Tom Remkes

 

Tom says he is forty something?  He can't remember any more.  He's married to Jamie has been married for a Good long time. They have three kids, Travis, Ashley and Erin.  Gator is our dog and so far he has not rejected any offers to run with me. Tom is an engineer working at Autoliv.  Currently I am helping to teach Lean Manufacturing principles.  Tom's hometown is Good old Ogden Utah, but I was born in Salt Lake City.  Moved here when I was 4-months old.  I couldn't tolerate the big city.

 

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

 

Years running: Yes, as a matter of fact, I have been running for years, 21 would be a good guess.

 

Weekly mileage: I focus more on the yearly mileage than weekly mileage.  I find myself chasing the previous year's total most of the time. 2,500+ is a good estimate and a good year.

 

Favorite race distance or race:  I like most distances, but I enjoy the trail runs better than the road runs.  Takes the old body a couple of miles to work out the kinks so I am horrible, time wise, at the short stuff.  With that said, the longer the run the better I tend to do.

 

PR's - (5K, 10K, ½, mara, Ultra) or proudest running accomplishment:  Huummm, my proudest running accomplishment?  I would have to say that I am still out running and that is an in itself is an accomplishment.  15 starts and 15 finishes at Wasatch.  Finished every race I started except for one...respect the HURT!

 

Favorite training run:  You know it happens every so often.  All the planets align and everything works well.  Feet, legs, stomach all come together and grant you a glorious moment that few mortals will understand.  However most runners may appreciate moments like this.  Usually this is with friends & family, location is not all that important if you have the other.

 

Why run - (motivation, inspiration):  Well when I started to run it really was a simple choice.  Jamie (my wife) started running before I did and I decided that I would give it a try.  Took a couple of years to get to where I actually liked it. 

The mind plays funny games on a person.  At first, you think of all the things you should be getting completed, then as the months turn into years, you think of those things that you could be getting completed and then think, what a beautiful day to run.  So I lace up my shoes and catch the other stuff on a rainy day.

 

Goals:  Enjoy family, friends, 4-legged furry creatures and Mr. Sunshine as long as they will allow me to be part of their lives.

 

Favorite music to run to:  I do a shuffle thing with all types of noise.  From Beethoven to AC/DC to audio books.  However the audio books are more difficult to pay attention to while trail running.  I have stumbled a couple of times paying attention to the "wrong" thing.

 

Favorite running gear - (shoes, apparel, etc.):  I enjoy most gear that does not rub, chafe or bring unneeded attention to myself.

 

Best advice you've been given as a runner:  You are guaranteed to have bad sections, learn to deal with them as you will also have good sections.  Enjoy the good sections and make them last as long as you possible can.

 

Best motivational quote: "You're looking real good!  Only 20 more miles to go, you can do it!", "It's just around the next corner." and "I read it in a book once that."

 

Your role model:  There are a couple old dogs out there, still running, that make me wonder just how long a body can do this.  They inspire me to lace ?em up and get out the door when I might otherwise take a day off.  So I guess that I have many role models.  All of you fellow runners are great to visit with and talk about days and races gone by and those runs still ahead of us.

 

Favorite food:  I'm probably the least finicky eater I know.  Lean protein before a run and anything after a run.  I eat "bad" stuff too.

 

Hobbies or interests other than running: I like to cut wood and put it back together in different forms and shapes.  Some folks call it carpentry.  I enjoy a good book once in a while.

 

Anything else the world might want to know about you:  I start my runs real slow and then slow down as the days progress.  So if that works for you, maybe we could go for a run one day.