Jim Parry

“run jim run”

City: Stewartville State: MN

Favorite Shoe: Nike Explosion Rd. or Tr. Size: 13

Age: 39.8 years old

Marital Status: married

Family members:
I am married to Melanie, who is NOT a runner, but puts up with it. I have 2 boys - ages 5 and 4, and a little girl - 3 years old. They are all into running, with the 5 year old completing his first 5K last summer in 36 minutes. He was beat out for an award by two 10 year olds, and is training hard to win the age-group this summer.

What I do for work:
I am an Elementary School Teacher. I also work with a MS/HS age program during the summers.

Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:
Stewartville, MN is my home - 12 miles south of Rochester - home of the Mayo Clinic.

When I started running and what got me started:
Started at age 15 - 22 years ago, and fell in love with it right away. Had been interested in running since elementary school because I could see that it was a sport that depended solely on the effort and desire you put into it.

What does running mean to me:
I run because it allows me to test my mental and physical limits. I run because it allows me to do something that many think is impossible. Running allows me to relax and collect my thoughts, while keeping me healthy. I need to run.

Running accomplishments: View my Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon results
I have run 41 marathons, including 4 50Ks and the Pikes Peak Marathon 3 times. Fastest flatland marathon is 2:42 - best PPM is 6:39. Running again in 2008 to try to better that.

What I like about trail/mountain running:
I ran in the Sky Marathon in Aspen 12 or 13 years ago - my 1st trail run and was hooked. I was amazed seeing Matt flying down the course while I was on my way up. I have always done some running on area trails.

Favorite running trail and why:
Barr Trail - wish I could get to it more often.

Favorite trail/mountain race and why:
PPM. Sorry, can't come up with the words for why. If you don't already know, you haven't run it yourself.

Best running experience:
PPM 2007

Worst running experience:
PPM 2000

Something non running related that no one would guess about me:
I like to combine running with Geocaching sometimes when I can. Geocaching is like treasure hunting - you use a GPS and the coordinates from geocaching.com to go out looking for containers hidden by others.

Other hobbies and interests:
Geocaching. Playing with my children.

Other stuff:
I firmly believe that you shouldn't let anyone or anything - including yourself and your fears - keep you from trying to accomplish your goals. Running lets me do this.

Page last modified: 3/31/2008