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| "The only way you can fail at running is to not run" |
I run for exercise, stress relief and to spend time with my friends.
How long have you been running?
I have been running since June 2009.
How did you get started?
Well, I say I started in 2009, but honestly used to run inside on a treadmill before that. In June 2009 I decided to take it outside because after a year or two on the treadmill, I was still struggling to run farther than two miles. I ran three miles outside that first day, and haven't been on a treadmill since.
Why did you choose running over other activities?
Until about 18 months ago, I used to lift and try to run as much as possible. Until I realized I earned much better results from running than lifting and decided to go with the running.
How do you motivate yourself to run regularly?
I run with a group of friends and we meet up most mornings at 6am. When I say that, I mean that almost every weekday morning some combination of the group meets at the same starting point to run a minimum of a 3.1 mile (5K) run. We usually communicate our plans to run in the morning via a group on Facebook.
What about on the days the weather is bad or your are feeling particularly lazy?
Running with the group makes me accountable to them. If I decide to take an extra day off, or skip because it's a little cold outside, I usually hear about it by one (or more) of them giving me a hard time. The ribbing is all good natured, but it helps all of us to keep focused on being fit.
Do you use a running coach, or read any books to aid in your training?
Not a book per se. More like researching on the internet, or talking to the group to find out what works for someone else and trying to apply it to myself.
How do you fit running in with your daily schedule?
I run early in the morning on the weekdays, before I go to work. Then I can be home with my family after work. On the weekends I still get up early, but not as early as the weekends.
Do your friends and family support your running or think you are crazy?
Yes! I mean, a little bit of both. They have been very supportive and in fact, some of them are even starting to run too.
What is your favorite running terrain (road, trail, treadmill)?
Definitely on the road or paved trail.
What is the hardest race you’ve run to date?
The hardest race was the Nationwide Columbus Marathon on 10/16/2011. It was my first marathon, and I wasn't properly trained. It was the first race that I ever wanted to just stop running and walk away from. Between mile 16 and 20 my legs began to get tight and cramp. A good friend of mine was waiting for me at mile 20 and finished the race with me. If not for him, I may have given up at that point.
What is the most enjoyable race you’ve run to date?
Ironically I would say the same race, the Nationwide Columbus Marathon. The event organizers do a great job of providing entertainment all along the route of the race. There are so many supporters out cheering everyone on. I even saw people I know along the street who weren't there with my running group. That was pretty neat.
Have you ever been injured due to running?
You know, occasionally my legs get pretty stiff, but that's been about it so far.
What were the ramifications?
Extra stretching or an extra day off.
Do you use any music or run tracking devices when you run, or are you a naked runner.?
I carry my Android phone and track my runs using and app called Endomondo, and their website Endomondo.com.
How do you get yourself through the difficult parts of your runs?
I try to run through them. Maybe manage my pace by going a bit faster or slower if I need to.
Do you have a personal mantra or do you just give up?
I don't really have a personal mantra. But I do stop if I feel too uncomfortable to continue.
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?
Good ol' #2. If necessary and possible I walk through the urge. Definitely head to the closest restroom to take care of it. Summertime is much nicer for that than the winter time is. That is for sure.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up running?
I have some advice.. Here goes: Unless your doctor tells you not to run, then you should do it. You cannot fail if you lace up your shoes and take to the sidewalk, trail or treadmill. Even if the farthest distance you run is only .25 miles at a time you are not failing. Because that's .25 miles more than you ran while you were sitting on the couch. Start with that .25 or .50 mile then work your way up. The only way you can fail at running is to not run. Oh, one more thing. Don't worry about how fast Bobby or Suzy are running. Just compete against yourself. Everyone has different abilities and it is not fair to you to measure your ability against someone else's.
What is your next big race?
I plan to run in my second Marathon on Earth Day 2012 at Kenyon College in Gambier, OH.
What is your immediate running goal?
My immediate goal is to stay healthy and keep running.
What is your ultimate running goal?
My ultimate goal is to finish a Marathon in under 4:30.
Do you have a way we can keep track of your progress (Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc)
I track my running statistics on Endomondo.com. It's a nice website with some free features and some features only available if you have the paid smart phone application. Endomondo also posts my workouts to Twitter and Facebook. This feature helps me to be accountable to the people I am friends with online. Additional, it has helped me influence a handful of people to get up and start their own exercise program. For whatever reason, seeing me post about running a marathon, half marathon or even my daily 5k compels them to want to do it to. And I am okay with that. After all, the sidewalks are not crowded and we always have room in our group for more people to join us.
Do you use a running coach, or read any books to aid in your training?
Not a book per se. More like researching on the internet, or talking to the group to find out what works for someone else and trying to apply it to myself.
How do you fit running in with your daily schedule?
I run early in the morning on the weekdays, before I go to work. Then I can be home with my family after work. On the weekends I still get up early, but not as early as the weekends.
Do your friends and family support your running or think you are crazy?
Yes! I mean, a little bit of both. They have been very supportive and in fact, some of them are even starting to run too.
What is your favorite running terrain (road, trail, treadmill)?
Definitely on the road or paved trail.
What is the hardest race you’ve run to date?
The hardest race was the Nationwide Columbus Marathon on 10/16/2011. It was my first marathon, and I wasn't properly trained. It was the first race that I ever wanted to just stop running and walk away from. Between mile 16 and 20 my legs began to get tight and cramp. A good friend of mine was waiting for me at mile 20 and finished the race with me. If not for him, I may have given up at that point.
What is the most enjoyable race you’ve run to date?
Ironically I would say the same race, the Nationwide Columbus Marathon. The event organizers do a great job of providing entertainment all along the route of the race. There are so many supporters out cheering everyone on. I even saw people I know along the street who weren't there with my running group. That was pretty neat.
Have you ever been injured due to running?
You know, occasionally my legs get pretty stiff, but that's been about it so far.
What were the ramifications?
Extra stretching or an extra day off.
Do you use any music or run tracking devices when you run, or are you a naked runner.?
I carry my Android phone and track my runs using and app called Endomondo, and their website Endomondo.com.
How do you get yourself through the difficult parts of your runs?
I try to run through them. Maybe manage my pace by going a bit faster or slower if I need to.
Do you have a personal mantra or do you just give up?
I don't really have a personal mantra. But I do stop if I feel too uncomfortable to continue.
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?
Good ol' #2. If necessary and possible I walk through the urge. Definitely head to the closest restroom to take care of it. Summertime is much nicer for that than the winter time is. That is for sure.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up running?
I have some advice.. Here goes: Unless your doctor tells you not to run, then you should do it. You cannot fail if you lace up your shoes and take to the sidewalk, trail or treadmill. Even if the farthest distance you run is only .25 miles at a time you are not failing. Because that's .25 miles more than you ran while you were sitting on the couch. Start with that .25 or .50 mile then work your way up. The only way you can fail at running is to not run. Oh, one more thing. Don't worry about how fast Bobby or Suzy are running. Just compete against yourself. Everyone has different abilities and it is not fair to you to measure your ability against someone else's.
What is your next big race?
I plan to run in my second Marathon on Earth Day 2012 at Kenyon College in Gambier, OH.
What is your immediate running goal?
My immediate goal is to stay healthy and keep running.
What is your ultimate running goal?
My ultimate goal is to finish a Marathon in under 4:30.
Do you have a way we can keep track of your progress (Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc)
I track my running statistics on Endomondo.com. It's a nice website with some free features and some features only available if you have the paid smart phone application. Endomondo also posts my workouts to Twitter and Facebook. This feature helps me to be accountable to the people I am friends with online. Additional, it has helped me influence a handful of people to get up and start their own exercise program. For whatever reason, seeing me post about running a marathon, half marathon or even my daily 5k compels them to want to do it to. And I am okay with that. After all, the sidewalks are not crowded and we always have room in our group for more people to join us.
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