He beat the odds... And became a legend!

Okay, have you guys ever googled your own name on the Internet and found something interesting about yourself. Yeah I googled my self one time and saw my track scores in the local paper. Really not that cool, but what is cool is that there are others out there with your same name. Fascinating, REALLY.

But betcha never knew that I had a second life- in fact, I'm still living my separate life.

I'll explain.

There is a super legend track star from the state of Oregon. Steve Prefontaine (January 25, 1951 – May 30, 1975) (nicknamed Pre) was one of the most esteemed American distance runners. He helped inspire a running boom in the 1970s along with contemporaries Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers. Born and raised in Coos Bay, Oregon, Prefontaine was primarily a long distance runner, and at one point held the American record in every running event from the 2000 meters to the 10,000 meters.[1] Prefontaine had one leg longer than the other (a common condition that does not affect running speed), and due to this he was told to give up on his dream of being the fastest runner on earth. He is known for his extremely aggressive "front-running" racing style and always believing in giving a full effort. Prefontaine died at the age of 24 in a car accident. (Wikipedia)

Whats crazy is his girlfriend IN REAL LIFE is named -get this-

Nancy Alleman.

(my maiden. I also spell my first with an "ie" not a "y")

Crazy huh?

So in Jan 24 1997 (exactly 11 years ago) a movie was released about his life and Olympic career. In this movie Amy Locane played Nan. So this is where the similarities start. I have blond (or did) thick hair, I have a stunning face and was a track star (Nan was an athlete who competed at the collegiate level) and my last name is spelled exactly the same!

(actress in the movie: Amy Locane)

You must admit that's pretty weird. I have a German last name and I don't really run into others with the same one very often.

The real Nancy- if you are reading my blog- contact me, we'll do lunch. I would love to chat you up about our genealogy and find out where you're from.

Another interesting anecdote: In high school I got to attend a famous track meet at the UofO campus. At this awesome meet (Dan O'Brien was there- i talked with him), they were selling these white tee-shirts with a picture of Pre on the front. I was so busy i never bought one and was totally regretting it on the way out of the track meet. My dad dared me (a joke really) to ask this security guard standing at the out gate for his tee shirt.

"Tell him you'll give him 5 bucks for his shirt"

"Daaaaaad...no way, uh, well maybe... okay"

"hi, I'll give you 5 bucks for your shirt?"

Next thing I know I'm handing this ripped black guy a 5 dollar bill and he is taking his dayglo yellow tee-shirt off his back and handing it to me. This shirt was so much better than the plain white ones they were selling because 1) it was dayglo yellow and 2) it says "security" on the back, And no one in Hemorrhoid-ville ever would have one the same as me.

So if its not on your list to do, Google yourself, rent Prefontaine, and get your own shirt. Maybe you'll find out you're a STAR.