Friday Spotlight: ItsReallyReallyTrue
What's up readers! I'm jumping to get this one out to you guys and girls today. When today's Spotlight athlete was nominated I got excited. It's a name that I see here and there but haven't really gotten the chance to know too well. With one of the older accounts I wish I'd have paid more attention. I always like to feature a fresh face and we've got one for you today. After going through his responses I can't help but to think this highlighted runner would be a pretty darn good running partner. So let's get this started and learn a little bit about fellow community member u/ItsReallyReallyTrue!
Let's roll...
###The Runner:
First Name?
Luke
Age?
33.9
Where are you from?
Columbus, OH though I’ll always be a Chicagoan having spent 26 years there.
Occupation?
Programmer (backend web developer)
The Running Q&A's:
What are your PR’s?
1 mile = 8:02
5k = 27:33
10k = 55:44
Half = 2:24 (in training)
25K = Coming up in a month
What is your distance PR?
13.1mi
What’s your highest recorded weekly mileage?
41.5mi
What’s your comfy pace?
10min/mi
How long have you been running?
My first recorded run was October 12th of 2015. But I would say I’ve only been serious since March of this year so about 6 months.
Tell us why you began running?
Part of a weight loss initiative that I started last year by road cycling. Have dropped from 215 to 170 lbs. Though the last 25 was all running and eating slightly better. I got more serious about my health because of the fear of dying prematurely, my daughter was born this last April and knowing she was coming gave me the impetus to get out there everyday. My father died when I was 19 and I don’t wanna do that to my kid.
A big reason why I continued to run though is purely because of how it feels. I’ve always had an addictive personality, former pack a day smoker for 15 years, drinking till I blackout (still do this, minus the blackouts), issues with food and generally being able to say enough is enough to any substance out there. Running seems to be the best thing an addict can do for themselves as it’s a positive force for change with a high reward.
The other big draw is just how clear it makes your mind, the ability to be truly alone in your thoughts or to be in this zen like state where the only thing you do is put one foot down after another. The sense of accomplishment, the feeling of a new pr, the satisfaction of having gone further than you ever had before.
Most memorable running moment?
Just this last Sunday I completed my first race since my training really intensified. A 6.55mi Quarter Marathon which I finished in 57:59 (8:52 min/mi). This race was done on day 2 of a head cold, so I really had lots of doubt I’d be able to hit my sub 1h goal. Luckily I learned that sudafed is a performance enhancing drug and had one on hand, hope that doesn’t disqualify me. Got to see my family cheering me on halfway which really gave me a nice boost. Kicked it up in the last mile and went into full out sprint on the last turn. Broke 6 strava pr’s that day, all the way from the 400m to the 10k.
Do you have a running mantra?
I don’t, but whenever I get that tingly runners high feeling I like to imagine something is opening the top of my head and sprinkling powdered sugar directly on my brain, hmm maybe that’s powdered dopamine?
What time of day do you prefer to run?
Whenever the weather works best, mornings in the summer, midday when it’s colder.
Any big races coming up?
I have my first trail race coming up in September, doing the 25k distance of the Not Yo Momma’s 100 miler and then the Nationwide Columbus Half Marathon a few weeks later.
What are your short-term running goals?
I’m going (yes going!) to hit 100 days on my running streak. At day 75 today! I’d also like to transition to doing more trail running, seems more appealing. Hitting sub 2h in my first half marathon is my immediate goal for my race in October.
What are your long-term running goals?
A sub 20min 5k and I’d like my first marathon to be a BQ. Lofty goals which may never be achieved, but the fun is in the trying.. I also plan on running a 50k ultra in January, more like really desire but am unsure of my worthiness and therefore can’t commit to signing up.
What’s one piece of running advice you’d give to the younger version of yourself?
You should have started at 23 not 33.
What is something you need to work on to become a better runner?
I need to try to stick to training plans better instead of coming up with my own on a whim. I also know I need to get some hills in my life if I’m going to be running trail races, it’s way too flat around here.
What is your current shoe choice?
Nike Air Zoom Structure 19
Trail? Road? Track? Or Treadmill?
Road for now. Moving in a few days and found a 10k loop the local trail running club maintains pretty near by, excited to try it out.
What is your ideal running weather?
55F and cloudy.
Do you have any social media accounts you’d like to share? [Facebook, Strava, Twitter]
###Just For Fun:
What’s your spirit animal?
Horse sized duck or um the narwhal? Wait neither of those are cool around here anymore are they :(
What hobbies and interests do you have besides running?
Hobby micro electronics (arduino, esp8266), video games, coding, beer.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Knowing exactly the wrong thing to say to my fiancee. I can fold my ears into pyramids with zero pain and I can usually tell you what time it is without looking at a clock, amazing I know.
Biggest pet peeve?
People boasting about their own ignorance and/or willful ignorance. I grew up in an environment where stupid was cool, luckily I think the tides have turned, maybe it’s the instant information access this generation has grown up with.
Dream job! What would it be?
Astronaut.
Favorite Quote or Poem?
“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.” -Carl Sagan. Love this quote because it's really really true. It makes me giddy to think that some burnt up star ashes formed into thinking beings that sit around discussing running on the internet.
What is your biggest character flaw?
Procrastination. Except when filling out this questionnaire, which may point to perhaps a touch of new found narcissism?
What songs have you been listening to recently?
I’m big on progressive/electro house and melodic/vocal dubstep.
What are some of your favorite non-running subreddits?
/r/diy
/r/mealtimevideos
/r/space
/r/childrenfallingover
###One Last Question:
What is the origin of your username?
Honestly not sure, a guarantee of content perhaps?
That'll wrap up my portion of the Spotlight. I want to personally thank u/ItsReallyReallyTrue for taking time out of his schedule to shed some light into what his life consists of. From children falling over to saying the exact wrong things at the wrong times, I'm sure a lot of you readers can relate. Check out the Strava and Smashrun links too and make sure to throw some kudos his way! Now everyone, get ready to bombard him with your questions and comments. Let's hope he's ready.
####Thanks for reading everyone!!!
#As usual please tag u/ItsReallyReallyTrue's username when asking him a question in this thread!
If you don't the running Gods will give you incurable shin splints for the rest of your life and you'll die a sad lonely wanna-be hobbyjogger.
If I see that you've failed to tag him after asking him a question, I'll try my best to respond to your question by tagging him myself. So be aware. Tagging his username alerts him that his attention is needed. This way, he doesn't have to sift through all of the comments one by one, which can be a rather daunting task when there is a lot of traffic to the thread. Please don't forget that all of our Friday Spotlight athletes may need time to respond to your comments and questions so give them some time to reply.
Previously Featured Spotlight Runners:
Posted Sep 2, 2016, 12:00 PM UTC · edited