Thinking about Rogo…

As I’ve started logging miles and preparing for more ultra-runs, I’m thinking more and more about Rogo. 

 Rogo is the nickname of Tom Rogozinski, who was an alum from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.   He just missed being a cross country all-american, which still amazes me because he is the toughest runner I’ve ever met. 

Just to give you some perspective, one of my first times meeting Rogo was out at Al Patti’s, a bar in Indiana, PA.  We had all been drinking since the early afternoon following our race against the alumni.  When the clock struck midnight, Rogo chugged his beer, put his cup down on the bar, and simply said “let’s go.” 

Thinking he wanted to head back to the cross country house, I did the same.  However, upon reaching the sidewalk out in front of the bar, Rogo began to job away from the cross house.  Confused, we all started following suit.  Before I realized it, we were out doing Creekside, a hilly 15-mile loop…dressed in street clothes.  I was lucky, in that I had shorts and Timberland sandals on.  However, one fellow, Chris Kashak, was wearking Doc Marten’s without socks…ouch!!!

 I also remember another year when Rogo ran from Pittsburgh up to IUP (about 60 miles) on a Friday, only to race (and finish in the top-10) at the alumni race the next morning. 

However, the reason I say Rogo is the toughest runner I’ve ever met is because of his 2002 TransAmerica run.  On the 37th day of the race (where runners covered between 28-64 miles per day), Rogo found himself leading the overall race.  On that particular day, he passed 25 miles in 3:21 and continued on, taking the 58.85 mile stage in 8:07:53.  Rogo would continue to lead much of the race, until slowed by injuries.   As Robert Thomas wrote in his New York Times article:

The race’s youngest competitor, Tom Rogozinski, 22, of Pittsburgh, led the race for six days in Kansas and Missouri before developing a stress fracture, and led the field with 16 stage victories…

Upon entering Ohio, Rogo got a stress fracture in his other leg.  Despite having two stress fractures, the guy hung on to finish third:

Runner’s World Trans America Footrace
Huntington Beach CA to New York NY
June 20 to August 22, 1992 – 2935.8 miles

1. David Warady, 35, USA CA – 521:35:57
2. Milan Milanovic, 32 SUI – 527:16:21 (+5:40:24)
3. Tom Rogozinski, 24 USA – 528:48:54 (+7:12:57)

When asked about his stress fracture in a December 1992 article for Runner’s World, Rogo’s quote was simply –

“Pain is pain, and that’s all it is.  It’s not going to get worse, and it’s not going to kill me.  I’m going to New York.“ 

So, next time I’m hurting and feeling sorry for myself when “bonking” on a run — I’m simply going to repeat over and over in my head — “Pain is pain, and that’s all it is.”  After all, ultra-running is not going to kill me…is it?