Scott Struck Story

Just Another Runner’s Story                                                                                                                  2015                                                                                                                                                          Written By Gale Fischer

 

Miles of Stories

"In this time of ‘information overload’, people do not need more information. They want a story they can relate to."                                                                                                                                               — Maarten Schäfer

What each of us appreciates most about running can vary from individual to individual.  As we pass through different seasons of our lives our perception about what aspects of running are most important to us may change.  Like anything in life, we are not necessarily locked into one particular line of thought.  During any given race or run we may come to appreciate many of the nuances that come with our sport.  Typically we come to appreciate one aspect of running over others for a given period of time.  The thrill of competition, the endorphin rush, the stress relief, and the sense of belonging to a community that can raise each of us to new heights are all common themes that center around what we like most about our sport.  Just as in other facets of our lives stories are created that will be talked about for years to come with smiles, laughter, and tears.  This month's featured runner, Scott Struck enjoys this aspect of running more than any other at this juncture in his running journey.  Moments shared and experiences had during training runs and races with his running partners are common topics of conversation during future partner and group runs.  These experiences may be isolated events but the lasting memories that each creates are etched in stone and re-created during conversations for miles to come.

Scott began running in college but slipped out of it for an extended period of time as fatherhood took over.  " I started running in college but then took a break for many years when I went to grad school and eventually started a family.  I ran off and on during that time but wasn’t very consistent.  I have always enjoyed the challenge of running but wasn’t really able to regularly afford the time until our kids were older.  I have been running and racing now pretty consistently for about the last eleven years and have participated in about 110 timed, competitive events."

Scott's idea of what makes running special swung in different directions throughout the years.  He has embraced different aspects of our sport during different periods of time.  "What I like most about running has changed from when I first began as a college student.  It has varied greatly over the years.  Initially, my drive was simply to complete a few miles, but eventually, that grew and I progressed to doing longer and longer races.  Now that I have been at it a while, the accomplishment of achieving a great finishing time isn’t nearly as important as having a fun story to tell about the social aspects of the particular event…such as: “…remember the time we got lost at the Huff and ended up 5 miles off course?” Or how about: “…remember the time we paced the Winterblast and ran with that gal in the down trench coat?  The stories are way more fun than the fleeting memory of PR!  Whoop do doo, so you ran a 1:xx half, but did you have FUN and enjoy a little mayhem along the way?"

With that being said one would find it difficult to believe that there are those traits of running that Scott does not embrace.  When posed the question, "What do you like least about running Scott's response was as follows. " Having to buy new shoes all the time when you are racking up lots of training miles for a big race.  Oh yeah, and I don’t like having to pick off burrs stuck all over you if you are running trails and wipe out into a bush or run through some gnarly part of the trail."

Scott considers Anton Krupicka to be his running mentor.  “I really don’t have a mentor per se, but I really like Anton Krupicka’s gate and overall attitude.  I want to run half as smoothly as he does!"  Trail running legend Scot Jurek is his running inspiration. " Scott Jurek sounds like an interesting guy.  I’d like to meet him someday and try to keep up for a few miles.  I’m sure I could learn tons from just a short run with him!"

Scott's advice for fellow runners involves reflection and evaluation.  " Figure out what your “Why?” is for running and then go after it!  For me, it's more and more about the social aspects of running and having fun.  Make friends with as many runners as you can.  Runners are great people!  Oh, and one more tidbit of advice, if you get a pebble in your shoe, stop right away and get it out!"

Scott has made many friendships through the sport of running outside of his immediate family but his wife and kids play an important role in his active lifestyle.  " I bike with my wife Anita, run with my daughter Sam, and ski/snowboard with my son Chris." In fact, Scott's most memorable moment as a runner comes from an experience that he had with his daughter.  " I had the wonderful opportunity to run and hike on the Tahoe Rim Trail, and part of the Western States course at Squaw Valley, with my daughter Sam.  We have some amazing and unforgettable memories from that trip!"   I would imagine that there are some stories Scott could tell from the time he and Sam spent out west running.

Scott has many goals for his short-term and long-term future as a runner. " Teresa Fulcomer and I hope to pace the Winterblast Half Marathon again this coming winter.  Next year, maybe I’ll try the 100k at Woodstock (I ran the fifty miler this year and loved it).  My long-term dream goal would be to run rim to Rim to Rim at the Grand Canyon (but not all in 24 hours), or perhaps the Lake Tahoe Midnight Express Ultra seventy-two mile race." 

When it comes to race distance preferences Scott is a long-distance guru. " Generally I like races in the half marathon to 50k range.  I really prefer trails, but road races are great too.  I like unusual races that have a unique theme or really good swag.  If you promise me some cool jacket, a hat, a pint glass, or some sort of other weird trinket, I’ll probably run your race!"                                                                                                                            By race performance standards success in running comes with a price.  Miles must be run and hours spent in preparation.  Although race goals may not equate to speed, running distances of 13 to 100 miles requires commitment in terms of time and work.  The endless miles spent training for Scott are indeed a labor of love.  Age group awards and PRs are not what drives Scott to keep in shape.  For Scott, the payday involves the stories that are created during each and every run.  Keep running Scott.  The stories will follow.

Everyone has a story.  Stay tuned next month for another runner’s story.