Andy Kovats

Grrr! I usually appear to be having more fun than this!

City: Manitou Springs State: CO

Favorite Shoe: Nike Air Size: 9

Age: 56 years old

Marital Status: married

Family members:
wife Robin, son Julius, daughter Katherine

What I do for work:
Engineering Manager at a semiconductor company

Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:
After being born in Wyoming and partially raised in Colorado and the Black Hills of South Dakota, my family moved to Oklahoma. Now that I live in this wonderful place, I plan to never take the mountains for granted again!

When I started running and what got me started:
In grade school I wanted to participate in sports but never got past bench-warmer in ball playing. In track and cross country, I was marginally better. Fundamentally I am just a glutton for punishment!

What does running mean to me:
I achieve a higher state of consciousness and... naa, scratch that. It's fun!

Running accomplishments: View my Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon results
I used to be able to run under 2:50 for the Ascent back in the '80's or early '90's. But I now consider my greatest accomplishment is coming back from a knee injury and just being able to run again.

What I like about trail/mountain running:
I like that it takes more skill and concentration than running on the roads, the scenery is great, and no cars to dodge.

Favorite running trail and why:
On Longs Ranch road, right when you turn and see Papa Bear hill. It's just so ridiculously steep and hard I just have to laugh!

Favorite trail/mountain race and why:
Barr Trail Mtn Race of course!

Best running experience:
A couple years ago when I was having a pretty good season, the Barr Trail race was about the peak for me and the energy and camaraderie associated with that race stick out in my mind.

Worst running experience:
Years ago I was in a trail race near Estes Park. Coming down a slippery muddy gully I severely twisted an ankle. Then I realized I was at 12,000 feet elevation, could barely move and was getting hypothermic and there was no reasonable evacuation means. I finally started hobbling, got warm and eventually crossed the finish line.

Neatest thing found on a run:
Other than self-actualization I suppose it would have to be some of the lost people I've helped rescue on occasion coming down Barr.

Running related bathroom stop story:
Once just before the start of a 1/2 marathon I was running late and was still sitting in the porta-pot when the gun went off...

Running pet peeves:
Impolite people who hog the width of the trail. Once I was coming down Barr and a guy was riding his mtn bike WITH a dog on a short leash. I tried to skirt around him on the steep uphill side of trail, slipped and tweaked my shoulder.

Something non running related that no one would guess about me:
I'm allergic to chicken.

Other hobbies and interests:
Nordic skiing, rock climbing, fly fishing, mountain biking, but also spending time with my family.

Other stuff:
Some advice: don't try to fill out this account questionnaire with a squirming infant on your lap, it takes forever and it makes your spelling even worse

Page last modified: 8/2/2005