Craig Hafer

Seafair Marathon, July 10, 2005 - Bellevue, WA

“RUN!”

City: Colorado Springs State: CO

Favorite Shoe: Brooks Adrenaline Size: 11

Age: 56.6 years old

Marital Status: Happily

Family members:
Ryan, Brianna, Kayla

What I do for work:
I am a radiation effects engineer. I study the effects of space radiation on integrated circuits.

Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:
I grew up in Billings, MT. I've lived in Colorado Springs since 1986. My kids are all Colorado Springs natives. I enjoy my work, the beautiful mountains, the great places to run and ride, my friends, and a stable environment allowing our family to be in the same house since 1987.

When I started running and what got me started:
I started running in 1986 with a group of friends at lunchtime during the weekdays to stay in shape and relieve some of the workday stresses. I was a casual noon time runner until 2003.

In 2003 I met a running buddy who talked me into running a marathon (ADT, 2003). It was only when I decided to train for this first marathon that I trained for running. This meant a training schedule complete with endurance runs, speed workouts, hills and a build up to race distance mileage. The real revelation was learning that it is ok to drive to run. Wow - there are a lot of really great trails to run on around Colorado Springs. I've lived and run in the area since 1986 and am just now "discovering" some of these trails. For example, during my first run with the Incline Club (Dec. 24, 2005) I discovered Ute Pass Trail, Waldo Canyon Trail, and Williams Canyon Trail - all in one day!

What does running mean to me:
Running creates a sense of release for me. I can be wound up with issues at work, run at lunchtime, come back in to work without any worries, even though the issues remain. Running helps keeps things in perspective.

I can finish a long hard race and be so wrapped up in the present (past and future thoughts no longer exist) that I have to think for a moment to even remember my name or where I am.

Running accomplishments: View my Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon results
Qualifying for the Boston Marathon in 2006 (Seafair Marathon, Bellevue, 3:29, WA - July 2005) and 2007 (Tucson Marathon, 3:16, Dec. 2005).

Running a 1:35 1/2 marathon (Boulder Backroads, Sept. 2005) and feeling great at the end of the run.

Learning how to finish a race strong (train hard and don't go out too fast??).

What I like about trail/mountain running:
I enjoy the mountains, trails, scenery and the soft running surface. I enjoy running new and different trails. The runs seem more interesting and fun when I'm on a new trail and don't know what's around the next corner.

Favorite running trail and why:
I enjoy the trails in the Garden of the Gods. I run them most often because of their close proximity to work and home.

I have also enjoyed long runs on the Santa Fe Trail, particularly the sections north of Woodmen and south of Palmer Lake.

Favorite trail/mountain race and why:
My favorite race (near the mountains) is the 10m GOG which I have run 13 times as of 2005. The race starts a block from my house and is just too convenient not to run.

Best running experience:
Finishing the Seafair Marathon at 3:29 with a qualifying time for Boston. I felt great at the end of the race and so pleased to see the time on the clock at under 3:30.

Worst running experience:
Injuring my IT band on a long run after a too high mileage week just before my taper for the 2004 Pikes Peak Marathon.

Neatest thing found on a run:
January 2005, I felt a forgotten sense of joy and freedom I hadn't felt for so long when returning to running after a 5.5 month IT band injury.

Running related bathroom stop story:
Garden of the Gods 10 mile run 1988. I started out strong at under 7 minutes per mile. After two miles I hit the wall, really hard. What a painful 88 minute finish. Unfortunately my running didn't stop at the end of the race. I had the runs the rest of the day. Morale of story: Train properly and don't eat Flying W Ranch roast beef and beans the night before your race.

Running pet peeves:
Irresponsible pet owners.

Cheap, crappy white cotton race t-shirts.

Something non running related that no one would guess about me:
I lost 17 pounds in two years. Ask me how.

Other hobbies and interests:
Biking, skiing, traveling, reading, woodworking, home improvement projects, and being involved with my family.

Other stuff:
I would like to do the double in 2006 and eventually do a 100 miler.

Page last modified: 1/1/2006