Dave S has the runs!

The next installment of "People who have the runs"

"it's fun to listen to the Indiana Jones theme when you're running a trail alone"

Why do you run?
Well, initially I did it to lose 30 pounds after 20 years of smoking. Now it is for the health benefits, the feeling of accomplishment and all the great people I have met in the running community. I won't lie, I'm also a racing and medal junkie.

How long have you been running?
As of July it will be 5 years.

How did you get started?
I actually got started running track in high school but I was not very good at all and just used it as a way to hang out with some of my friends after school.

Why did you choose running over other activities?
It was really the only sport I knew that would help me lose weight. I had many years of Tae Kwon Do, but resuming that can get very expensive.

How do you motivate yourself to run regularly?
It's a new way all the time. I find music and movies really charge me up and give me something to imagine while I'm running. It may sound a little silly but it's fun to listen to the Indiana Jones theme when you're running a trail alone.

What about on the days the weather is bad or your are feeling particularly lazy?
When the weather is bad, I'm still out there unless it's lightning. I've raced in that and it can get a little scary. If it's below zero I will reluctantly get on the dreadmill. As far as feeling particularly lazy, that is no excuse. I love to race and I just think about my race times starting to slip, so that gives me the motivation I need. That said, I do give myself a bit of a break through the month of December.

Do you use a running coach, or read any books to aid in your training?
No coaches and no books. I have read articles on training methods and they only resulted in injuries. It's better for me to use the trial and error method. It's brought me from a 30 minute 5k to a PR of 20:05 so something must be working.

How do you fit running in with your daily schedule?
My schedule is a bit loose most of the time since I am a self employed carpenter. So it's pretty easy to fit a run in. But if I am busy I just make sure it gets done immediately after work when I'm still motivated.

Do your friends and family support your running or think you are crazy? 

LOL. A little of both.

What is your favorite running terrain (road, trail, treadmill)? 

I have to say asphalt. Trails are alright but I can't get the speed that I crave when roots are sticking out of the ground. 

 
What is the hardest race you’ve run to date?
Wow, that a tough question. I did 53 races this year from 5k to 50k but I have to say the toughest was the Chicago Marathon of 2010 when I completely neglected to hydrate and ended up getting dragged to the medical area.

What is the most enjoyable race you’ve run to date?
Again, a tough one to answer. I love the half marathon so I would have to say the Rock-N-Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon. But I also do some crazy races as well which have been a real good time. For instance, there was a 5k cross country race just outside Dallas that was in a nudist colony. You only live once, right? 

Have you ever been injured due to running?
Not "real" injuries. Mostly tendinitis and IT band problems.

What were the ramifications?
A little rest and stretching combined with rolling on a foam roller.

Do you use any music or run tracking devices when you run, or are you a naked runner.?
I definitely use music but I am dead set against any tracking devices for me or anyone I help learn to run. Most people that have them tend to become slaves to the digital read out. They start to slow down when they see that their pace is too fast and ultimately hinder themselves from improving. I understand if you want to use it for a distance race in order to not "blow up" but during training I believe they prevent too many runners from reaching their true potential.

How do you get yourself through the difficult parts of your runs?
I talk to myself out loud. Just reassuring myself that I'm okay. 

Do you have a personal mantra or do you just give up?

NEVER give up. I have never had a DNF and don't plan on it. My feeling on that is to finish or die trying. I am absolutely serious about that. I don't care if you have to walk the rest of the way, at least finish.

A lot of runners know that “Who has the runs” has a double meaning. How do you deal with the occasional “problem” that plagues every runner at one time or another?
Well I honestly have not had that problem but have seen others and have a friend that it happened to. I feel bad for those people but in every case they still finished the race. Thumbs up to them and I hope I am running in front of them when that "problem" happens next time.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up running?
Do it! There are so many benefits. Health, friends, accomplishments, etc.

What is your next big race?
Well I got rooked into doing the Lake Geneva Marathon this year. It's a pretty hilly course with support that is unreliable from what I've been told. That's the next BIG race anyway.

What is your immediate running goal?
Actually to back down my racing schedule this year. As I said, I did 53 races in 2011that resulted in 35 awards and I really need to back that down to 35 or so. I was going to try and beat my 5k PR and stay away from some of the distance but just like Michael Corleone said, "Just when I thought I was out.... they pull me back in".

What is your ultimate running goal?
Simple, one day I want to do the marathon in Osaka, Japan.

Do you have a way we can keep track of your progress (Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc)
You bet.

1.) My website where I make and sell custom medal displays D2Displays.com
2.)Twitter - @DaveSchlagman
3.) Facebook - Dave Schlagman or D2 Medal Displays
4.) My Blog - Adventures In Running and thank you very much for the opportunity to do this interview.