hey PGAC...

Can you give me the thumbnail sketch of your tale?

[ProfessorGAC]

8. I'll PM You

[Bayard]

9. I am quite impressed!

Wonder if he's still running? Are you?

[darkstar]

10. Not running these days

but swimming. Easier on the joints. But, from the looks of things, I’m guessing Rick still has some sort of workout regimen.

And by “impressed,” I gather it’s with him and his pace. Sounds like you have a running background, ie know what his likely 6 min mile (lower?) pace means in the scheme of things?

[Bayard]

11. Yuppers

I'm impressed with him and you!

I miss running. Woman, in my 30's at the time, my best 5K time was 21:45 (funny how you still remember years later.) I ripped a hamstring running a half-marathon, and it never recovered.

I was married to a fanatical runner for 30 years--the kind that could do 5 minute miles. After the split, I threw away many boxes of old running trophies. Unfortunately, that also included a few of mine that snuck in there.

I can't swim. These days, I focus on riding my horse, gardening, and farm work.