Phil Goulding

My first winter incline run

“If I'm not having fun, I'm doing something wrong.”

City: Colorado Springs State: CO

Favorite Shoe: New Balance 904 Size: 12.5

Age: 59.4 years old

Marital Status: Married

Family members:
My wife Ellen and my two daughters Brooke and Lauren. My granddogs Huck and Keeva (we lost Finn to cancer), two cats and about 18 koi in my 3600 gallon pond.

What I do for work:
Teacher-Librarian at Palmer High School

Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:
Colorado Springs for 30+ years. The MOUNTAIN, trails, people, and fishing.

When I started running and what got me started:
I always ran. I ran to school, ran to friends, and finally ran track and cross country in high school. Started again in 2005 because I wanted to get back those endorphins I was missing.

What does running mean to me:
Seeing the world one step at a time is the simple answer and simply needing the exercise.

Running accomplishments: View my Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon results
Finishing the 2008 Ascent starting from the second wave. Three marathons, three half-marathons, many shorter races and one age-group record.

What I like about trail/mountain running:
No matter how far up you go, you get to come down. Burn of the quads aside, up is better. I've decided I'm like the energizer bunny. I just keep going. I'm not always fast but I make what I set out to do.

Favorite running trail and why:
Garden of the Gods has to be the best because of the scenery but any trail with a view is good. I'm getting to think Barr trail to the camp is a close second. Other favorites include Cheyenne Mountain State Park.

Favorite trail/mountain race and why:
So far the Barr Trail Mountain Race. What more could you ask for? My first Ascent in 2008, though miserable, was a good experience. One of the few second-wavers to finish and it taught me a lot about being prepared--I wasn't.

Best running experience:
Running to Barr Camp on Super Bowl Sunday in 2009. I couldn't run with the club that morning because of a conference but I got home in time to leave the trailhead at 4:30. I ran up to the camp, only to find the door locked. Theresa came out, invited me in, and we had a visit while I got some food and water in me. They were alone with no one staying there that night. I had the trail to myself until about a mile from the bottom when I ran into a hiker who had injured himself and could barely walk. He had no flashlight and was hobbling down the trail so I helped him to the bottom. I had a great run with no others but the hiker on Barr trail, and started a tradition I plan to continue. If the weather is good, I plan on running to Barr Camp every SuperBowl Sunday because to sit on the couch and be a spectator is not nearly as much fun as being a participant in running. Care to join me?

Worst running experience:
Pulling a muscle on a long run and having to run home because to walk in 15 degree weather meant freezing. It was a slow, painful, and ultimately season ending injury requiring physical therapy.

Neatest thing found on a run:
Running a marathon with my 19 year old daughter. 26.2 miles side-by-side encouraging each other along. The smile on her face when we finished covered from horizon to horizon. I always knew she was strong-willed mentally and I found out she was equally strong-minded physically.

Running pet peeves:
Runners not greeting each other or hikers when going up and down the trails.

Something non running related that no one would guess about me:
I have a koi pond in my basement.

Other hobbies and interests:
I love to climb 14ers, hunt, fish, and generally be outside as much as possible.

Other stuff:
If you are over 20, you ought to read "Younger Next Year" by Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge, M.D. If you are over 40, you should read it; and if you are over 50, you must read it.

Page last modified: 4/18/2010