Charlie Snyder

After working six Olympic Games, I've learned a thing or two about posing with a medal.

"Play the ball, don't let the ball play you"

City: Colorado Springs State: CO

Favorite Shoe: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 6 Size: 12

Age: 47.5 years old

Marital Status: Married

Family members:
Yes, I have family members. I've had them as long as I can remember. I'm living with some family members right now ... my lovely wife, Rose, and our three kids, Carli, Gina and Sam.

What I do for work:
I am the Director of Public Relations for the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center ... csfineartscenter.org

Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:
I've lived in Robbinsdale, Minn.; River Falls, Wis.; Ocracoke, N.C.; Gainesville, Fla.; and now Colorado Springs. I like living in the Springs because of the trails, especially Barr Trail, the mountains and Senor Manuels.

When I started running and what got me started:
I ran on my junior high cross country team, but then I let about 25 years lag before I picked it up again in 2002. I got started because I wanted to hike Pikes Peak and thought running would be one of the best ways to get in shape.

What does running mean to me:
Running means a lot to me. Lately it has given me a little self-esteem from setting up a goal, developing a training plan and following through. While I run I have time to think about a lot of different things, and not just about my shins hurting.

Running accomplishments:
> Hiked Pikes Peak in about five hours in July 2006.
> Broke my personal record to Barr Camp (1:55:25) in June 2006.
> Ran my first half marathon on Oct. 15, 2006, in Denver.

What I like about trail/mountain running:
I like the views, the smells, the heat coming up off the trail. I like the people on the trail. They are always so friendly. Usually, they have a big smile on their face when they run past me, making me wonder if I have some food caught in my teeth.

Favorite running trail and why:
If I'm just going to straight run, I'd want to be on Monument Valley Trail. If I want to add some hills, I go to the Santa Fe Trail near the Woodman trailhead. But my favorite is Barr Trail, even though I only run between the 7.8 and the camp.

Favorite trail/mountain race and why:
I haven't done one ... yet.

Best running experience:
Hands down it has to be the 2006 Denver Half Marathon. I spent six months getting ready for my first road race of any length. I stuck to my game plan and felt great throughout. It was a lot of fun. Very satisfying.

Worst running experience:
About six weeks out from the Denver Half Marathon, I upped my mileage too much and experienced some serious shin pain during my long Sunday run. Even though it sucked, I still found a way to work through it and completed 12 miles on that day.

Neatest thing found on a run:
My competitiveness.

Running related bathroom stop story:
I haven't been running long enough to have a good story. But two blocks into my 13-mile Denver race, I thought, "Oh no, I have to pee." I then told myself that we wouldn't be stopping to go pee during the race ... and I didn't.

Running pet peeves:
Dogs that run into you. People who don't acknowledge you. People who act like what they are doing is more important than what you are doing. Cell phones on the trail.

Something non running related that no one would guess about me:
I own over three dozen Prince CDs. I've met three U.S. Presidents. I once shot a man in Reno just to watch him die.

Other hobbies and interests:
I like reading and writing, playing video games, riding my bike, adding songs to my iPod, taking pictures, playing with my kids, visiting the COS Fine Arts Center and going on dates with my wife.

Other stuff:
> I want to buy a road bike and do a century bike ride.
> I want to hike Pikes Peak in under four hours.
> I want to run a marathon.

Favorite Book: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Favorite Movie: Rocky
Favorite Food: The Mondongo Combo at Senor Manuels
Favorite Beverage: The Midori Margarita at Senor Manuels
Favorite TV Show: The Daily Show

Page last modified: 4/4/2007