Those few of you, my dears, who read every post I make know that I am a huge fan of the Dump Runners Club podcast, produced out of Denver, CO. I really hope you have checked it out and downloaded at least one episode, if not subscribed to it and become a regular listener like me. Matt, the super-fast runner who hosts and produces the show, is smart, funny, gently opinionated and has decades of running experience which he brings to bear on his updates on the professional racing scene, the analyses of his own races and training, and segments that focus on single topics like downhill running, training for a finishing kick, and running with dogs. I’ve definitely integrated a lot of what I’ve learned from DRC into my own training and racing, to positive results.
Since I’m in Denver this week, there was no way I was passing up this opportunity to thank Matt in person for all of his helpful advice, and for reading my blog. We met for lunch, ironically (at least for me, considering my industry), in front of Barnes & Noble, then went around the corner to a salad and sandwich joint. It was so cool to skip out on the company lunch and sit with a friend and yammer on about all-things running for an uninterrupted hour. One little-known topic we covered was the qualifying time standards for guaranteed entry into the New York City Marathon (which are much tougher than those for Boston). He and his identical twin brother are going to get their bibs for the 2010 race by running a 1:30 half-marathon time (that’s a 6:52 pace; for the Masters 40+ category). His lack of concern about being able to meet that standard gives you an idea of exactly how fast Matt is. To put it in perspective against my own skill level, I’d have to run a 1:37 half-marathon for my age and gender group, which means cutting 11:50 off my PR, and averaging 7:24 minute-miles during the qualifying race!
Hanging out with Matt reminded me I’ll have to sort out my goals for 2009, even though we didn’t really get into it conversationally. I have a few ideas, but want to flesh them out a bit and map out the year with them before I commit. (I’ll post a wrap-up of my 2008 goals as well as a list of my 2009 goals the week between Christmas and New Years.) It also reminded me of what I like so much about his podcast–it definitely provides that aspirational value of surrounding myself with runners who are faster than myself.
It’s always gratifying to put a face with a name–or in this case, putting a face with a voice–and this time, it was a pleasure, as well. Oh, and to those of you who listen to Matt’s podcast, those kids he’s always talking about? I saw pictures, and they are beautiful!