by Chuck Van Duzee

It was a beautiful morning in Chicago and Pam was surrounded by 40,000 runners. Trying not to trip or be tripped, she felt someone stepping on her heel. Quickly turning in stride, she saw her shoe flying away from her; dodging through the mass of people, she grabbed it and found her way to the curb where she could put it on with some safety. This is how Pam began the 2005 Chicago Marathon. Even with this and three port-a-potty stops she finished the marathon in 4 hours, 3 minutes with negative splits. Pam had trained all summer in Bradenton’s heat and humidity for her first marathon with veteran mara- thoner Tom Richardson on very early morning long runs. They were seen together so often that some thought Tom had adopted Pam.
Pam was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where mom and dad were students at LSU. Upon graduation, dad started his active Army service in Germany. The Army then sent Pam’s family, which now included a new
brother, to El Paso, Texas where dad completed his active service. He remained in the Army Reserves while starting his civilian life, first in New Orleans where Pam finished elementary school and then
Jacksonville for high school. Pam earned her Bachelors in Music Education from LSU and stayed on in Baton Rouge for a few additional years to teach band at a local high school. Her Masters was earned at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The common thread through all these years was Pam’s trumpet. Besides an occasional jog to keep in shape for soccer her main interest in high school and college was band and particularly marching band. The side benefit, of course, was a
good seat at all LSU and Tennessee football games. As a grad student in Knoxville she didn’t march with the band but served as part of their band staff to fulfill her graduate assistantship.
Southeast High School’s search for a band direc- tor brought Pam back to Florida. Here she oversees the entire band program including: marching, jazz, chamber ensembles and two concert bands.
Pam checked the BRC Web site to see if there was a Bradenton running scene. This prompted a call to Alan Meyer (our former president) only to find herself at our Sunday morning run. Alan promised her a 6 mile route, but they got so engrossed in conversation that Pam ended up doing her first 9 miler. This
bond grew from mentoring to, many of us thought, dependence. When Pam was invited to races or parties, her response was always, “Will Alan be there?” The only person that has been able to wean Pam away from Alan is Tom Richardson. We know Pam isn’t shallow, but unless you have a convertible, don’t even ask her!
Pam’s PRs to date are:

Marathon – 4:03:27

Half Marathon – 1:40:38

15K – 1:14:00

10K – 46:20

5 Mile – 38:00

5K – 21:45

These times are just the beginning, as most believe Pam is on the verge of new PRs in 2006.
Pam’s partying is grossly exaggerated. Her race times are far too fast for her to have had only a few hours sleep. Besides, after spending her formative years in Catholic school, she wouldn’t know how to party. I know you’re thinking maybe a party or two at LSU and UT; you’ll have to ask her.
Just as she used to say, “Will Alan be there?” now her friends often say, “Will Pam be there?”