Lead Photo by: Cary Johnson

This is the fifty-ninth 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

“What’s up?!…My name is Joe Calaguire. I am 38 years old and a Corrections Officer at MCF Togo and a volunteer paid on call Firefighter for the City of Nashwauk. In high school, I was a 3-sport athlete playing baseball, football and hockey and went on to pitch at the College of St. Scholastica. During those years, I did not find any pleasure in running and refused to run any longer than was required of me. I did not start running until 2011 when I signed up for my first race, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.

After 7 years of road running, I switched gears to trail running and now consider myself an Ultra Runner. Away from running, I enjoy camping, hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, duck hunting and spending time with family.”

Interview

Why is running important to you?

Running is important to me because it helps me decompress from the daily grind and gets me outdoors. All I have to do is lace up the shoes and step out the door, which can be a challenge in itself once in a awhile. After stepping out that door, I can let me mind wander as little or as much as I want for the duration of my run. It keeps me both physically and mentally fit.   

What are the top two or three things that you do to prevent injury? Have you been susceptible to certain injuries in the past?

Let’s be honest here…I’m a human garbage can and enjoy a tasty beer or two! I have been quite fortunate as I have not really had to deal with any injuries other than the usual runner’s aches and pains of training. One might find it odd, but I do very little for injury prevention maintenance even though I know I should. On occasion, I will stretch, do some foam rolling or cross train but more than anything, I simply listen to what my body is telling me. This might be slowing my pace, ending my run short or even taking the day off to rest. Weight training is something that I really should work back into my schedule.  

What keeps you motivated when you don’t feel like heading out the door for a workout?

My motivation is my competitive nature and challenging myself by setting goals high and going after them, even if I think they are unreachable. If I’m not signed up for a race, motivation becomes a little more difficult in getting out the door and taking more than one or two days off from running in a row can be contagious.

Once signed up, it’s usually Game On, Go Time! While training, I have the mind that we cannot control the weather on race day, so I force myself to run in all weather conditions. I try avoid the treadmill as much as I can because it is evil. The “Dreadmill” is typically my last choice of running but can be a great way to get a crazy, hard incline workout in!  

Who is in your workout support group (training partners, people to bounce ideas off of, etc.)?

I have a very small training support group and do most of my running solo. My biggest support of all, is my girlfriend of 14 years, Rachel. She has been a huge part of my success in many of my Ultras. Crewing is no easy task; from driving Aid Station to Aid Station, crewing all day and night with little to no sleep, keeping me fed and hydrated, handling smelly sweaty gear, encouraging and putting up with me while never complaining, but simply supporting me! She encourages me to get out the door on days I don’t feel like running. Other days she will bike alongside and have me push the pace for a negative split run. I rarely thank her for her time, support and encouragement; Thank You Rachel!

My brother-in-law Sam and sister Christine Olson are also a big part of my support and success. Most of our camping and vacation trips are planned around running and hiking, which have included Oregon, Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon, the North Shore, Jay Cooke State Park, the Superior Hiking Trail, the BWCAW and many other local MN areas.

Up until this past year, I would take my dogs Mallie and Dexter running with me. With the change in work schedule, I have neglected to take them running with me, as a lot of my running is done at work during the CIP Participants’ morning PT sessions. Brandon Johnson, Sam Jacobson and Gretchen Metsa have also been awesome running partners, but working the graveyard (midnight to 8am shift) has made it difficult to get out and run with friends, especially when travel is involved and sleep is needed. 

When/what is your next race?

The next races that I have scheduled are Wild Duluth 100k (this weekend) and The Hitchcock Experience 100 Miler in Honey Creek, Iowa in December.  

Do you prefer roads or trails and why?

I started running in 2011 and was strictly a road runner until 2018. During that time, I participated in multiple half marathon and marathon distance races. I was briefly introduced to trail running in 2015 and 2017 during the Vacation Races’ Lake Powell Half Marathon and Zion Half Marathon but did not become a trail runner until 2018, when I qualified but did not have a fast enough qualifying time to be selected for the Boston Marathon. I still have an ultimate goal of running a sub-3 hour marathon and running the Boston Marathon, but I’m primarily a trail runner now.

Road running training is just flat out hard on the body and joints, not to mention recovery time. When trail running, you’re constantly changing your pace between running, hiking and walking depending on the terrain and using many different muscle groups compared to road running. Trail running seems to be a lot more mental than physical, as you’re constantly trying to work through the lows and highs that occur during long runs and ultra races. Trail running eventually becomes mind over matter, how well you can adapt and problem solve over the many miles while on the trail.

While trail running, you’re out in Nature’s finest elements. You can let yourself go in the ruggedness of the deep forests, the ridge lines, rivers, streams and waterfalls, the sounds of nature (or lack of) and the wildlife.

What do you think about while you run?

While I’m running, I just try clear my mind and not think about anything. Thinking about things can create more stress, thus defeating the purpose of why I’m running in the first place. Running is my time away from everything, unless I’m enjoying a good, long run with a buddy.

However, while running longer distance training runs, I try to simulate and problem solve situations that may arise on race day. Being able to adapt to the weather and the body’s physical and/or mental demands can pay huge dividends on race day, as you have already practiced problem solving issues that typically occur during ultra races.

While running, I also tend to think a lot about my family; how important they are to me and how fortunate I am to have them in my life. The importance and appreciative-ness of my family is something that I really need to vocalize more. When things are not vocalized, it can come off as being selfish and not feeling important or appreciated on the other end! 

What is your most memorable race or running achievement?

My most memorable race and running achievements would be completing my first and only 100 mile race, the Fall Superior 100 Mile Endurance Run in 2019 and completing an Everesting attempt in 2020, during the Covid-19 Pandemic, at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, where I climbed and descended Spirit Mountain until I reached the elevation of Mt. Everest at 29,029’. 

Name one racing experience you would like to forget (please describe).

The one race experience that I would like to forget is the 2017 Chicago Marathon. I went into this race looking for a Boston Marathon qualifying time and entrance into the race. I put in countless hours of training and sweat for Chicago and the chance to run at Boston. I was having the race of my life until I realized at mile 22, that I was running with the sub 3 pace group and not the 3 hour pace group. By the time I realized what was going on, it was too late. Even though I finished with a BQ time of 3:06:05, I missed my entrance into Boston by a little more than 1 minute. Maybe one day I will try again! 

What is something non-running related you would like to share with readers?

Given the opportunity, I love being lazy and like to sleep! There are days where I could stay in bed or sit on the couch all day long and not have any regrets in the world! WEIRD…ISN’T IT?! 

Closing

Many thanks to Joe for stopping by Duluth Runner to share some of his knowledge/experiences with everyone. I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Interview Series – stick around for more to come!