This is the sixty-third 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 currently live in the Duluth area with my wife Wenday. We raised our 3 Children in Cloquet and they have since spread out between Arizona, Idaho and Duluth.
I have pretty much have been connected to the Duluth area my entire life. Spent my first 35 years in Cloquet before relocating through various job opportunities in Australia, Minneapolis and Omaha. After our stint in Australia we returned to Cloquet until our 3 children graduated and found ourselves as empty-nesters.
I really credit Mike Bushey, Jody Zeleznikar and Tim Prosen for planting those initial running seeds by creating such a positive and fun environment around the Cross Country and Track programs in Cloquet, which our children were involved in.
After our youngest moved away in 2010, our niece Lindsey Skenzich asked if we’d run a half marathon with her. At that point neither of us had run much since the early 90’s. Not long after the Sorenson Stampede was born and along with 7 or 8 additional friends and family members we ran the Whistle Stop Half Marathon in October of 2011. We enjoyed that experience so much we just kept running.
After moving to Omaha in 2012, I met a few trail runners from the GOATz (Greater Omaha Area Trail Runnerz) in a State Park Trailhead at 4 am. A few hugs and high fives later and I was full-on into the trail running community. Fast forward 9 or 10 years and I’ve been lucky enough to experience numerous training runs and start lines in some really cool places.”
Today’s guest is…Steve Sorenson!
Interview
Why is running important to you?
I love the freedom and simplicity of being able to lace up, walk out the door and spend some time outside exercising/taking in all the cool things nature gives us. I’m also not very good at sitting still and its an easy way to keep moving. And…I kinda get jazzed by the social running community and starting/finish lines.
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 do have an established routine of core and hips downs exercises I try to commit to a couple times per week. When I do, I avoid injury. I also try to wrap in some cross training between biking and just general hiking and outdoor labor. But I get lazy and typically about every 16 months when I start feeling bullet proof and begin skipping the core and cross training, then I end up nursing a new injury for a while.
What keeps you motivated when you don’t feel like heading out the door for a workout?
Though I train mostly alone, having a core group of friends that also run is a key component for me. While in Omaha back in 2015, I developed very close friendships with a group of guys that would gather every Saturday morning for a long run at the Hitchcock Nature Center. We coined our group the Breakfast Club, and ever since, even though we’ve spread out a bit. We are regularly keeping tabs and motivating each other. Sometimes through a kind word of support, and sometimes not so gently.
Who is in your workout support group (training partners, people to bounce ideas off of, etc.)?
Definitely starts with the Breakfast Club mentioned above and Cary Johnson whom I’ve been friends with since grade school. Lately, I’ve also been able to plug into some local young guys (Joe Calaguire, Sam Jacobson and Brandon Johnson) who keep me from getting too old too fast.
When/what is your next race?
I’m really looking forward to the Hitchcock 50 in December. The GOATz put on a great event there and it will be a real fun homecoming for me in many ways. I made a lot of great friends through the GOATz during the time I spent in Omaha.
Do you prefer roads or trails and why?
I’m definitely a trail person. Prior to running I spent as much time as possible outdoors fishing, hunting and exploring. Running on trails has just added to that experience. Plus, I find it much easier on some fairly arthritic knees.
What do you think about while you run?
I’m really all over the place. Might just be focused on the present and everything around me. Or, I could be solving some complex commercial negotiations or planning my next project out at our family cabin.
What is your most memorable race or running achievement?
There have been so many great moments.
Boston 2013 was certainly memorable but not in a positive way. Western States in 2015 and 2019 were incredible experiences. Both Boston and Western States were a couple early bucket list races I wanted to be part of and fortunately I was able to run each of those twice. But overall, having the opportunity to run in marathons or longer across the U.S. and all the way to Bhutan has been a real blast. Prior to starting the journey in 2010, I never would have imagined the races and places I’ve been able to be a part of.
One of the most memorable races I witnessed was the 2004 State Single A boys 4x200m final when Hermantown pulled out the win in the final stretch. True story…we were down for my daughter Becca’s 1600m event but watching you guys win that race was awesome. So much energy in the stands and such a great event!
(Background: I (Kyle) ran track back in high school and was lucky enough to be a part of some fast Hermantown relay teams…and now run trail ultramarathons?!?!? Makes sense right?)
Name one racing experience you would like to forget (please describe).
Not sure I want to forget any of them. The tough days are good learning moments. At IMTUF 100 in 2020 I dropped at mile 50 and took my first non-injury related DNF. I let the negative talk get in and just got tired of fighting an awful stomach issue. Instead of staying positive and problem solving through it; I quit. The next morning Sam and I went out and hammered an 8 mile shake out run as though I didn’t run at all the day before. That one stuck with me and I didn’t like it. It was nice to take those lessons with me; go back this year and face some similar challenges but be able to problem solve through them and finish the race.
What is something non-endurance activity related you would like to share with readers?
Have people close to you that lift you up and keep you positive just because of who you are. Sometimes for me, and many others; the spark of competition and thrill of finishing a 100 mile race or any race is what keeps our chin up. And sometimes, that hunger is never fully met. You always need another trail head or start line. For most of us… we’ll outlive the start lines that were able to make it to. So it’s really important that you find that balance and variety of other important things that help maintain your mental health. Healthy relationships, giving back to the community, faith, time with family. And then, look out for each other and give back to the community that gives to others.
Closing
Many thanks to Steve 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!