Gary Smedley

I really need to update this photo!!

“Oxygen is NOT overrated!!”

City: Colorado Springs State: CO

Favorite Shoe: Asics Size: 10

Age: 81.5 years old

Marital Status: Married

Family members:
Wife Judy, she hikes the mountain trails.
4 adult kids, 2 daughters run (one does the Ascent), son who Mt. bikes, one daughter stays prego!

What I do for work:
Retired oil geologist from Chevron

Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:
NE, KS, UT, TX, LA, CA, W. Australia, and CO. Co. Springs is the best--home of the Incline Club!

When I started running and what got me started:
Started running in July 1985. My son was doing XC track and talked me into putting on some running shoes. Which meant I had to stop smoking and lose 30 pounds!

What does running mean to me:
Relieving stress, staying in shape, making new friends, always challenges, and able to compete.

Running accomplishments: View my Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon results
About 25 marathons. Qualified and ran Boston in 2000. Third in my age group in Pikes Peak Marathon 2005.

What I like about trail/mountain running:
Challenging, softer than the streets, both up and down (but seems like mostly up), just being out there in the trees and having spectacular views.

Favorite running trail and why:
Hard to say. I like them all. All different-all have good aspects. But, I especially like running the trails in the Black Hills of SD. Running Harney Peak is great!

Favorite trail/mountain race and why:
Especilly enjoy the Barr Trail Mt. Race!

Best running experience:
Anytime I'm out there and feeling good! Never had a bad run!!

Worst running experience:
Running the CA International Marathon (Sacramento) in the cold driving rain! And, there was the time when I got lost on the Lake Isabella CA 50K Trail Relay Race! Guess what my team mates had to say?

Neatest thing found on a run:
Never found anything--vision impaired by lack of sufficient oxygen!

Running related bathroom stop story:
I've had some true emergencies, but they are not G rated! Well, there was the time when my buddies and I were heading to the Bolder Boulder and got delayed by major traffic north of Denver. I was so hydrated I had to use a coffee cup in the back of the car. Oh well!

Running pet peeves:
I just hate being passed by runners that are obviously better trained and have more natural ability!

Something non running related that no one would guess about me:
I shoot pool. And I do like my Guinness, and wine, and an occasional Jack Daniels! I guess I should be more serious about my running. I say--stay diversified!!

Other hobbies and interests:
Family, travel, pool, grand kids and country music.

Other stuff:
To stay fit I Mountain Bike and Hike!

Page last modified: 11/17/2008