Name: Sam Pugh

Message Board Handle: Pughster

Date of Birth: Feb 25

Place of Birth: Red Wing, MN – Go Wingers!

Short-term running goal: Keep running and keep up with the group!

Running achievement of which you are most proud: My first and only marathon

Running PR’s:

Marathon – 5:07.26

Half-Marathon – 2:04.08

10 Mile – 1:33.54

Other distances (triathlons) – I’ve done a couple shorter, sprint triathlons. I did the Chisago Lakes half-ironman triathlon this summer on a relay with two co-workers. I was a competitive swimmer for a good 13 years, so of course I was stuck with the 1.2-mile swim. It helped me create my goal of doing the half ironman as an individual next year..yikes!!! Advice? Help? Who has a bike they want to sell?

Most memorable marathon finish, and why:  Twin Cities Marathon in 2010. That was my big goal. Within the 6 months prior, I battled my IT band for 4 months…3 of which I completely stopped running. I went into the race planning to finish half (if I could even make it that far) and step off. My mom was even waiting for me at the half point. I kept running, struggled through a few miles. Something just ‘fell into place’ and I eventually finished my first marathon in 5 hours 7 mns. Running down that hill by the capitol is very surreal, not to mention the queasiness and pain. Something I will never forget. I hope to finish another in the next few years.

Typical training week, a month or two before a major race: I include cross-training – spin classes, weights, swimming. I need to change up the activity!

Injuries: I’ve fallen victim to IT Band issues for a long time – the pain at the knee, not the hip. It has been pretty discouraging over the last couple years, but at least now, I pay a ton of attention to injury prevention. I’m hoping to completely figure it out so I can improve and run more often and longer distances.

Favorite running shoes: My new Nikes. I finally went to see Wendy, who definitely lived up to her “shoe guru” reputation. I couldn’t have been in a more completely wrong shoe. The new shoes gave me a total motivation booster.

Favorite food/drink during a marathon: The all-time classic H2O. I’m still figuring out the food/drink for fuel part.

Favorite place to run:  The lakes of course – Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles, the quieter ones.

Running idol: “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice your gift.” – Steven Prefontaine. His quote works in all areas of life. His determination alone is inspiring.

Why did you join a running club (or MNRed)? My bestest buddy, Laura “Rahmbomb”, is a member of the group. Not only does she have the best stories from the group, but she has improved a ridiculous amount. So I HAD to check it out!

Why do you run?  I run because it’s a time for me that I don’t have to do anything else, be anywhere else, or think about anything else. It’s a time to slow me down.

Advice you would give to other marathoners: I still need advice!!

Anything interesting you might like to share about yourself? Aside from my full time grown up job, I work part time for the MN Vikings with their marketing team. I work week nights in bars and restaurants and on game days on the field giving away tickets and other fun prizes. And the answer to your question is ‘no’, I can’t even get tickets for myself (when not working). Sorry. But if you come to an event, you just might be the lucky winner!