I'M A RUNNER
DAVID JAMES ELLIOTT
Actor, 43, Los Angeles
Interviewed by Susan Pocharski
I've been a runner my whole life
When I was in my 20's, I set up my own marathon. I had a friend bike beside me, and ran 26-2 miles under a great deal of pain and misery. I hadn't trained for it. I just gutted it out.
My First official marathon was Lake Tahoe in 1996. I ran a couple extra miles because I went the wrong way. They had these big arrows pointing left at mile 25, so that's the way I went. I ended up running 28 miles in four hours.
The Ironman this October is my next goal. It's easier to motivate myself if I have a goal.
Micro-fiber shirts are awesome.
Right now I'm running every other day at an eight-minute-mile pace, on average. Every week I do one six-miler, two eight-milers, and a 20-miler on Sunday.
Asics and Brooks-those are my favorite.
I'm getting into the science of it: A GPS watch that gives you your distance and pace; a heart monitor; and a max VO2 test. Thee guy who did mine said, "Man, you've got the heart of a 20-year-old." I tried headphones. I ended up chewing the inside of my mouth. I came back from my run and I was bleeding. I just can't do that.
On the Treadmill? I'm wrestling with my head the whole way.
I go through a series of affirmations that I learned years ago. I use Psalm 23 because it's all-encompassing. I'm not a rabid Christian oe anything, but I'm a spiritual guy.
I've got a buddy at work [on the set of JAG] who I run with - a pal to share my misery at the end of a long day.
I blew a calf during the Phoenix Half-Marathon. I was flying - then BAM! It was like I blew a tire. I jammed down about nine GUs [sports gel] and washed them down with Gatorade. By the end, my calf was working itself out.
GU is my lifesaver.
If I'm doing a 20-mile run, around mile 16 or 17, that's the best. I love hitting the wall. The first mile - I hate it.
Things that seem hard are not always that hard. Put one foot in front of the other, and you'll get to the end.
I'm not skipping any run if I can help it. I get my demons out when I'm on the road - and leave them there. I wouldn't be the same guy if I couldn't run. I'm just trying to beat the Reaper.
Every time I go out there, I win. Every time I finish the task that I've set before myself, I win again.
The longer article found at RunnersWorld.Com
Webmistress note: The photo used in this article is sadly, nothing new. Similar photos were used a few years ago in an article for In Style magazine. Maybe a look into how he juggles running into his life?
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