100th Marathon This Sunday for Houstonian!

The Chevron Houston Marathon happens this Sunday. Houstonist likes to head to the route with friends (and some hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps) and cheer on the crazies runners, as they do what seems to us, the impossible, run 26.2 miles. Yes, you won't catch us out running, if you do - yell "stop, drop and roll" because we're on fire and in our panic forgot to, or, run the same way because we are "skeered". On that note, we discovered that a friend of ours is planning to complete marathon number one hundred on Sunday. That's not just exciting, that's very impressive. We decided to ask some questions and see exactly why and how he's been able to accomplish such a feat. No, he did not start running marathons as a toddler. In fact, he started running competetively in 1991. If you happen to be in town this weekend and venture out to the route - please look for him and cheer like you mean it! For more information about the Chevron Houston Marathon, click HERE.

This Sunday marks your 100th competitive marathon, how many years have you been running?

I Started in '87 & 1st Marathon in '91.

At what point in your life did you start competing in marathons and what was the driving force behind your decision?

53 years old - Primary reason"health" (I'd been diagnosed with Emphysema in '85)

How many times have you completed the Texas Marathon Challenge?

If you mean Dallas,Houston & Austin? 18? Just a guess....

What kind of training schedule do you have to maintain to compete as often as you do and how do you fit that schedule in and still have plenty of time for work and socializing?

Originally I had to work it into working & coaching kids sports, usually trying to get miles in before practice started. I coached for 37 years in the "Alief Youth Assoc." but left 3-4 years ago, I'm semi-retired now with my own business so I can train any time, very flexible now depending on what other activity I'm involved in ie: snow sking,riding my Harley or drinking beer with friends.(Very Important)

How do you stay fairly injury free?

Luck! Actually no one goes "Injury Free" in this sport,as all long distance runners have aches & pains on a regular basis. It's just that you learn how to deal with them and our pain threshold is much higher than normal people...

What is your opinion of the recommendation that a person run no more than four marathons per year?

Depends on where you are in running. The faster runners are going to do less marathons per year than the slower ones and the reason is the sheer pounding and energy exertion that the faster ones have to produce to get their desired result, a slower runner will exert plenty of energy because they are out on the course longer but walking intervals help to give the body somewhat of a break therefore allowing the slower guy to get more marathons into a year.

Do you follow a certain running technique? There are different schools of thought as to whether it’s easier on your body to run on your toes, flat-footed or overpronate, what is your opinion?

I try for heel and roll sort of foot strike, I've noticed the Toe Strikers and can't imagine the pain they have to endure after a complete marathon.

How important are the right shoes and what are your recommendations? How often, or how many miles per pair do you think is optimal?

400 to 500-most people have to experiment but should go to the Runner Stores for different perspectives and then go with what feels good, remember socks are a part of the equation... (Houstonist once gave our socks to a friend around mile 21 "No, I don't want an orange, a banana, or water - I want your socks." We happily went home sockless.)

Do you follow a specific type of diet to compete? Do you believe that carb-loading the day before a marathon works well?

You should be carbo loading all the time if you run on a daily routine. Hint: I never eat 12 Hours before start time and I do not eat the morning of the race.

We understand that you had to adjust your marathon schedule in order to make sure that you ran in Houston for your 100th, how many total marathons have you completed this year to make that happen?
If you mean 2009 - 7 total 3 of those since October.

What will you be wearing, or what will your number be? We’d like to make sure that Houstonians know to cheer you on, as this is a very impressive milestone!

The Bib #411 on a white singlet with a burnt orange UT Headband. (Weather could change this)

All the best to J.P. - he rocks! Like we said, look for him and cheer him on! This is an amazing milestone.

Photo courtesy of J.P. Fredrickson