Karl Schab

First Race--London Marathon 2001

“There's a time and a place for everything.”

City: Canoga Park State: CA

Favorite Shoe: Asics Gel-Nimbus Size: 11

Age: 52.4 years old

Marital Status: Married

Family members:
Two children.

What I do for work:
Rocket scientist. (honest)

Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:
I've lived everywhere: both coasts, Texas, Hawaii, England, Russia. California is home.

When I started running and what got me started:
Relatively new to the sport--was a confirmed couch potato most of my life. Been running since age 42 while living in England. Needed to run that marathon before I died, got into the London Marathon for a charity, and what do you know? I enjoyed training so much that I've been running ever since.

What does running mean to me:
It keeps me healthy and gives me something productive to do. Also, I can tolerate a little indiscretion in eating without worrying about weight gain.

Running accomplishments:
London Marathon 2001 and 2002, Moscow (Russia) International Peace Marathon 2002, Garden of the Gods 10 mile 2003. NYC Marathon 2003. PPM 2005. LA Marathon 2006.

Favorite running trail and why:
Arkansas Riverwalk, Canon City. Quiet, cool, delightful running.

Best running experience:
First London Marathon, 2001. 26 mile street party, many people run in costume. A little demoralizing to get passed by a guy raising money for the WWF in a 35 lb rhino costume.

Worst running experience:
Moscow International Peace Marathon 2002. Great idea, but no support on the race, no spectators, and unseasonably hot. Sports drink on the route: hot sweet tea. The bread and salt was nice, though, and running with Russians was awesome, lots of friendship and camaraderie.

Neatest thing found on a run:
The courage to continue...

Running related bathroom stop story:
Everyone (men and women) goes in public on the London Marathon route. I held out until mile 6 my first time, but finally "went with the flow". Pulled off the course onto a side street up to a brick wall another racer had just watered down. The street sign was in the brick wall where I was standing. The name of the street? "Gallon Close".

Running pet peeves:
People who cut in at water stops. Get over early if you plan to stop...

Something non running related that no one would guess about me:
Been on three television game shows.

Other hobbies and interests:
Space, hiking, boating, Navy reserve.

Other stuff:
Hope to run at least one marathon a year for the rest of my life.

Page last modified: 5/14/2007