This is the fortieth 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.
Intro
“I became interested in running in the 7th grade when my family moved to a school that didn’t have a football team. My only sports option was this unknown sport called cross country. I was instantly hooked.
Since then, I’ve always had an affinity for running, especially on the trails. And it turned out, I was actually pretty good at it. Just kinda lazy…”
Today’s guest is…Keith Thompson!
Interview
Why is running important to you?
Running for me has always been very freeing. Mentally, physically, spiritually. Whatever life threw at me, I could always combat it on the trails. I fought for the longest time with depression. Medications, therapy, even working extremely long hours couldn’t do what an hour or two on the trails could do. Being past that now, running for me is more about keeping my weight down and distracting me from the outside world.
What are the top two or three things that you do to prevent injury? Have you been susceptible to certain injuries in the past?
Ha, I drink milk so I don’t break anything on my many falls. I don’t stretch, do yoga, cross train, though I know all would help me. I’ve had an underlying back issue for many years that I’m just starting to get cleared up now. I’m being told that in order to keep doing what I love (and make it through the day upright), I needed to actually start stretching and looking into yoga. Ugh!
What keeps you motivated when you don’t feel like heading out the door for a workout?
There’s my issue. Unless I’m running with a group or with someone, I have a hard time motivating myself to go run. I’ll sign up for races that sound interesting or extremely difficult, thinking that that in itself would motivate me to run more. Nope! I’ll get to the starting line, kinda in shape, and hope for the best. Eventually, I would like to find myself a coach or trainer who can push me every day to get out there and get into a routine. Any takers? 😉
Who is in your running support group (training partners, people to bounce ideas off of, etc.)?
My family is always there to go out for a run with me if we have the time. My sister is always up for an adventure, typically no questions asked. I have a couple friends that I can usually get to come with me.
Otherwise, I’m typically a solo runner. I don’t have to try and match pace or feel like I’m holding people back. As far as bouncing ideas off, everybody listens to my ideas. Whether they agree with them is kind of a crap shoot. Like, my wife is my realist. She hears me talking about some 200 mile race I’m interested in and immediately reminds me of the single digit mileage I put in last week. Oh well, maybe next year 🙂
When/what is your next race?
As of right now, I’m only signed up for the Kettle Moraine 100 mi relay with my mom, sister, and mom’s boyfriend in June. With everything up in the air and last year’s races being deferred, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of options as of yet. I’d like to find a few more ultras to fit in, maybe do Birkie 100k again…
Do you prefer roads or trails and why?
Definitely trails. I love being out in nature. There’s just something about the sound of animals rustling in the woods, the wind going the trees that just makes the run that much easier. And being tall, natural ground just feels so much better on my knees and back than blacktop.
What do you think about while you run?
What don’t I think about? I think about what I’ve done that day, what I need to do, what races I want to do, how painful that last fall was, pretty waterfall, Squirrel!
What is your most memorable race or running achievement?
I have a few for different reasons. The Duluth mile like 10 yrs ago because that was the only race I’ve ever won. Boston about 15 yrs ago because, well, it’s Boston.
And Kettle Moraine 100 mi, because I never knew that that distance would ever be attainable for me and almost wasn’t without my crew (mom) pushing me through the night.
Name one racing experience you would like to forget (please describe).
I’ve DNF’d 3 times I believe. Any one of those I would love to forget. All of them were due to poor training and overdoing it. I had to pull out of Wild Duluth after 45 miles because my body stopped taking nutrients, Chippewa 50k with only 6 miles left due to muscle exhaustion, but I think if I had just rested a little longer, I could’ve finished. Still kicking myself for that one.
And Trail Mix 50k, I pushed it for 2 laps, and then my legs died. I would love to forget all of those races but they always sit in the back of mind. I’ll go back to finish each one and get redemption at some point.
What is something non-running related you would like to share with readers?
I love learning new things and pushing my mind. I love trivia, logic questions, brain busters, riddles, anything to make me think outside the box. I love being challenged because I love the feeling I get when I conquer it. Whether it be puzzles, card games with my wife, math questions, or the meaning of life, my brain is always going. Maybe someday my legs will catch up to my thoughts…
Closing
Many thanks to Keith for agreeing to stop by 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!