Matt Connors

Matt is 31, married to Julie and they have two daughters: Claire (age 4) and Stella (age 1 1/2).  Matt's hometown is Ogden, UT and he is a CPA.

Here are a few facts about Matt when we asked him about his running:

Years running: 5

Weekly mileage: 40 - 70

Favorite race distance or race:  Speedgoat 50K has been my favorite race so far this year, but I have enjoyed almost all the races I've run.

PR's - (5K, 10K, ½, mara, Ultra) or proudest running accomplishment:  I'm not fast on the roads.  I'll say being sorely underprepared, finishing the Wasatch 100 in 2007, that was a good day (and a half).  I knew at the finish line I wanted to run the race again.

Favorite training run:  About any trail with friends in attendance.  I love to run with people who have different backgrounds than I have.  With the exception of my brother-in-law, CPAs are generally not the "A-listers" for the good parties, so it's nice to find people who let me hang-out with them.  My favorite (non race) runs this year have been Chinscraper, Big Water to Brighton, and Ben Lomond.

Why run - (motivation, inspiration):  Partially because I'm addicted, however, I have asked myself the same question about 1/2 way through a lot of the races I've done.

Goals: Undisclosed, I don't want the public to hold me accountable.

Favorite music to run to:  It ranges from Johnny Cash to The Bravery, and there's usually time for everything in-between.

Favorite running gear - (shoes, apparel, etc.):  Huge fan of the Brooks Cascadia shoe and I rarely run without a light wind shirt. It is amazing how much they can warm you up whilst on a peak, in the rain, or on a chilly morning.

Best advice you've been given as a runner:  The first time I ran Wasatch, someone told me, "The race begins at Lambs."  I found out how true that was.  Lambs Canyon is 53 miles into the race.  After that, to me, is when the real personal and physical challenge begins.

Best motivational quote:  "The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy.  It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed."  Jacqueline Gareau

Your role model:  Clearly, the girl on the pillow closest to mine.  I couldn't do anything without her.  She unconditionally supports me in any hair-brained idea or "obsession" (as she puts it) I undertake.  She has so many attributes that I need to emulate; I'm lucky to have her to learn from every day.

Favorite food:  Easy. Sushi.

Hobbies or interests other than running:  Playing with my girls and training with the Davis County Sheriff's Search and Rescue team.  I have a suspicion that my future hobbies will be more along the lines of whatever my girls want to be involved in.

Anything else the world might want to know about you:  I guesstimate that I've consumed the equivalent of between 500 and 750 energy gel packets in the last year.