Mike Rush

With Father's Day fast approaching, it seemed only fitting to connect with you with one of the running dad's who contributed to The Ultimate Runner.   Mike Rush shared his story of running a 5K with his daughter and the accomplishment of finishing the event together in the story, My Medallion.   As a parent who has slowly run a race with a child, I can identify with the moment of joy when finishing - no matter how long it took to get to the line.   Get to know Mike as he shares more about his running life.

Why did you start running?
 
I'd been teaching public school for five or six years when I realized I had a lot of personal stuff to think about.  I also needed to get into better shape.  Running was the answer.  My first running experience was a little less than half a mile in t-shirt, sweat pants, and high-top Converse basketball shoes.

Best running advice you ever received?
 
Refuel and hydrate during the run.  I didn't eat anything during my first marathon until about mile 20.  A lady was holding orange wedges and I was so hungry I ate the orange along with the peel.  I also thought I needed to run through all the water stations, as though I was trying to maintain my world-class pace (I finished in over 5 hours).  I hardly got any water down me, and this was on a humid Arkansas day in mid-May.  They've run that marathon in March every year since.  My second year, I ran with a pacer, one of those "gotta run a marathon in all fifty states" people.  She had been offered a free entry if she'd be the 11-minute pacer.  She taught me to drink at all the stations and that year, the organizers had arranged for goop at all the stations too, so I ate as well.  What a much better race.

Running wisdom you wished you learned earlier in your running?
 
Well, the above fits this question well.  However, for this one, I'll offer, "plan out bathroom stops on the long runs."  I have been caught so many times needing to go when there just wasn't a private place to do that.  I've emptied bladder and bowels in the most ridiculous and frightening places.  Maybe the wisdom I actually needed was how to manage those two organs so I wouldn't get caught out on the road with a load.  The absolute worst was the day I ran two ten-mile loops that ended back at my house.  After the first loop there was nothing I could do except change all my clothes and take a shower.

Favorite tip you pass along to runners?
 
Okay, this is a weird one, but when I started the long out-and-backs, I learned a trick that helped me finish.  On the way out, knowing I'd be on the other side of the road much later and much more fatigued, I talked to myself about the other side of the street.  "Okay, you'll be over there in a couple hours, be strong!"  I even talked to the street.  "I'll be all over you in a couple hours!"  I don't know how or why, but it helped.  Even after three or four hours of running, to run in a place I where I knew I'd be, a place where I had already encouraged myself, helped me finish.

Most read/used running book?
 
I ate up one of Dr. Sheehan's books back in the late 80's, but I don't have it, can't remember the title, and can't find it on the web.

Favorite running memory, run or race?
 
Well, the one I wrote about for Ultimate Runner is definitely a favorite.  I also cherish my first 20 mile run because I had never run further than 14 when I did it.  I had a ten mile loop and just decided to run it twice.  However, I got in deep trouble with my wife because I didn't tell her I was running it again after I got home.

Your running dream?
 
My running dream was to run an overseas marathon.  I lived in the Netherlands and wanted to run the London.  I applied, but since it would have been my first, I needed a compelling story to get a shot.  But I was just a late-thirties American dude with no other reason to run the thing than personal glory.  Had I survived cancer or was blind, I'd have had a much better chance.  As it was, they didn't invite me.  My feelings got hurt and I didn't run seriously again until I returned to the states.

What keeps you running?
 
Well...I'm actually taking a hiatus.  I'm letting the knees and hips heal themselves while at the same time, my wife and I have discovered swimming.  It's the first physical activity we've ever found we can do together.

How can runners contact you?
 
My email is [email protected].  His blog is:  http://mikerushteacher.blogspot.com/

Comments

[Supra shoes]

I have got start reading ability including possible types concerning weblogblog site your used jewelry,as well as the i was gday in order to really regularly maintain most blogdog owners words and phrases investigate desire being worthless tutorials,although your own house are generally actually, we not unlike make certain your amazing blog page,as well as a method fully feel fortunate moreover will probably find out things creative,and additionally explain to respect their this page when

[Assignments UK]

Really nice read thanks, I have added this to my Oyax bookmarks

[canada goose expedition jacket]

Thanks , I have just been looking for information about this topic for ages and yours is the best I’ve discovered till now.

[acekard]

Courage is not an absence of fear, but the ability to overcome or disregard fear.

[hollister clothing]

Nice one, there is actually some good points on this blog some of my readers may find this useful, I must send a link, many thanks.

[abercrombie Milano]

8. Coming from the standpoint of a fellow member with the fashion business, I genuinely enjoy your article.

[cheap moncler jackets]

I really appreciate your article, in fact I think you deserve a thumbs up.whyhp1314Z4ZLFLQI3K

[beats by dr dre uk]

Hongjian head out of the way, said: "There is nothing, that is, head a little pain. Xin Mei brother, really sorry for you today, you also upsets me disappointed, please continue something to eat, I would like to go home, and over days Xin Mei brother up to the government apology. "

[Amac Keylogger]

Your blog is very informative. This is obviously one great post I keep on reading articles from here. Thanks for sharing.

[Kids Status]

This is a great blog, usually i don’t location comments on blogs but I would like to opinion that this siting really forced me to do so.

[clavin johnson jerseys]

Not only is this a great idea, it is so fun to read the blog to find out about the fun stuff you find!

[post an ad pakistan]

To make matters worse they often abbreviate words to the point they lose meaning.
For advertisement do check the link

[writing an essay]

another wasting time...feel myself so boring reading this stuff. it doesn't helped me ((

[wholesale new era caps]

You should tolerate those opinions with you different people, like this day is better. If you always want to change him, that way you can be a pain. To learn how to do is stand him. You have to learn to tolerate his is.

http://www.wholesaleneweracaphats.com/

[new era caps wholesale]

Happiness is accompanied by sorrow, and the rain should have the clear sky. If rain remains after rain and sorrow remains after sorrow if. Please let us face this calmly leave after the departure. Smiles and it is impossible to find one of you!

[CustomWriting]

As would be great to add such a wonderful book with your memories!
And thanks to the author of this book for generosity, kindness, for those fond memories!

[cheap designer handbags]

good article.

[Moncler Outlet]

very nice news and i love it!

[Cheap Monster Beats]

it was very informative. I look forward in reading more of your work.
http://www.ourmonsterbeats.com/

[cheap designer handbags]

yes

[cheap air max]

On Saturday, a team of suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the airport in the region's main city of Peshawar.

Apple confounded Wall Street's expectations by announcing that it had sold more than 2m iPhone 5s in China, a record for the company, after a launch on Friday that observers had thought low-key.

[Wealth Management Training Course]

For the new beginnings for runners, one thing is be sure that you will be fully strong and wealthy also. You can start it by your management course as well, firstly you are taking some training for it also. In the beginnings for a runner some points are very crusal like: wealth, management, training and mostly time as well. Taking such courses you will easily become a good runner.

[wholesale designer handbags]

hrejtr

[cheap nike free]

Adding these easy-to-use tips into measures can prevent hassles,
The next report consists of some very beneficial advice made
to make vacation preparing easier and much more productive.
You have to plan in advance . Through the rough times,
Nike has been supportive of Woods and his many attempts to
get back to winning form.http://www.cheapnikefreerunshoe.com/