Karl Schab

First Race--London Marathon 2001

“There's a time and a place for everything.”

City: Imperial Beach State: CA

Favorite Shoe: Asics Gel-Nimbus Size: 11

Age: 63 years old

Marital Status: Married

Family members:
Two children.

What I do for work:
Rocket scientist. (honest)

Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:
I've lived everywhere: both coasts, Texas, Hawaii, England, Russia. California is home.

When I started running and what got me started:
Relatively new to the sport--was a confirmed couch potato most of my life. Been running since age 42 while living in England. Needed to run that marathon before I died, got into the London Marathon for a charity, and what do you know? I enjoyed training so much that I've been running ever since.

What does running mean to me:
It keeps me healthy and gives me something productive to do. Also, I can tolerate a little indiscretion in eating without worrying about weight gain.

Running accomplishments:
London Marathon 2001 and 2002, Moscow (Russia) International Peace Marathon 2002, Garden of the Gods 10 mile 2003. NYC Marathon 2003. PPM 2005. LA Marathon 2006. Rock & Roll San Diego 2009

Favorite running trail and why:
Arkansas Riverwalk, Canon City. Quiet, cool, delightful running.

Best running experience:
First London Marathon, 2001. 26 mile street party, many people run in costume. A little demoralizing to get passed by a guy raising money for the WWF in a 35 lb rhino costume.

Worst running experience:
Moscow International Peace Marathon 2002. Great idea, but no support on the race, no spectators, and unseasonably hot. Sports drink on the route: hot sweet tea. The bread and salt was nice, though, and running with Russians was awesome, lots of friendship and camaraderie.

Neatest thing found on a run:
The courage to continue...

Running related bathroom stop story:
Everyone (men and women) goes in public on the London Marathon route. I held out until mile 6 my first time, but finally "went with the flow". Pulled off the course onto a side street up to a brick wall another racer had just watered down. The street sign was in the brick wall where I was standing. The name of the street? "Gallon Close".

Running pet peeves:
People who cut in at water stops. Get over early if you plan to stop...

Something non running related that no one would guess about me:
Been on three television game shows.

Other hobbies and interests:
Space, hiking, boating, Navy reserve.

Other stuff:
Hope to run at least one marathon a year for the rest of my life.

Page last modified: 6/16/2010