This is the seventeenth edition of The Duluth Runner Interview Series, where we get in touch with (mainly) local runners and athletes to share a bit of their story while inspiring others to pursue an active lifestyle.
Intro
Today’s guests are the first husband/wife duo to be interviewed here on the website! They have lived in the Esko area for 32 years – one works at Jeff Foster Trucking in Superior (IT department) and the other works at RAM Mutual in Esko (Loss Investigation/Loss Control department).
They like to run races together and each have their own dedicated training routine. Today’s guests are…Joe & Sue Wischnewski!
Interview
Why is running important to you?
Joe – Exercise has always been important to me. I like to workout and push myself. I think the health benefits are substantial. Now it’s more about keeping healthy with a little bit of competition to spice it up.
Sue – I have always exercised but I began running 20+ years ago, and immediately became hooked!! Running provides so many opportunities … it’s an outlet to a stressful day, the health benefits are numerous, and don’t get me going on the social aspect!!!
What are the top two or three things that you do to prevent injury? Have you been susceptible to certain injuries in the past?
Joe – I try to stay rested, get good sleep & lately run every other day. I also use a foam roller before my runs, start slowly and walk if I am feeling tired. Most of my injuries come from too many miles or ramping up the mileage too fast.
Sue – I stretch before every run. I’m not a fast runner by any means so that probably helps in keeping the injuries down. If I do get an injury, it is usually plantar fasciitis.
What keeps you motivated when you don’t feel like heading out the door for a run?
Joe – It is a blessing to be healthy and able to run – it is motivating to me to keep healthy.
Sue – I have a great group of friends that meet at my house for early morning runs, and I need to get out of bed to meet them. Also my husband … he is a rock star!
Who is in your workout support group (training partners, people to bounce ideas off of, etc.)?
Joe – Mostly a few friends and my wife.
Sue – My posse that I run with at 5:15 a.m. three days a week – rain or shine, dark or light, warm or cold. They are amazing women!
When/what is your next race?
Joe & Sue – Probably the WhistleStop this fall.
Do you prefer roads or trails and why?
Joe – I like both. Nothing better than getting on a trail and being in nature. But I also like the consistent pace of roads. I like the mix and would not want to do one all the time.
Sue – Most of my runs are on the roads, but lately I have been running trails one day a week to mix it up a bit.
What is your most memorable race or running achievement?
Joe – We have had a great opportunity to run while we travel (California, Washington DC, Washington State, Arizona) and have also traveled to compete in races (California, Arizona, North Dakota, Wisconsin). My favorite was a run in Japan with my brother’s running club. The mix of cultures, opportunity, the party after … we had a fun time.
Sue – My first Grandma’s Half Marathon I completed. I can still remember the crowds cheering for me at the finish line and thinking how exciting it was when they didn’t even know who I was. I was pretty emotional.
Name one racing experience you would like to forget (please describe).
Joe – Failing at my second, and last attempt at Grandma’s Marathon. I ended up in the emergency room with cramps that would not go away. Important tidbit … do not change your race strategy the day before the race!!
Sue – I’ve been running half marathons for a long time. Lately they have not been so fun. I tend to cramp up during my race and it usually doesn’t end well. I’ve made the decision to move to 10k races. I feel much better after those races!!
What is something non-running related you would like to share with readers?
Joe – We are truly blessed with the freedoms we have in this country. We have been to places such as Haiti and Guatemala, where they would not think of running (or hobbies in general). It’s all about surviving for them, so don’t take your freedoms for granted.
Sue – My husband and I keep pretty active. But in my down time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. They are an important part of my life and I cherish the time together.
Closing
Many thanks to Joe and Sue for agreeing to stop by The Duluth Runner and share some of their knowledge/experiences with everyone. I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Interview Series – stick around for more to come!