The limp is a little more prevalent now. Forty-five years as a world-class runner will do that.
The zest is also more prevalent now. Forty-five years of turning a novice into a world-class runner will do that, too.
If only Fr. Wasko could see Paul Greer now. Rev. Anthony J. Wasko was principal of St. Augustine High School when Greer was a freshman searching for an identity and a way to fit in at the all-boys school.
An English teacher, Wasko would be even more impressed that Greer is also a best-selling author.
“Going the Distance: Strategies from the First Stride to the Finish Line” is a five-star-rated top-seller on Amazon and other national book lists.
“Never in my wildest dreams would I ever believe that I would write a book,” Greer, 59, said. “It has been very rewarding and humbling at the same time. It has been a great journey.”
Greer was instrumental in starting the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in 1998 and a big reason why it annually draws about 30,000 runners downtown. The marathon and half-marathon will be held Sunday morning, with the finish line at Ash Street and Union Street.
Greer, the coach and the face of the San Diego Track Club, will be cheering on the 300 or so athletes he has trained for the race. Some are exceptional. Some are beginners. Some just do it because of Greer’s goofy smirk, corny phrases and unbridled optimism for people and life.
“Paul Greer is like the Fred Lebow of San Diego,” said former three-time Olympian Steve Scott, referring to the founder of the New York City Marathon. “Paul is synonymous with running in San Diego County. You can’t talk about cross country running or track in San Diego without talking about Paul Greer.
“His positive attitude is infectious. He exudes enthusiasm. People love him to death because he is such an amazing guy.”
Greer retired from running after undergoing a hip replacement in June 2022, but makes an exception every year on race day.
“It’s the only day of the year I run now,” Greer said. “I don’t take a bike or a scooter. They wouldn’t make it through the canyons and paths I go through. All I have is a bullhorn in my hand.”
Greer’s resume is a marathon list of accomplishments. During his career, he:
• Was a champion runner at St. Augustine (1979-1983) and San Diego State (1983-88);
• Broke the 4-minute mile in 1989 with a time of 3 minutes, 59.79 seconds;
• Ran a 3:56 mile in 1991;
• Was a 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier;
• Was USA Track and Field’s national secretary;
• Served as USATF San Diego’s president.
And in March, Greer coached the United States at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. The U.S. finished seventh.
“To represent the United States in a global event, that was amazing,” Greer said. “There is a responsibility to represent your country with humility and honor, especially the coach.”
No one questions Greer’s sincerity, drive or ion — especially those in the St. Augustine community. Greer’s athletic career began as a freshman at the small North Park campus.
“I went out for football. Got cut,” Greer recalled. “Went out for soccer. Got cut. Went out for track. Almost got cut.”
Greer couldn’t perform basic calisthenics like jumping jacks.
“To say he was raw would be kind,” said Dan Schaitel, 77, St. Augustine’s track coach at the time. “This scrawny little kid was holding up track practice because he couldn’t do jumping jacks. And the other guys on the team were laughing and making fun of him. I wanted to cut him right then and there.”
John Matt, 60, was one of those other guys. He just finished his 33rd season as a track coach at Poway and El Camino.
“Not an athletic bone in that guy’s body at the time,” Matt said. “But he kept coming back. It took a while, but he progressed. He went from that guy who couldn’t touch his toes without falling over to a world-class athlete. I use him as an example all the time in my coaching. He taught me as much as anyone ever has and all with dignity and class and humility.”
Schaitel agrees.
“You never give up on any athlete. He taught me that lesson a long time ago,” said Schaitel, who won nine CIF team titles at Poway and, like Greer, is a member of the Breitbard Hall of Fame. “How do you measure heart? There hasn’t been an athlete in our sport who doesn’t have heart. But his drive is different. I’m sure if you could measure heart, I think it would outweigh his actual heart.
“I’ve been fortunate to coach a lot of great athletes, and he stands alone.”
Scott set the American record for a mile in Greer’s junior year of high school and held it for 26 years. After Greer left college and raced professionally in Europe, he and Scott trained together for years until Scott retired and moved to Texas.
“Paul ran with heart,” Scott said. “His guts ran all the way to his toenails.”
Said Greer: “You have to believe. There are barriers in life. Everyone faces that. It’s how you deal with and overcome those barriers that makes you great.”
Greer wrote about that in his book — along with most of his philosophies, techniques and tips.
“There are a lot of books that are better than mine,” he said. “But some are dry. I didn’t want the book to be dry. I wanted it to be entertaining. I wanted it to be fun. I didn’t write the book for the money. I did it for my love of sharing. It was about helping others, about sharing my experiences so maybe I could help someone get past that barrier.”
Greer poured everything he could into writing, and he is pleased.
“I feel blessed,” Greer said. “My life would be on a much different trajectory if it wasn’t for running and Dan Schaitel. Everything in my life came from running.
“I just wanted a letterman’s jacket. That was a big deal at St. Augustine. That, in and of itself, inspired me. Then, I had another goal. And another. And Dan brought that out it me.”
Because of those lessons and those experiences, Greer said his life boils down to one simple conclusion.
“My three favorite words in running are the same as my three favorite words in life,” he said. “‘Just show up.’“
Lingdgren is a freelance writer.
