Matt Goes Running

Matt - If I can do it, anyone can

As most people who know me, and those who have a little read of my blogs, I am and always will be a Star Wars fan.  After listening to few podcasts about films and geek news I thought I would search to see if there was anything in the Podcast library to quench my Star Wars passion but also make me laugh. Luckily there was, and I have become an avid listener.  "Star Wars In Character" is not just a podcast about the most obscure background characters you never wanted to know about, but the hosts Matt, Chris, Dave and Tim feel like friends on my car journeys to and from work.  I have a great laugh listening to them discuss the flaws and loves of the holy trilogy (and the not so holy prequel trilogy).



One of the Hosts, Matt, had started a separate podcast focusing on running/training and with the Goofy Challenge as his goal. I went back to the start of the program and listened to all the episodes the morning after my runs, giving me inspiration to get back out there.  Matt unfortunately had injury after injury but his motivation has pushed me to continue on towards my goal.



So as a Star Wars Fan and running fanatic, I had to send a few questions his way.  Here are Matt's responses....


1) Every story has a beginning, what first inspired you to start running?

After smoking for far too long, I was able to kick the habit once and for all. The trade off was, I gained a lot of weight quickly. I was looking for a form of exercise that would be easy to start, inexpensive (at first), and something I didn't have to commit long term to like a gym or recreational sports team. So I tried running. I got hooked immediately. It helped with the weight and was a lot of fun. I could set personal goals almost immediately and sort of gauge and track my "improvement" pretty easily. Soon after starting, I signed up for a mud run "Warrior Dash". After doing my first official "race", everything snowballed from there.

2) What do you find most rewarding about running, especially longer distances?

Completing the distance, first and foremost. Completing a new distance mark or a new benchmark on a training calendar is probably what I find most rewarding. Setting Personal Records at distance marks is rewarding and exciting as well, but I think for me having started running so late in my life just crossing that distance marker is always the most rewarding.

3) What tech/gear/apps do you use whilst running (if any)? Do you feel they have an impact on the way you train?

I have a Garmin 405 I use nearly every time I run outside. It's kept me on pace for sure. I don't always actively train for a PR for ever race I prepare for, but I do have a pace I like to try to maintain throughout training and that device has helped a lot. If for some reason I forget to charge it, I turn to RunKeeper on my smartphone.

4) What do you think about whilst you are out pounding the pavement (sidewalk)?

This is when I get the most time to myself to not think about work or home and organize my thoughts with all the things we have going on at NeoZAZ.com. It could be just about anything - planning out what to edit and post next, ideas for upcoming episodes, getting prepared for any of our off-line work with our charity projects, just about anything I have left open on the network will get it's plan of attack for completing on my long runs.

5) How do you balance family, work and training?  Are there times when every day life gives you little time for training?

After having gotten into a running routine over the past few years, I've mostly been able to have at least 2 running nights during the week and 1 day on the weekend as part of my weekly life. However, when one thing out of the ordinary day arises, it does get tough to fit everything in. Unfortunately many times, my runs are moved around or missed, and I do get a little disappointed with myself when that happens. Some times I do just have to stop everything for a moment and see if what I'm going instead running is more important than taking care of myself. Remembering that perspective helps get things in the proper order again.

6) What is your training regime? how many times a week do you train?

During running/training season 2 nights during the week - typically Tuesday and Thursday - I'll run 3 to 5 miles, then a progressively longer distance run 1 day each weekend leading up to the race. On the off season, it's usually 3 days over a week of 3 to 5 miles on a treadmill with some weight training to keep my interested n returning to the gym.

7) What is your fastest 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon?

I'm not trailer blazer, record setter, medal winner speed demon so these numbers won't be impressive - but the answer is: 5K 27min 40sec, 10k 66min 20sec, Half Marathon 2 Hours 25 minutes and Marathon just under 6 grueling hours.

8) You have taken part in many different races and events, which ones stand out above the rest and why?

My first Marathon in 2013 - mostly it was because it was my first, but beyond that it was also the 20th Anniversary of the Walt Disney World Marathon so it was a special and celebrated event to just make it stand out more.

My favorite race I participated in is also at Walt Disney World and it was called "The Expedition Everest Challenge". This is a 5k foot race followed buy a mile and half "scavenger hunt" puzzle you have to solve to complete the race. I have participated in this race for the past 5 years before they retired it this year, but the most memorable of them all was 2014 when my wife Khrysti participated with my as my teammate! We had a blast!

To round out that list, I have to mention "Tap n' Run". It was a 4k in downtown Orlando where you have to start by drinking a beer, stop for a beer at every kilometer, and end with a beer at the finish line. I don't think anyone broke any personal records that race.



9) Listening to the Matt Goes Running podcast, you were training for the Goofy Challenge but had a series of injuries (strained calf, knee injuries etc).  How do you deal with injury whilst training? 

I do have a hard time dealing with injury - I always startup again before my body is ready. I really tried to give myself the time I needed to heal when I got hurt training for Goofy. I did for the most part. Unfortunately, I suffered my worst injury 3 weeks before the race, a true "you need to get off your feet now" injury, and there wasn't enough time to properly heal or even heal just enough for me to run those races. It was incredibly frustrating but on the other hand having a doctor tell me "absolutely do not participate in this race" did force me to finally, for once, take the proper amount of time to rest and heal.

10) Where did you complete your first marathon? Do you remember how you felt when you crossed the finish line?

It was the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon. I remember being exhausted until I saw the finish line, and approaching and crossing I couldn't stop smiling. It was probably the most accomplished I've felt in any running event.

11) Have you ever ran in a different country or state? if so, do you feel the climate/atmosphere had an impact on your run?

I've run in California - I tend to clock better times in California. The temperature is a little milder than Florida and none of our ridiculously humidity there. 

I ran a 13k in Pennsylvania in October. That was a bit of shock to my system. The first deep breath of cold air felt like it set my lungs on fire.

12) If you could go out for a run with any Star Wars Character, who would you choose and why? (I know, a bit of a geeky question, but why not?!?)

I have 2 answers. 
First: Willrow Hood, because we've only ever seen him running in the movies.
Second: Darth Vader, when we're done there's a guarantee someone is breathing heavier than me.

Quick Fire Questions:

1) Listen to Music or alone with your thoughts? Music and Podcasts
2) Hills on purpose or stick to flats? Flats, but not by choice - there are no such thing as hills in Orlando.
3) If it is raining do you brave it or wait till it stops? I'll stay in the rain until the lightning comes. Most of where I run is open space and I'm the tallest thing around - no need to taunt Mother Nature. 
4) Energy Gel, Banana or other? Cliff Bloks. Got hand a pack of them in a middle of Half Marathon and been hooked ever since.
5) Fill in the blank, "Running is ________ " the one thing I do by myself for myself.

Finally, if you could pass a message onto every runner, what would it be?

With all the activity I didn't do before running, believe me when I say no matter what the distance - 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon - If I can do it, anyone can do it.

Thank you Matt for your time with this and please keep on producing awesome podcasts form Neozaz.  

More Neozaz Podcasts:
Star Wars In Character - The more obscure characters from Star Wars 
Matt Goes Running - Matt's running training, trials and tribulations
The Gr80's - The Great 80's movie debate
Indiana Jones In Character - Characters from Indiana Jones get discussed
Pass The Popcorn - Another movie review podcast, but this time with Chris and Tim

Good luck with all the upcoming races and I look forward to hearing about them in the upcoming shows.