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| "There is always time for a run" |
Why do you run?
I run for several reasons 1) To clear my head of the daily stress that can creep into my life, 2) It’s the one time of the day that nobody can get to me. It’s my time, and my diversion, 3) I run because I’m competitive (with myself and others, but mostly with myself). Running attracts (overall) such a nice group of people, and it’s amazing to be part of the running community. Oh, and 4) I run because I like chocolate A LOT!
How long have you been running? How did you get started? Why did you choose running over other activities?
I started running in high school (so on and off for 28 years). My brother got me into it (see http://themusicofrunning.tumblr.com/post/13968913272/running-it-forward ) I ended up sticking with running because my little league career fizzled out, and it turned out I was decent at running (especially as a track runner). I ran in college, but not all the way through. In fact I didn’t run much in my 20s. I picked it up again at age 30, and I haven’t stopped.
How do you motivate yourself to run regularly? What about on the days the weather is bad or your are feeling particularly lazy?
I motivate myself by signing up for races. I need the structure and deadlines of an upcoming race to stay into it. Second, I’ll run with my wife or a friend once in a while. That keeps it fresh.
I generally see bad weather days as an opportunity to run when others might not. This gives me an advantage. It also prepares me for race-day weather (which is beyond our control).
Do you use a running coach, or read any books to aid in your training?
I don’t use a coach (but I can still hear my high school coaches screaming at me). I coach a couple of people, but not too many at once. I’ll read running books for inspiration, but I don’t read them to follow a specific training plan.
How do you fit running in with your daily schedule?
There is always time for a run. I assess my daily schedule to determine if it will be a morning run or an evening run.
Do your friends and family support your running or think you are crazy?
My family is supportive (my wife is a runner too). My parents live far away, but they try to make it to my marathons when they can. My friends have grown up with me running, so they just see it as something I do (only one or two think I’m nuts).
What is your favorite running terrain (road, trail, treadmill)?
My favorite terrain is the road (see http://themusicofrunning.tumblr.com/post/15356238927/sunday-morning-streets). My eyesight is really bad so I appreciate the more certain surface of the roads; however, I try to get on the trails once per week to give my legs a break from the pavement). You’ll never see me on a treadmill.
What is the hardest race you’ve run to date?
For some reason, the NYC Marathon was the toughest on me. I had stomach issues, and my legs took more of a beating than usual (perhaps from all of the bridges). Other than that, there is a ½ Marathon in Wilmington DE called “The Caesar Rodney” and that is a tough one. Let’s just say there is a hill that is essentially 2 miles long.
What is the most enjoyable race you’ve run to date?
I love the Steamtown Marathon. It’s point-to-point, and the small town crowd support along the way is great. Plus, it’s run when the fall foliage is peaking….beautiful scenery.
Have you ever been injured due to running? What were the ramifications?
I’ve had a few injuries over the years (ITB, Sciatica, hip problems, strained calf). I had to miss some secondary races, but fortunately, never a marathon. One of the ways I try to remain injury-free is cutting back to running 4x’s per week vs. 6x’s (which is what I used to do when I was younger). If I am training for a marathon PR, I will run 5x’s per week (a mid-week longer run is added to my routine).
Do you use any music or run tracking devices when you run, or are you a naked runner.?
I use music only once per week (ironic when you see the name of my blog later). When I am in the mood, music and running in combination is all I need in life. I don’t use a GPS tracking device (I don’t trust them for accuracy). I do use a stopwatch (a simple timex).
How do you get yourself through the difficult parts of your runs? Do you have a personal mantra or do you just give up?
What gets me through the difficult parts of a run is the philosophy that “This too shall pass.” I’ll puke before I give up. I try not to leave anything on a race course. Also, I try to be ambivalent about feeling crappy during a run. I call it the “Mr. Spock” attitude (see http://themusicofrunning.tumblr.com/post/14466323195/the-music-of-running-vol-2 ). Mr. Spock didn’t care one way or the other about too much. I try to feel this way about pain. Don’t mistake that for lack of passion…the passion for running is there, but I just try not to give pain too much attention.
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?
I try not to “over eat” the night before a big race…it’s so tempting to get carried away with “carbo-loading” the night before, and this can backfire (no pun intended). For me, a larger lunch the day before is more helpful. Then I’ll fuel during the race (in addition to a sensible race-day breakfast, etc.) Finally, I wake up early enough so I get a chance to have my daily coffee…coffee helps me, well, you know.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up running?
My advice would be 1) Don’t overdo it in the beginning. So many people get injured right off the bat because they tend to ramp up training too soon, and 2) when you start up, run with someone that has some running experience, and 3) Don’t be intimidated by running. Personally, I love helping new runners and love running with beginners. My only requirement is that they “pay” or “run” it forward someday, and help another person take up running too. I try to correct people that say they are “wannabe” runners. There is no such thing. You are either a runner or you are not. If you “wannabe” a runner and you run, you’re a runner.
What is your next big race?
My next big race is the Run for the Red Marathon on 5/20 (Marathon #14). Still formulating my goal right now, but I’d like to break 3 hours again….might even push it for a 2:55…we’ll see how training goes).
What is your immediate running goal?
My immediate running goal is always to remain “injury-free.” Everything else is secondary. The most imminent secondary goal right now would be to finish the Caesar Rodney half in March in sub 1:25.
What is your ultimate running goal?
My ultimate running goal is to run over a lifetime. I see this one guy at many races, and he must be in his 80s. I want to be “that guy” someday. I’ve already reached my other goals (the main one was to break 3 hours in a marathon), so at this point it’s to enjoy it and run over a lifetime. If you’re looking for something specific, I wouldn’t mind being the leader of a marathon pace group someday.
Do you have a way we can keep track of your progress (Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc)
I’m on Twitter @GPescatore
Facebook: The Music of Running
Blog: http://themusicofrunning.tumblr.com/
DailyMile: Gerard
I run for several reasons 1) To clear my head of the daily stress that can creep into my life, 2) It’s the one time of the day that nobody can get to me. It’s my time, and my diversion, 3) I run because I’m competitive (with myself and others, but mostly with myself). Running attracts (overall) such a nice group of people, and it’s amazing to be part of the running community. Oh, and 4) I run because I like chocolate A LOT!
How long have you been running? How did you get started? Why did you choose running over other activities?
I started running in high school (so on and off for 28 years). My brother got me into it (see http://themusicofrunning.tumblr.com/post/13968913272/running-it-forward ) I ended up sticking with running because my little league career fizzled out, and it turned out I was decent at running (especially as a track runner). I ran in college, but not all the way through. In fact I didn’t run much in my 20s. I picked it up again at age 30, and I haven’t stopped.
How do you motivate yourself to run regularly? What about on the days the weather is bad or your are feeling particularly lazy?
I motivate myself by signing up for races. I need the structure and deadlines of an upcoming race to stay into it. Second, I’ll run with my wife or a friend once in a while. That keeps it fresh.
I generally see bad weather days as an opportunity to run when others might not. This gives me an advantage. It also prepares me for race-day weather (which is beyond our control).
Do you use a running coach, or read any books to aid in your training?
I don’t use a coach (but I can still hear my high school coaches screaming at me). I coach a couple of people, but not too many at once. I’ll read running books for inspiration, but I don’t read them to follow a specific training plan.
How do you fit running in with your daily schedule?
There is always time for a run. I assess my daily schedule to determine if it will be a morning run or an evening run.
Do your friends and family support your running or think you are crazy?
My family is supportive (my wife is a runner too). My parents live far away, but they try to make it to my marathons when they can. My friends have grown up with me running, so they just see it as something I do (only one or two think I’m nuts).
What is your favorite running terrain (road, trail, treadmill)?
My favorite terrain is the road (see http://themusicofrunning.tumblr.com/post/15356238927/sunday-morning-streets). My eyesight is really bad so I appreciate the more certain surface of the roads; however, I try to get on the trails once per week to give my legs a break from the pavement). You’ll never see me on a treadmill.
What is the hardest race you’ve run to date?
For some reason, the NYC Marathon was the toughest on me. I had stomach issues, and my legs took more of a beating than usual (perhaps from all of the bridges). Other than that, there is a ½ Marathon in Wilmington DE called “The Caesar Rodney” and that is a tough one. Let’s just say there is a hill that is essentially 2 miles long.
What is the most enjoyable race you’ve run to date?
I love the Steamtown Marathon. It’s point-to-point, and the small town crowd support along the way is great. Plus, it’s run when the fall foliage is peaking….beautiful scenery.
Have you ever been injured due to running? What were the ramifications?
I’ve had a few injuries over the years (ITB, Sciatica, hip problems, strained calf). I had to miss some secondary races, but fortunately, never a marathon. One of the ways I try to remain injury-free is cutting back to running 4x’s per week vs. 6x’s (which is what I used to do when I was younger). If I am training for a marathon PR, I will run 5x’s per week (a mid-week longer run is added to my routine).
Do you use any music or run tracking devices when you run, or are you a naked runner.?
I use music only once per week (ironic when you see the name of my blog later). When I am in the mood, music and running in combination is all I need in life. I don’t use a GPS tracking device (I don’t trust them for accuracy). I do use a stopwatch (a simple timex).
How do you get yourself through the difficult parts of your runs? Do you have a personal mantra or do you just give up?
What gets me through the difficult parts of a run is the philosophy that “This too shall pass.” I’ll puke before I give up. I try not to leave anything on a race course. Also, I try to be ambivalent about feeling crappy during a run. I call it the “Mr. Spock” attitude (see http://themusicofrunning.tumblr.com/post/14466323195/the-music-of-running-vol-2 ). Mr. Spock didn’t care one way or the other about too much. I try to feel this way about pain. Don’t mistake that for lack of passion…the passion for running is there, but I just try not to give pain too much attention.
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?
I try not to “over eat” the night before a big race…it’s so tempting to get carried away with “carbo-loading” the night before, and this can backfire (no pun intended). For me, a larger lunch the day before is more helpful. Then I’ll fuel during the race (in addition to a sensible race-day breakfast, etc.) Finally, I wake up early enough so I get a chance to have my daily coffee…coffee helps me, well, you know.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up running?
My advice would be 1) Don’t overdo it in the beginning. So many people get injured right off the bat because they tend to ramp up training too soon, and 2) when you start up, run with someone that has some running experience, and 3) Don’t be intimidated by running. Personally, I love helping new runners and love running with beginners. My only requirement is that they “pay” or “run” it forward someday, and help another person take up running too. I try to correct people that say they are “wannabe” runners. There is no such thing. You are either a runner or you are not. If you “wannabe” a runner and you run, you’re a runner.
What is your next big race?
My next big race is the Run for the Red Marathon on 5/20 (Marathon #14). Still formulating my goal right now, but I’d like to break 3 hours again….might even push it for a 2:55…we’ll see how training goes).
What is your immediate running goal?
My immediate running goal is always to remain “injury-free.” Everything else is secondary. The most imminent secondary goal right now would be to finish the Caesar Rodney half in March in sub 1:25.
What is your ultimate running goal?
My ultimate running goal is to run over a lifetime. I see this one guy at many races, and he must be in his 80s. I want to be “that guy” someday. I’ve already reached my other goals (the main one was to break 3 hours in a marathon), so at this point it’s to enjoy it and run over a lifetime. If you’re looking for something specific, I wouldn’t mind being the leader of a marathon pace group someday.
Do you have a way we can keep track of your progress (Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc)
I’m on Twitter @GPescatore
Facebook: The Music of Running
Blog: http://themusicofrunning.tumblr.com/
DailyMile: Gerard
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