Mark Jakusovszky

Hiking the Chutes with Father and Daughter (and 2 dogs!)

"Be different! Everyone else is!"

City: Colorado Springs State: CO

Favorite Shoe: Whatever looks good! Size: 9 1/2

Age: 49.6 years old

Marital Status: Single (again)

Family members:
Ava & Alexa & Scout (the dog) and Zappa (the cat)

What I do for work:
I market high tech.

Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:
Northeast - Upstate NY - Childhood through College
Upstate New York - Manhattan is a BLAST
Southern California - Great place for a new college grad
Northern California - High Tech Heaven
Colorado Springs - God's Country (We're closer up here!)

When I started running and what got me started:
Three years ago, I took on the Ascent as a personal challenge. I've run it 3 years running ;-), but this year (2010) I decided that I'd take the year off. I will be handing Ascenters water at the incline overlook station and cheering you on! However, I'm much more avid a mountain biker than a runner. I prefer running and biking on dirt (especially given the drivers around here!).

What does running mean to me:
It's a great cross-training workout. I should probably do it more, but I prefer the longer distances you can cover on a bike.

Running accomplishments: View my Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon results
Just getting out and doing it on some days.....
Finished the Ascent 2 of 3 times attempted. I was turned around in 2008 due to 30 degree weather and 30 mph winds!

What I like about trail/mountain running:
The quiet..... No cars. Fresh air. Trail surface challenges. Views.

Favorite running trail and why:
Barr, Stratton, and Monument Valley

Favorite trail/mountain race and why:
PPA, it kicks yer butt!

Best running experience:
First Ascent completion. I cramped up early and fought it all the way to the top.

Worst running experience:
The 20-mile (10 miles to the A-Frame and back to Manitou) DNA I achieved in the 2008 PPA due to the absolute crap weather!

Neatest thing found on a run:
Serenity.

Other hobbies and interests:
Music (performing acoustic guitarist), martial arts, writing, making music CD mixes

Page last modified: 8/19/2010