RIF #186 Danny Staggs
This week’s Run It Fast – The Club profile is #186 Danny Staggs. Danny is another one of our newly minted ultra runners. He just completed his first ultra at the Black Diamond 40 Mile on Black Friday and came in 4th! What a great ultra debut!
Meet Danny:
INFO
Name: Danny Staggs
RIF #: 186
Facebook: Danny Staggs
STATS
Years Running: 12
Favorite Race Distance: Marathon
Favorite PR: Oct. 2009 Louisville Marathon 3:43:44
Favorite Race: Loonies Midnight Marathon. This was my hometown’s first marathon and I just happened to be co-race director. I also ran in it and had a blast.
Favorite Bling: Little Rock Marathon. The medal is huge with a spinner in the center. It was so heavy I didn’t leave it around my neck for very long.
Next Race: Rocket City Marathon Dec 8, 2012
What Makes You FEEL Fast?: When it’s warm enough I like to run without a shirt. I always feel faster even though I may not actually be faster.
FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS
Who inspires your running and why?
My wife and daughter are my greatest inspiration. They have always been very supportive of me even before they began running. Years ago they would call me crazy for training in nasty weather and such, but now they run and participate in races and understand why I was always out there pushing myself.
Which of your running routes makes you the happiest and why?
I love training on the Loonies Marathon Course. It brings back memories of the Marathon training runs we held leading up to the race. We would invite other runners to come and train on the course. It also brings back memories of the race itself which was so much fun.
What is the thing you splurge on after a race?
I always enjoy a big hamburger as a reward.
Why do you race?
The number one reason I race is for the sense of accomplishment I feel after I’ve pushed myself to my limits both physically and mentally.
Big races or small races? And why?
Small races without a doubt. The pre race logistics are much less stressful in smaller races.
What is the one piece of running gear you can’t leave the house without?
Since I’ve been running in them I would have to say my Hoka shoes.
What’s your pre-race routine?
Wake up two hours before the race, eat breakfast which usually consists of oatmeal, yogurt, banana with peanut butter and pop tarts. I then take a shower and relax as much as possible before the race. I always like to get to the race at least thirty minutes prior to start time.
What running moment are you most proud of?
Running with my wife and daughter in a 5K race this past spring and crossing the finish line together. Words can’t describe the feeling.
Finally, Danny had this to share with the RIF readers:
I started running in the spring of 2000 as a way to lose weight and better my overall health. When I first started running regularly I was 40 pounds heavier and felt sluggish most of the time. My first race was a 5K in the summer of 2000 and I was hooked. I completed my first Marathon in April, 2001. Since then I’ve completed 46 Marathons and one Ultra Marathon along with numerous shorter distances. Most of my Marathons have taken place in the last 3 years with 15 of them in 2012. My current goal is to complete 50 Marathons before I reach age 50. If my body holds up I should easily reach that goal soon.
If I could give any running advice I would say to just stick with it. It’s not always easy and setbacks such as injuries will occur. It’s easy to get frustrated when things are not going as planned and things may not always fall into place like we hoped they would but if you continue to set goals and keep reaching for them amazing things can happen in your life. The people I’ve met and the friends I’ve made through running are better than any award I will ever receive.
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Danny wasn’t kidding when he said his wife and daughter support his running. They crewed for him at the Black Diamond 40 Mile and they were a great help to all the runners. Danny must have really encouraged his daughter, Amanda, as well because she just became a member of Run It Fast – The Club (RIF #210) too! Welcome Amanda!
It’s kind of funny that I had planned to post Danny’s profile this week on RIF. Sometimes, we get a message from an unexpected source and the advice that Danny shared in his last paragraph was something I needed to hear this week. It’s a good reminder we can all use at times in our running careers. Things won’t always be perfect but I guess that’s what makes it so satisfying when we do reach our goals, whether it’s your 1st marathon or your 46th. Thank you Danny for sharing that and letting us interview you.
Good luck at Rocket City this weekend and on your quest to do 50 by 50. I have no doubt you will Run It Fast!
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[All photos submitted by Danny Staggs]
