Not running out of gas

When it comes to competitive distance running, Ron Poland is not your typical, run-of-the mill athlete.

Born with severe scoliosis — a 90-degree curvature of the spine — the 40-year-old Douglas County Special Olympics standout has developed a style all his own.

And if you take a moment to reflect on what Poland has achieved during his 20-plus years of training, you begin to realize just how unique he really is — both on and off the track.

“I’ve had a lot of ups and downs with my back, but even when it’s hurting a lot, you’re not gonna catch me sitting around,” said Poland, who is currently training with coach Dave Erickson for the Oct. 2-11 Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai, China.

“I try to do something every day, whether it’s running or riding my bike. I’m just going to keep going until my body tells me to give it up.”

Poland, who turns 41 on Saturday, is the lone Douglas County representative on the 10-person Oregon delegation to China.

He is one of five local Special Olympians who have been selected for the World Games, but few athletes ever get selected twice. Poland also represented Oregon at the 1995 World Games in Connecticut, and the odds weren’t in his favor to go a second time.

But even though he only had one ticket in the random drawing — compared to three tickets for the athletes who had never gone to Worlds — Poland’s name was drawn out of the hat for a second time.

“Not only is Ronnie a good runner, but he’s also a lucky runner,” said Erickson, who coaches seven local Special Olympics distance runners.

“I’m very excited for him because this is only the second time the World Games have been held outside the U.S. The other athletes are envious of him because they know what an honor it is to be chosen.”

Erickson added that luck is only part of the equation for Poland, a 1987 graduate of Douglas High School who now lives in Roseburg.

Poland has worked extremely hard for what he has accomplished, and he has shown no signs of slowing down.

In addition to winning back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007, Poland has also run nine marathons — one of which earned him a gold medal at the 1995 World Games.

“Ronnie is very dedicated and he always pushes himself at practice and in meets,” Erickson said. “It will be a challenge to get him ready to run at his peak level for Worlds. But we were able to get him there for state, so hopefully we can go even higher this time.”



GRADUAL PROGRESS

Erickson, a former teacher at Douglas High, remembers back to when Poland was a student in the mid-1980s.

He didn’t show much interest in running and spent most of his free time at home. But another former Douglas teacher, Ted Martch, managed to recruit Poland for the Special Olympics track team during his senior year.

“We could hardly get Ronnie to run once around the track back in high school,” Erickson said. “But he eventually took to it. Now we can’t slow him down.”

Poland said he used to doubt his physical abilities because of his scoliosis, but once he began setting goals for himself, all his fears subsided.

Prior to high school, he had two major back surgeries to help correct his condition. His spine was set at 60 degrees instead of 90, and a decade later, he was running the Portland Marathon.

“I wanted to prove to myself that I could overcome my disability,” said Poland, who spends his days working at Sunrise Enterprises in Roseburg.

“ My goal was to run one marathon and I’ve gone way beyond that. It’s taken a lot of training and a lot of guts, but I’ve gotten stronger each year. I don’t see myself stopping any time soon.”

Poland’s personal best time of 3 hours, 57 minutes came at the 1995 World Games. He also ran a 3:58 the next year in Portland, averaging about a 9-minute mile.

He averages about 10-minute miles these days, running at a 4:30 pace over 26.2 miles.

Poland credits Erickson and Martch for helping him realize his potential as a runner, and he hopes to make them proud at the World Games in October.

“One of the most important lessons that has helped me is that you don’t get better unless you learn from other people,” said Poland, who will compete in the 5,000 meters, 1,500 meters and 4x400 relay in China.

“You can’t pretend like you know everything or you won’t get very far. I’ve learned a lot from other people over the years and I’m going to keep running until I can’t do it no more.”



• You can reach sports reporter Dave Leder at 957-4221 or by e-mail at dleder@newsreview.info.