Dan Cockrell

First day of the 2009/2010 Season

“Run to Eat!!”

City: Colorado Springs State: CO

Favorite Shoe: Asics & Brooks Size: 9

Age: 36.4 years old

Marital Status: Married

Family members:
Wonderful Wife - Lyn
Crazy but Great Son - Trevor

What I do for work:
Lab/Radiology Supervisor

Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:
Southern and Northern California, Northern Texas and Colorado Springs. Love the Springs for the weather, views, clean air and ability to escape the city quickly.

When I started running and what got me started:
Started when I was 8 because my dad quit smoking. Ended up doing X-country/Track and Triathlons until about 19 and got sidetracked. On and off running until 2009 when I got the bug again and remembered how fun it really is to run.

What does running mean to me:
It is my daily Mental Health counseling session.

Running accomplishments: View my Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon results
I actually ran the Pikes Peak Ascent! A dream I had since I was in High School and ran the "Run to the Top of Mt. Baldy" Finally ran another road Marathon after 15+ years in 2009. Ran USAF Marathon 3:29:07. Not bad on 7 months of running. Ran my first real Half-Marthon (Denver 2009) 1:34:19. Finished 2010 Pikes Peak Marathon-Barely. Will have to re-attack in 2011 if the AF lets me stay another Year.

What I like about trail/mountain running:
Every run is like a mini vacation. The smells, sounds and feel of the trail are relaxing to me.

Favorite running trail and why:
Barr Trail. If you have run up it, you know why, if you haven't, go do it!

Favorite trail/mountain race and why:
Barr Trail Mountain Race. Organization, cause, local support and it feels a lot like your friends are just getting together to hang out. Oh and run until you almost puke!

Best running experience:
Standing on top of Longs Ranch Road in 18 inches of snow, all alone and suddenly realizing that I get to go down hill now!

Worst running experience:
2010 Pikes Peak Marathon! Wanted 5:30, got 7:10!!! Crap. Felt like the whole season was wasted, but at least I finished. I knew I was in for it when I started cramping at Barr Camp and stopped sweating at the Bottomless Pit sign. Got the medal and shirt though and didn't fall (wasn't going fast enough for that), so I guess it wasn't all that bad.

Neatest thing found on a run:
Tarantulas and a Bob-cat on the trails of Southern California.

Running related bathroom stop story:
Doing a 30 min tempo up Barr Trail and stopping for an emergency 3 min rest period while trying to hide from fellow IC'ers running by.

Running pet peeves:
Dog Crap! Really people? At least kick it off the trail if your too lazy to pick it up!

Something non running related that no one would guess about me:
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Other hobbies and interests:
Halloween!!!!! I love to set up my annual Halloween Party/Haunted House. I go a little nuts on the decorations.

Other stuff:
Never give up. Even if it takes all day, just finish the damn race/run.

Page last modified: 8/26/2010