Remember
this post where I showed you my newest running hero,
Justin Gillette?
He has a
running blog
about him (he WON 15 marathons last year, NBD) and his wife’s running
and we started emailing back and forth occasionally. Naturally, I did
what anyone with a running crush would do: I wrote them love letters
composed on the back of pace bands, sent them vials of my own sweat, and
proposed renaming GU flavors after them.
Justin
got scared of my stalking and eventually agreed to answer my interview
questions…. probably because even the cows on his farm were scared.
Since not everyone stalks you like I do, tell us all a little about yourself.
“I started running on February 14, 1996, with the goal of being the
best runner in the timed mile run for the physical education class at
Arcadia Valley middle school. I was fortunate to achieve that goal and
quickly set another goal to go after. I ran track and cross country in
high school with ambitions of someday being fast enough to compete at
the college level. My high school career was nothing to brag about as I
could only muster a 4:48 mile and a 10:30 two mile time.
Probably
the proudest part of my high school career was being able to qualify
for the Boston Marathon and running a 2:56 there as a high school
senior.
My breakthrough at running came after my freshman cross country
season at Goshen College. The cross country coach quit at the end of
the year stating he was disappointed that the athletes did not work as
hard as he wanted them to.
I took that personally and vowed never to go to bed unless I ran no less than 10 miles a day. A few months of working harder lead to me running a
2:34:11 at the 2002 Boston Marathon, a 22 minute marathon personal best. From there I continued to focus more on longer distances, which also helped lower my
5k personal best to 15:06.”
So what you’re saying is, you’re sorta fast and sorta a good runner. What are your running goals for 2012?
“For 2012 I have the goal of running around 25 marathons, finishing
in under 2:30 several times and improving my personal best time of
2:25:44.
So far my 2012 year is off to a slow start due to allowing some aches
and pains to heal up this winter, but I will soon be back to top speed.”
Speaking of marathons, what’s a typical training week look like for you? Like you run 10,000 miles a week, right?
“I am self-employed so that makes my training really flexible. When I
am in a streak of multiple marathons in a short period of time, I will
do between 80-90 miles per week with one speed workout and one
progression run during the week. During the summer months I do my most
intense training which will consist of multiple 20-30 mine runs per week
with the objective of hitting
130-140 miles each week.”
You’ve touched on this subject before, but how do you choose which races to run since you’re a marathoning machine?
“I try to blend my marathons. Some races I do are really competitive
and I am just aiming to run a fast time, others races I go into with
the goal of winning or breaking the course record, and some races I
compete in due to having friends who live in the area. If I happen to
win a race I always try my best to return to defend my title.
Having a two year old son and a wife getting her PhD sometimes limits
my travel, but as long as I get babysitting covered, I can run
virtually any marathon I want.”
What’s your marathon
routine look like? Do you do anything interesting or wacky before a
race? What do you take in for fuel? Share some top secret that will
make us all really fast like you!
“Even though I have traveled so much and done close to
100 marathons, I still feel like I am trying to perfect my pre-race
routine. To stay consistent with our breakfast, we always pack instant
oatmeal for race mornings. Virtually every motel room has a coffeemaker
which can be used to heat up the water for the oatmeal.
I like to jog for 10-15 minutes, stretch, do 6-10
strides and then mentally review my race goals. During the marathon I
use whatever sports drink the race is providing and take 2-5 GU gels
while running. I carry two with me and take in others if the race
provides them.”
Let’s talk food: you are one slender dude, I’m sorta jealous. kidding… maybe. Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements? Do you find you have a racing weight and an off-season weight?
“Nutrition is an important part of being a good athlete, but it also
is impacted by a person’s pocketbook and personality. I would love to
eat the finest and freshest foods, but more typically I eat chicken and
bean burritos, eggs, or pasta for my meals. These are softer foods that
sit easy in my stomach. The night before marathons I will either eat
the pasta dinner, Subway, or Taco Bell.
My weight usually ranges from 134-137 most times of the year, but
when I am training harder in the warmer months, it will drop below 130,
some due to water loss.
Hydration is a very important part of
the recovery process and one of the secrets to being able to run well at
several marathons in a close period of time. I don’t use supplements but try to eat foods that work for my body.”
Your wife is an amazing runner as
well and even holds a world record, right? I sure hope she gets the
friendship bracelet I made her out of my own hair and dryer lint… Do
you guys ever train together or do you coach her?
“My wife, Melissa Gillette, is running strong right now. She set her personal best of
2:56 at the Rochester (NY) Marathon. At the Maple Leaf Indoor Marathon
she was able to break the World Record for an Indoor Marathon which was pretty exciting.
Previously I have not coached her, but now that she is ready to go to a higher level, I will start.”
Good luck with that. If my husband
tried to coach me, I’d probably put Ex-Lax in his coffee. Do you have
any tips for people who want to get into running and/or want to get
faster?
“Life takes a vision.
One of the easiest ways to stay motivated is to have a goal that you are striving for. As you keep working towards your goals, you will be able to knock down mental and physical barriers.
Likewise, once your body adapts to the level of stress you are
applying through training, it will be a sign that it is time to raise
the intensity level. Reading your body during training is more
important than any pre-written workout plan.”
Thanks,
Justin,
for answering my questions. I think you’re an inspiration to so many
runners out there that are balancing running with jobs, kids, life,
finances, etc.
And if you see someone with binoculars looking in your windows, don’t worry, it’s just me.
