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Michael Sawyer
Round Rock, Texas
38
Running Experience:
Intermediate
Why should we pick you to go to the North Pole?:
My running experience is limited. I only started running 4-5 years ago. Prior to that, running was a word that I wouldn't speak. I hated it. That all changed when my Dr. told me that I had pre-hypertension and he as going to stick me on medicine to control it. Whoa! I'm only 33, too young for daily medicine. My other option was to lose weight. So, I started running. Now I'll admit, I still didn't like running, but after the first month of changed diet and running, the pounds just started to drop. Over all, I lost about 50 pounds. As I continued to run, I was talked into running an organized 5k. It was great, couldn't run the entire thing at the time, but great nonetheless. As I continued to improve, I started stretching my limits. Next was a 10k, then a half marathon. In just 2 years, I was running my first marathon. Yes, now I was officially hooked. I have since run another 4 marathons. Within the past year,
I have switched to mainly running trails. I enjoy the scenery much better as it is constantly changing. With the change to trails, my thirst for longer and harder runs has grown. I have since run a 50K, 50 mile and 100K. Current goal is to run the Pike's Peak marathon this year.
As for why you should pick me, I love a new challenge. I've seen this details on this marathon in running mags and on the Discovery Channel (I believe) and it has always intrigued me.
"Although I have no real experience racing in such extreme cold, I'm from Texas. If I can manage to train and race in the heat and humidity of Texas summer's, I know I can run at the North Pole." |
Offer some evidence that you can complete a marathon in harsh, sub-zero conditions at the North Pole:
Although I have no real experience racing in such extreme cold, I'm from Texas. If I can manage to train and race in the heat and humidity of Texas summer's, I know I can run at the North Pole. One extreme for another. Also, running in an ultra marathon, you have to learn to deal with variances, be it heat, cold, rain, snow. Just this past January 13th, I ran the Bandera 100k. Weather started out a very warm and muggy 70s. But conditions quickly changed midway to cold and wet. No worries, I was prepared.
Tell us about your cold-weather race experience:
Since I live in Texas and have only been running for 5 years, my cold-weather race experience is limited. I do spend many Christmas' back with relatives in Kansas. Winter's there can be very cold. I have done many training runs in the 10 degree mornings of Kansas. Also, last year, I finished second in the Freescale Austin Half-Marathon in the Clydesdale division. This was a day that started out with frozen roads and icy bridges. I feel I ran so well because of the cold. I just love running in cold weather.
Tell us about your marathon experience, including times, results, etc.:
I have run numerous shorter distance races, anywhere from 5k to 30k's. But for the longer distances, I have run 5 marathons (Austin 4:32:55, Dallas 4:08:54, San Francisco 3:59:22, New York 5:13:47, Chicago 4:08:21) as well as 4 ultra events (all trail): Rocky Raccoon 50k (Huntsville, TX) 5:19:45, Sunmart 50-miler (Huntsville, TX) 10:17:25, Warda Cardiac Run - marathon (Warda, Tx) 4:49:16, and Bandera 100K (Bandera, TX) 15:47:52. Currently scheduled to run the Austin marathon again in February as well as 2 other 50K's in March.
What do you expect your North Pole Marathon time to be?:
7-8 hours
Can you write well? Explain:
I thoroughly enjoy talking about my running experiences. It's even more enjoyable when talking to people who understand running. With the blog, I will give the gritty details of my training, runs, nutrition, outside pressures. It all is a part of the training regimen even if you don't want it. Here is a race report I submitted recently for the Bandera 100K trail Race which I ran on January 13th, 2007. http://www.hillcountrytrailrunners.com/docs_reports/bandera100k_michael_rpt_2007.html
Tell us about your media experience:
My media experience consists of shooting video of my 3-year old son. I have created a DVD of his early life for grandparents. I realize this isn't great media experience, but have you ever tried to shoot video of a 3-year old who can't sit still. It's not an easy task. But I've done it. I think that's qualification, don't you?
Websites:
www.hillcountrytrailrunners.com
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Richelle Lopez says:
When I met Mike, he was far from the athlete that he is today. I remember seeing him one day and having to do a double take b/c he looked so different. He had lost about 50bls and had taken up mountain biking and running. It wasn't long until he started asking me about my running. I've been running for what seems like forever (14 years) and I started telling Mike about my marathons and triathlons. It didn't take long for all that talk to rub off. Next thing I knew, Mike was signing up for marathons and he was making great progress. He has always called me crazy for doing the Ironman Triathlon, but as of the past year and a half when he started trying to talk me into the ultra-marathon distances,I started to think I was the sane one.
Mike has taken to running in less than perfect conditions. There are times when I won't go outside b/c it's too windy, too cold, or too wet. When I talk to Mike, sure enough, he run in whatever nasty conditions I didn't want to run in. I do know that he doesn't like to run in the heat, so this North Pole marathon seems to be a perfect fit for him. Mike always likes to do the off-the-wall races that involve some long distance, tough terrain, and whatever weather.
I think Mike should get to do this race b/c he's worked hard to get himself to the level of fitness that he is at. Once he gets his mind set on a goal, there's really no stopping him from attaining it. I can see it now, if he gets selected for this race, he'll be out there in all chilly temps and probably try to convince me to run with him. Knowing him, he'll even travel to place with cold temps just to get in good solid training in the frigid cold. Mike is an outdoor guy, loves to run, and probably has all the gear needed--if not, he'll have a blast buying all the cool gear he needs.
Mike is defintely a good pick for the race. I would love to see him complete this marathon.
Mark Raymond says:
I have trained with Mike for the last several months and even though, as Mike has admitted, has limited experience with cold weather running, he certainly has learned how to adapt to various challenges. Every week that we've trained together I've seen the transition from marathoner to ultra-runner unfolding before me. Being an experienced ultra-runner myself I understand that this is much more than a physical transition and requires one to "reset" their brain to believe in the possible rather than avoiding what's thought to be impossible. Also the ability to adapt to changing conditions (weather, physical and metal state, etc.) becomes necessary as the level of challenge increases. Mike has started this journey and has collected some valuable experience along the way. Also, knowing Mike for these last several months reveals to me an intelligent person who is willing to do the up-front research to understand what is required of himself to be successful in whatever undertaking he attempts. Given this I think Mike certainly deserves full consideration for this challenge.
Maria Hermon says:
I met Mike this last fall when we were both training for the fall trail running races. He loves the outdoor stuff and gear that goes with it. We've run on rocks, hills, mud, through creeks, at State Parks, in water, in cold weather, and hot weather. This guy just keeps going like the energizer bunny. Although he ran his last 100k just a few weeks ago, he did very well at the 1/2 Marathon this last weekend.
Please consider Mike for the North Pole Marathon so that he can come back home and share the adventure with his running buddies. I think he would love to wear a shirt with the North Pole Marathon Pixie Mate logo.
Kara Thompson says:
I met Mike this fall through a trail running training program. He really just can't get enough running - always looking for his next challenge. I think the North Pole marathon would be a great marathon for him - he'll tough it out no matter what the conditions or how he's feeling. He's not the type to give up! Mike would be an excellent choice for the North Pole Marathon!
Santhosh says:
I have known Mike for over many trail runs and training now. He is amazingly good in cold weather. During all these trail runs he has been a friend, guide and mentor. I believe he has the determination and persistence to take on a tough event as the North Pole Marathon.
While, many ppl with accomplished backgrounds keep getting a crack at challenges, its important that people like Mike with great potential not go unnoticed. Mike represents us all 'amateur' runners - he started of with a dream and has been pursuing it relentlessly. He has been an inspiration for all of us and has graduated amazingly fast in terms of distance and toughness in running.
I sincerely wish him good luck and hope to cheer him across the north pole!
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