Young gunner

Posted by YourRunning on 1/13/2007 on YourRunning's blog

Carlos Rivas, Jr

Houston, Texas
23

Running Experience:
Advanced

Why should we pick you to go to the North Pole?:
I'm young(23), I'm Nuts, I love running, I love the outdoors, and this is the only time in my life that I will ever even have the chance to see the north pole. Plus, how great of a story would that be to tell everyone back in Texas?

Offer some evidence that you can complete a marathon in harsh, sub-zero conditions at the North Pole:
Well, the best that I can do is tell you that I spent a few weeks in Wisconson during January. It was pretty cold - in the low teens and single ditgits.

"I'm young, I'm nuts, I love running, I love the outdoors, and this is the only time in my life that I will ever even have the chance to see the north pole."

Tell us about your cold-weather race experience:
My coldest race experence was the Austin Marathon Feb 2006. There was an ice storm during the eairly morning hours and during the race it never rose above freezing, there was ice on the roads, and ice in all of the cups at the aid stations. I survived wearing only a thin tech long sleeve shirt with my racing singlet over the top, racing shorts, one set of gloves and a running hat.

Tell us about your marathon experience, including times, results, etc.:
I have raced 2 marathons. One for fun in a 3:02 getting 1st place (my longest run at the time was 14miles) My second marathon was in Austin 2006 - dont remember the place, but I was on pace for a 2:40 marathon through mile 18 then changed my race plans and the last 4 miles I blew up - finished in 3:06 or 3:08

I stay consistant at around 60-75 miles a week in training. I have no races longer than a 10k (well, one half marathon, but that is for fun) but if picked, I will marathon train untill my plane leaves!

What do you expect your North Pole Marathon time to be?:
6:30

Can you write well? Explain:
Yes, I made 2 A's in my college level english comp classes, so I can write pretty darn decent....spelling is another thing...thank you for spell check!

Tell us about your media experience:
I am very comfortable in front of a large crowd or camera. I have done one news spot for the Houston Marathon back in 2005 for channel 11 news. Also I give group talks all of the time with running clubs.

Websites:
http://www.mizunousa.com - I did have my photo on there (I will e-maiil you that one) but my name is still on the list, 11th one down (Carlos E. Rivas, Jr.)

The YourRunning.com North Pole Marathon Entry Giveaway Contest is sponsored in part by:

Back to the list of applicants

email | report | digg this

Tags:

3 comments

Steve Shepard says:

You go Carlos! Carlos is a consistent and regular supporter of the Houston Running Community. He's always onsite supporting the Tour de Bayou cross country series, and was consistently onsite supporting the Power In Motion Adult Running Program. His group speaking skills are top notch. He is a superb runner, one of Houston's best, and a disciplined trainer, although soft spoken and humble in his approach.

by Steve Shepard (not verified) on Fri, 2007-01-19 18:54

Matt Baum says:

Carlos Rocks!!! This guy is a running maniac who would be a great asset to your adventure north. He is a great brand ambassador to Mizuno and I hope he is chosen.

by Matt Baum (not verified) on Thu, 2007-01-25 14:49

The Young Gunner says:

So, I’m not too sure how ethical it is to comment about one self on the last day of the competition but here it goes... After looking through some of the other possible runners for this competition, I have come to realize that yes I am the youngest. Not to say that I am the least experienced one out of the bunch, I have had a solid running career for the better of 11 years now. On racing and training I have been on all levels and I know how to hurt, handle racing, be smart about my training, and most importantly – I know my own body. I’m a strong runner, whose life goal is to never be out of shape. But that necessarily doesn’t mean that I have to be in “the” shape of my life at all times. What it does mean is to be in “A” shape. “A” shape is the shape to have any buddy of mine, what ever their fitness level, to call me and ask, “hey would you like to run an easy 20 with me?” of “hey I really need a pacer for this peak workout” and I will not hesitate to join in. That’s me. And I do believe that there is a major difference between being cocky and being confident in one self. I am extremely confident in my abilities as a runner.

Also, an important point to bring up is that I would become an outstanding spokes person for this race and running in general. I can and will attract a different crowd than the other runners in the field. I believe that it would be a monumental event with a “young gunner” out there.

So I may not have any “real” cold expeditions under my belt, or have any grand adventures peaking mountain tops. But that’s because my bank account would never allow that and I haven’t had the opportunity. So this would be my opportunity to experience life and running at its most extreme, and possibility it’s greatest.

Carlos “The Young Gunner”

by The Young Gunner (not verified) on Fri, 2007-02-02 01:18