This is the fourth edition of The Duluth Runner Interview Series, where I get in touch with (mainly) local runners and athletes to share a bit of their story while inspiring others to pursue an active lifestyle.
I am not one for lengthy intros, so you will not get them as part of this series. However, I will be providing you with SOME details about the interviewee 🙂
Intro
Today’s guest has taught me a lot about running and helped push me to new limits when I was in high school. He was a student teacher at the time (Hermantown) and helped out with the track team. I respected his opinion, both running and life related, and looked up to him in many ways (still do!).
We would even meet up in the summer for early morning runs around UMD when I was in high school. One workout in particular stands out though…a 20x400m workout on the university track, far crazier/harder than anything I had done in my life at that point! All repeats were performed under 70 seconds with 90 seconds of rest where we would take turns leading each lap. I still regard this as one of the best workouts of my life!
He can fly as a runner (PRs of 2:36:52 & 1:13:12 for full/half marathons respectively), but also in the water and on the bike, as he’s had some great success participating in triathlons. He is currently a math teacher in Brainerd, MN…today’s guest is Casey Miller!
Interview
Why is running important to you?
The answer to this question has evolved over time. As a kid and young adult, I found that I was kind of a natural at running so it was a great competitive outlet for me where I had a lot of success. When I was in my 20’s and moving around I found that it was a great way to meet people, learn the area, and have a group of friends that I could meet up with to exercise and learn from.
After I started a family and my kids started getting older I found that I wanted to keep running and competing so they could see me as an example of hard work and what it can accomplish…hoping they will see what it takes and apply it to their own lives whether that’s through running or something else they are passionate about.
Finally, my Dad passed away two years ago and he was an avid runner and is a big reason why I started running. Sometimes during those early morning runs I feel this connection to him that I can’t have anymore since his passing. I enjoy that time in a spiritual sense and it helps me with his passing.
What are the top two or three things that you do to prevent injury? Have you been susceptible to certain injuries in the past?
I have been running for about 30 years and can probably count on 1 hand the number of days I’ve missed due to injuries. My two rules to healthy running for me are make sure that I buy shoes that I know have worked for me in the past and 2, a slow progression in volume and listening to my body if I’m overdoing my training.
What keeps you motivated when you don’t feel like heading out the door for a run?
Goals. I have to sign up for a race that is meaningful to me and set a goal for that race that is meaningful and possible but will require a good training block. Very easy to lay in bed when you don’t have a goal you are chasing but if the goal is important to you then you will get out the door and get the workout you need in to be successful.
Who is in your running support group (training partners, people to bounce ideas off of, etc.)?
This has changed over time as well. It used to be my high school and college teammates. When I moved to Alaska I met a great group of runners and learned more about running in 4 years there than anywhere else. When I moved back to the Brainerd Lakes Area, a group called the Lakes Area Multi Sport (LAMS) started up and I learned a lot about the sport of triathlon and kinda fell in love with that sport for awhile. I think it was because I had support for that sport that I wasn’t finding for running in the area.
The last few years I’ve just kinda been on my own. I use social media to some degree to still communicate with some of my old running pals but I feel as though I’ve learned enough about myself over the years to kinda lay out a good plan and stick to it.
When/what is your next race?
Next big race for me is the Fargo Marathon in May. Now that I’ve turned 40 I’m kinda trying to get after this Master’s Division running a little bit more.
Do you prefer roads or trails and why?
I love racing on a track or roads mostly because i’m very time oriented. If I had to choose between a nice trail run or a road run for training I’d probably choose the trail run.
What is your most memorable race or running achievement?
I’d have to go way back to 1996 at the state high school track meet. I was the 13 seed in the 3200m as a junior and wasn’t really expected to do anything in the race. After 1 mile I was in 10th place and with 1 lap to go in the race I took the lead only to get passed by 1 person in the last 150m of the race and finish 2nd place overall. I set a new school record that day and it is still the Wahpeton High School 3200m record today.
Name one racing experience you would like to forget (please describe).
Ironman Texas 2018. I’ve suffered from heat induced sickness many times in the past but with 2.2 miles to go at Ironman Texas last year I hit a whole new low on heat induced illness. It took me roughly 2.5 hours to finish the last 2+ miles and was probably the most humbling experience of my endurance racing life!
What is something non-running related you would like to share with readers?
I’m a 7th Grade Math Teacher for the Brainerd School District, where I coach Soccer and Track. I’ve been married for 16 years to my wife Christa. We have two kids, Madelyn 11 and Beckett 8. Both of them enjoy swimming, biking, running, baseball/softball, and basketball.
Closing
Many thanks to Casey for agreeing to stop by The Duluth Runner and share some of his knowledge/experiences with everyone. I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Interview Series – stick around for more to come!
