Justin Walker

City: Colorado Springs State: CO

Favorite Shoe: Asics Kayano Size: 9.5

Age: 29.6 years old

Marital Status: Married - Sarah 6/26/04

Family members:
Sarah - 1/1/81
Taelyn - 2/15/09

What I do for work:
School Psychologist

Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:
I have lived in Michigan, Gainesville, FL, Greeley, CO, and China. None of them are as beautiful as the Springs and I love the trails. I look at the mountains everyday off my deck and I dont want to wake up any other way.

When I started running and what got me started:
Middle School. But I wanted to play football until I broke my arm. It worked out for the better.

What does running mean to me:
Running and planning for running is the ultimate life skill. Every aspect of running - from nutrition, goal-setting, discipline, recovery, and sportsmanship - is applicable to work, school, and life. These attributes are essential to be successful in the world and go far beyond the time on the trail.

Running accomplishments:
Winner of Great Wall Marathon, Wyoming Marathon.
Ironman Finisher.
Leadville 100 Finisher.

What I like about trail/mountain running:
I like being able to train longer but not harder and spend more time in nature than on streets. Trails give me an opportunity to pace well and break up the run.

Favorite running trail and why:
There are numerous trails near here that are awesome. My favorite is the one I am on the days I am feeling good.

Favorite trail/mountain race and why:
Leadville 100 is a great event. After listening to the opening speech by Ken, if you dont want to run, something is wrong with you. It is a great course with numerous challenges but tons of support and feels like the Boston of Ultras.

Best running experience:
Probably the best running experience I have had was catching up to Dean Karnazes during the Leadville 100. We chatted for a while and it really gave me a boost. We battled throughout the next 17 hours or so, and Dean ultimately beat me, but it helped me learn about keeping going and not stopping.

Worst running experience:
My worst day was the last half of the Mohican 50 miler. I was winning at 25 miles, and pushed the next 5 for some stupid reason. Soon I was dehydrated and spent. The last 10 miles I crumbled, muscles locked up, and I staggered around in the heat. I was passed by two people in the final 2 miles and took 3rd. First and Second had their trips to California for Nationals paid for. Whoops. I threw up for hours at the finish line before going to the hospital for renal failure. Bad day.

Neatest thing found on a run:
I once saw a dead body on a run in China. She had been on a bike and hit by a car. I wouldn't call it "neat" but I will say that it was unique.

Running related bathroom stop story:
I am relatively lucky when it comes to this issue but my wife has been arrested for going on a run....arrested for burglary!! Great story if you want to hear it.

Running pet peeves:
Bells on shoes, going out too hard, and Ipods during races.

Something non running related that no one would guess about me:
I would rather stay at home with my kid than work but I dont have the patience.

Other hobbies and interests:
Ice Hockey

Other stuff:
I almost always take a day off per week. I dont do really high mileage because I like to do other stuff (bike, lift, play hockey) and prefer to run fresh than injured. I like the first half of Bart Yasso's book, Dean Karnazes' first book, and anything about Steve Prefontaine.

Page last modified: 9/6/2009