HRG Runner Profile: Meet Durwin!

It's amazing how much support and inspiration you can find from other runners online - whether through blogs, Facebook, or Twitter! Following my last race - the Hypothermic Half Marathon - I had lots of fun chatting about the experience with runners who I'd never met, but who had also had the same experience and run the same course as me on the same day.

So, since it's been awhile since my last HRG Runner Profile, I decided to reach out to some of the running buddies who I've made online.

Without further ado, I give you Durwin (aka @Durwin)!

HRG: How long have you been running?
Durwin: I'm coming up to 2 years now.

HRG: How and why did you start?
Durwin: Medical reason. I started getting crazy symptoms, burning up, tired all the time. So I got some blood work done and my doctor said I was one step away from being a diabetic. You need to change the way you eat and get some exercise.

The first week after march break 2010, one day I went for a walk. A couple of days later, another walk. Eventually I was walking every day. By the middle of April I started adding a jog to my walk. Then I found an iPhone app called Couch to 5k and started doing that. My running took off from there.

HRG: Favourite part of running?
Durwin: Telling people how far I go and their jaw drops every time. Sackville to Joseph Howe superstore and back. Running home from work, downtown HFX to Sackville. Sullivan's pond to Forrest hills extension and back.

HRG: Least favourite part of running?Durwin: Marathons are grouped together every spring and fall, which limits me to how many I can do. I miss out on a lot of races.

HRG: Favourite time of year/weather to run in?
Durwin: Summer and fall. Nothing better than a 6am run in the park as the sun is coming up and it's not too hot out. I also like running in a warm rain. Feels great.

Here's a little thing I do. Sunday mornings I start my run at Banook Lake and do my run through Shubie Park, then go for a swim in the lake. 8am, 10 min swim feels great after a long run. I just jump in with my running clothes on.

HRG: Favourite distance to run?
Durwin: I don't know why but 24k is one of my most popular distances. Aside from 5k and 21k, I
usually run even numbers only; 12k, 18k, 32k, 36k.

HRG: Favourite route (training or race) to run?
Durwin: On the weekends during the summer my runs are at Shubie Park. Most people don't know that the trails go all the way out to Forrest Hill turnoff. During the winter I run along the Bedford Highway. There's a bike lane or sidewalk to use and the roads are clear. During the week I run around the city.

HRG: How do you keep motivated?
Durwin: If I get slack on my exercising, I start feeling like crap and tired all the time. I don't like that so I keep running and exercising. Plus it doesn't hurt to have a set of running goals for the year. Me and my wife plan a trip every year to a marathon, so we would be very disappointed if we spent all that money and had a bad run.

HRG: Best pre-race meal?
Durwin: Oatmeal, one serving. 1 small banana and half a glass of OJ 1 1/2 to 2 hrs before the race.

HRG: Best post-race meal?
Durwin: Bacon cheese burger, Fries and a milkshake.

HRG: Upcoming race goal?
2012 - Blue Nose Full, Johnny miles Half, Maritime Race Full, PEI Full, Valley Harvest Half, Moncton Half, lucky seven relay, Las Vegas Rock N Roll Marathon Full.

HRG: Tips or words of wisdom for new runners?
I always tell runners, no matter what, how tired, sore or what pain your in, run across the finish line.

HRG: Thanks, Durwin!