| I recently interviewed a great runner and coach from the area in Dan Mix. Dan is a true supporter of the sport of running and defiancecountyrunner.com is very glad to have someone like him in the area supporting running. |
How long have you been running?
I have been running all year round for 24 years.
What are your personal best times?
All my personal best times came from 1991, the last year I really trained hard.
Marathon: 2:31.10
1/2 Marathon: 1:10.49
10km 31:50
5 miles 24:57
5km 15:03
What is your favorite type of run?
I really enjoy long hilly trail runs.
What is your favorite race that you have run?
My favorite race has to be the Mt. Washington race in New Hampshire. There
was only one hill – 7.6 miles up!!!! I also really enjoyed the Pike Peaks Marathon.
What are some of your achievements you are proud of?
Continual running year round for more than 24 years is an achievement that I
am proud of. When I was younger, it was difficult to train everyday, now it’s part
of my everyday life.
What is your favorite type of training run?
I really enjoy mile repeats. When I am in good shape, I look forward to doing
them.
What are your plans for the future?
I have so many plans. I would like to do a marathon in every state and several
countries. I would like to do an ultra-marathon. I am also looking forward to the
day that I have time to bike the Pacific Coast from Washington State to San
Diego.
Who has been your biggest influence in your running career?
The great Australian coach Arthur Lydiard has been a man of great influence to
me. I’ve studied his training philosophies and systems and continue to follow
his principles.
When and where did you coach?
I’ve coach several places for a few seasons, including Fairview, Defiance,
Tinora, and Ayersville. I had to leave coaching 11 years ago because of family
obligations.
What are your favorite coaching moments?
My favorite coaching moments was taking three struggling young runners and
developing them into state champions, all within 18 months of training. Lynn
Bauer from Fairview, Dave Lehman, and Jim Jurcevich from Ayersville who
went on to finishing 6th place at the 2000 USA Olympic 10,000 meter trials.
What is the best thing about running?
My favorite thing about running is being in top shape. When I know that I’m in
good shape physically, I can run fast and make personal records and that’s the
best feeling. When I can run a marathon at sub 6 minute mile pace and then
push the last 3-4 miles, it an incredible euphoria.
What is the best thing about coaching?
Of all the success I had in coaching, the best thing is that 10 to 15 years later I
see the athletes that I once coached and see them succeed in life and having
families. It is very fulfilling. Knowing that I have had some positive impact in
their life is very rewarding.
What advice would you give a starting runner?
You need to realize that if one can stick to the training throughout the many long
years then will power in no longer a problem. It doesn’t matter if it’s cold, dark,
hot, or raining. That’s beside the point. It’s simply that you just have to run. Also,
you must realize this one thing Arthur Lydiard always said: “in every little village
in the world there are great potential champions who only need motivation,
development, and good exercise evaluation. “ So if you work hard and do
things right, you can be a champion.
What running products would you use or recommend?
Every successful runner needs a watch. The watch is extremely motivating,
more miles per day, more miles per week, more miles per year, all at a faster time
than before… and you need a watch to do this.
What would you include in a well-rounded training program?
Things that are needed to improve in running.
1. Tempo runs – 2-4 miles at 10-15 seconds slower than race pace per mile.
2. Repeats – 1/2 mile and mile repeats with 2 minute rest is an excellent
workout
3. 100 meter strides – doing 8-100 meter strides twice a week does amazing
things for the body and it’s so easy to do!
Thanks, add anything you want.
Every runner runs. That’s the essential of what running is. However, to improve
you must run faster each day, run more miles per week, then per year, and one
must run all year round. As Emil Zatopek, the great Czechoslovakian runner,
said “to become a great runner you need to run until the question of running
doesn’t arise anymore than the question of eating or sleeping”.
I have been running all year round for 24 years.
What are your personal best times?
All my personal best times came from 1991, the last year I really trained hard.
Marathon: 2:31.10
1/2 Marathon: 1:10.49
10km 31:50
5 miles 24:57
5km 15:03
What is your favorite type of run?
I really enjoy long hilly trail runs.
What is your favorite race that you have run?
My favorite race has to be the Mt. Washington race in New Hampshire. There
was only one hill – 7.6 miles up!!!! I also really enjoyed the Pike Peaks Marathon.
What are some of your achievements you are proud of?
Continual running year round for more than 24 years is an achievement that I
am proud of. When I was younger, it was difficult to train everyday, now it’s part
of my everyday life.
What is your favorite type of training run?
I really enjoy mile repeats. When I am in good shape, I look forward to doing
them.
What are your plans for the future?
I have so many plans. I would like to do a marathon in every state and several
countries. I would like to do an ultra-marathon. I am also looking forward to the
day that I have time to bike the Pacific Coast from Washington State to San
Diego.
Who has been your biggest influence in your running career?
The great Australian coach Arthur Lydiard has been a man of great influence to
me. I’ve studied his training philosophies and systems and continue to follow
his principles.
When and where did you coach?
I’ve coach several places for a few seasons, including Fairview, Defiance,
Tinora, and Ayersville. I had to leave coaching 11 years ago because of family
obligations.
What are your favorite coaching moments?
My favorite coaching moments was taking three struggling young runners and
developing them into state champions, all within 18 months of training. Lynn
Bauer from Fairview, Dave Lehman, and Jim Jurcevich from Ayersville who
went on to finishing 6th place at the 2000 USA Olympic 10,000 meter trials.
What is the best thing about running?
My favorite thing about running is being in top shape. When I know that I’m in
good shape physically, I can run fast and make personal records and that’s the
best feeling. When I can run a marathon at sub 6 minute mile pace and then
push the last 3-4 miles, it an incredible euphoria.
What is the best thing about coaching?
Of all the success I had in coaching, the best thing is that 10 to 15 years later I
see the athletes that I once coached and see them succeed in life and having
families. It is very fulfilling. Knowing that I have had some positive impact in
their life is very rewarding.
What advice would you give a starting runner?
You need to realize that if one can stick to the training throughout the many long
years then will power in no longer a problem. It doesn’t matter if it’s cold, dark,
hot, or raining. That’s beside the point. It’s simply that you just have to run. Also,
you must realize this one thing Arthur Lydiard always said: “in every little village
in the world there are great potential champions who only need motivation,
development, and good exercise evaluation. “ So if you work hard and do
things right, you can be a champion.
What running products would you use or recommend?
Every successful runner needs a watch. The watch is extremely motivating,
more miles per day, more miles per week, more miles per year, all at a faster time
than before… and you need a watch to do this.
What would you include in a well-rounded training program?
Things that are needed to improve in running.
1. Tempo runs – 2-4 miles at 10-15 seconds slower than race pace per mile.
2. Repeats – 1/2 mile and mile repeats with 2 minute rest is an excellent
workout
3. 100 meter strides – doing 8-100 meter strides twice a week does amazing
things for the body and it’s so easy to do!
Thanks, add anything you want.
Every runner runs. That’s the essential of what running is. However, to improve
you must run faster each day, run more miles per week, then per year, and one
must run all year round. As Emil Zatopek, the great Czechoslovakian runner,
said “to become a great runner you need to run until the question of running
doesn’t arise anymore than the question of eating or sleeping”.
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| Dan Mix Interview |
