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RUNOHIO
MID-JANUARY/MID-MARCH 2017
2016 RUNOHIO Grand Prix Winners and Interviews The 2016 RUNOHIO Grand Prix was a series of races chosen by runners and the staff of RUNOHIO to be part of a statewide grand prix. Criteria used in determining the RUNOHIO Grand Prix races were: 1) Runners ranking from RUNOHIO, 2) Race Organization, 3) Quality of the race field, 4) Size of the race, 5) Geographical location, 6) Date of the race, 7) Distance of the race. RUNOHIO also tired to have only one race on a given weekend and not pick holiday races. Up to seven races for individual scoring. Early races on the 2017 RUNOHIO Grand Prix include: March 5th – Columbus Arnold 5K/Arnold 5K Pump and Run, March 11th – Columbus Grove Beer Bottle Open 4 Miler, March 11th – Cleveland St. Malachi 5 Miler, and March 12th – Cincinnati Heart Mini Marathon 15km.
EVAN SCHWARTZ
Evan Schwartz, 23 lives in Clintonville and is the manager of the Short North Columbus Running Company When and how did you first start running? “ The first race I ran was a 1 mile fun run for kids before the Columbus Marathon in 2000. I finished third and loved being able to actually cross a finish line competing against other people. From then on I ran a handful of road 5ks until I joined the track team in middle school. I continued to run in high school then in college at Ohio State. I was cut from the OSU roster after my second year for not being fast enough. I was motivated after that to get better and I joined the Columbus Running Company team a year later and have been loving running Ohio road races since.” How do you train and what is your favorite workout? “ I like to run quite a bit of volume/weekly mileage since I’ve found that works well for me. This year I’ve averaged 110 miles per week with a high of 130. Typically I’ll do a bit longer easy run or workout before going to work then do another 30-45 minute run after work. I’ve found running twice per day helps reinforce the concept of a routine and helps with overall consistency. My favorite workout would have
by Matt McGowan
as much as is convenient for you should be the biggest priority. Other than that, knowing that one run does not make or break you, but the cumulative efforts over time make you reach your goals!”
MATT LEMON
Matt Lemon, 27, lives in Dayton and works as an Electrical Engineer at GE Aviation
EVAN SCHWARTZ to be fartlek running, specifically 1 minute on, 1 minute off. Anywhere from 10-20 repeats of that at a good solid effort can be used year round as a staple workout.” What do you like about running and racing? “I really enjoy the culture of distance running and racing. The types of people you meet on the starting line are some of the best people out there that all share the same passion for training to become better versions of themselves and express it by racing.” What do you think of the RUNOHIO Grand Prix and what grand prix races were your favorite races last year and why? “The concept of the RUNOHIO Grand Prix is fantastic. Being able to see familiar faces and multiple races makes for a less stressful race day and reinforces the community that distance runners belong to. My favorite few races in the series would have to be the Columbus 10K because it is a local race, JohnnyCake Jog 5 mile because it’s in a different part of the state, and the Jeff McGowan Memorial 5K because it supports a great cause.” Any advice for runners who want to improve their running? “My advice would be to focus on being consistent with training. Being able to set a routine and enjoy getting out the door
When and how did you first start running? “I started running in kindergarten at St. Aloysius in Bowling Green, OH, where my Dad was the coach through the Catholic Youth Organization. My older brother, Paul, twin brother, Chris, and younger sister, Liz, who all also went on the run competitively through high school and college. I thank my parents, St John’s Jesuit coaches Todd Black & Keith Madaras, University of Dayton coach Rich Davis, Dave’s Running, and Up and Running for enabling my running career.” How do you train and what is your favorite workout? “I like to run with my wife, Maura, 16 mo old daughter Maggie (stroller), twin brother Chris, and other local runners. I run about 70-90 mi/week including workouts adapted from the Hansons Marathon Method, and have to thank Chris and Isaiah Bragg for pushing me through these workouts. My favorites are the track intervals, such as mile repeats, where we’d really start to pick up the effort.” What do you like about running and racing? “The best gift running gave me was it introduced me to my wife Maura, who was a standout at UD as well as post-collegiately. Racing is an important commonality in our marriage that provides us an outlet to support each other as we take our running careers to the next level.” What do you think of the RUNOHIO Grand Prix and what grand prix races were your favorite races last year and why? “The RUNOHIO Grand Prix includes some of the best organized and most competitive races in Ohio. I’m always partial to Glass City, as I grew up in BG, but in 2016 my
CORY IRVIN
(Photo by Fairfield photography)
MATT LEMON
favorite race was the Dayton Lou Cox Memorial 5K, where I set a new road PR in the 5K, which motivated me to run well at several other races last year.” Any advice for runners who want to improve their running? “My running has improved this past year due to regular workouts with some of the best athletes in the area. Additionally, Maura and I have made time for us both to run by using the stroller with our daughter Maggie and offsetting our training as needed. I also recommend making a training plan for the upcoming months and logging runs to keep track.” CORY IRVIN Cory Irvin, 27, lives in Canal Winchester where he is a Restaurant Manager with Cameron Mitchell Restaurants When and how did you first start running? “I first started running in the 7th grade after being forced to give track a try by my parents after my older brother found success at cross country and track and field in high school. I hung up the football cleats for track spikes.” How do you train and what is your favorite workout? “I train a moderate level rarely running more than 75 miles per
week. I run 7 days a week with most runs being a comfortable 6:25-6:45 mile pace and a long run every week. I will through in some tempos and the occasional speed workout, but the core of my training is a long gradual progressive run of 1416 miles closing at 10km-half marathon pace the last few miles.” What do you like about running and racing? “What I like about running is the balance it gives life. Fitness is extremely important and can be achieved in numerous manners, but running is a total mind and body experience. I enjoy the feeling of physical fatigue that a long run provides and all of the time you have with your thoughts and to be tranquil with yourself during the course of the run. It truly breaks up the monotony of normal day to day activities. I enjoy racing a lot because I feel it is the best way to kickstart a hard training block and get into goal race shape. Races hold you accountable for your fitness and I like that. It doesn’t matter how hard you train, it matters how you race and how satisfied you are with the results. We all train for different reasons, I do it for the fun and satisfaction that it brings me.” What do you think of the RUNOHIO Grand Prix and what grand prix races were