Name: Kurt Gogolin
Location: Lafayette, IN
Original Hometown: Reed City, MI
Professional Career: Manufacturing – Wabash National
Favorite Running Shoe: New Balance 890V4
Favorite Race Distance: ½ Marathon
Favorite Personal Record (PR): Marathon – 2:54
Favorite Food: Steak & Baked Potato & Ice Tea
Favorite Singer/Band: Shania Twain
Favorite Book or Movie: Merry Christmas Alex Cross – written by James Patterson
Q: Can you give us a little background on your running history? What got you first involved in the sport? I ran competitively while in school, but didn’t really enjoy it then. Then about 10 years ago when my son started running cross country in high school, I decided to begin running again and was able to run some workouts and races with him.
Q: What are your top memories from your competitive career? There are many, but here are two of my favorites: 1.) Running a marathon with my son Scott to cross it off my bucket list. I had only planned to run 1 marathon at that point (I’ve run 21 marathons since then). At that race (Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City, MI in 2011), both Scott and I qualified to run the Boston Marathon. In 2012, we both ran Boston and it was a great feeling and accomplishment. The Boston fans are spectacular and treat the runners very well. My second top memory is related to triathlons. Many people know that I also enjoy competing in triathlons. Last year, I completed 3 Ironman 70.3 races and Ironman Louisville. I ended the year ranked 15th in the world and 6th in the USA in my age bracket at the Ironman 70.3 distance and qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in 2017.
Q: Who has had the most influence on your athletic career? My Dad and my high school cross country coach – Dale Clark. They both drove me to be the best at whatever I did.
Q: What races are you preparing for and what are your goals for those races? Two key races in the next 6 months. The first is in triathlon, the Ironman 70.3 World Championships that will be held in September, and the second is I plan to run the Boston Marathon again next year(my 3rd time at Boston) with my brother Greg who just recently qualified for his first time to go to Boston. Running Boston, first with my son Scott, then to be able to run it with my brother Greg is emotionally rewarding for me to share that experience with both of them.
Q: What are one or two of your favorite workouts that you are looking forward to running this training segment? I love trail running. I will run most of the trail series runs the club sponsors. I also do “hill repeats” once a week. Out on the east side on CR-50 or CR-100 near Faith are some great hills to work out on. I also do a lot of interval training where I’ll run 2-3 minutes at Rate of Perceived Effort (RPE) 8-9, then 2 minutes jolly jog; repeat this routine 4-10 times.
Q: How has the Wabash River Runners Club helped you towards your running goals? I’ve been able to meet many local runners though the club, some of which have become very good friends and training partners. There is always someone who wants to go for a run or a workout of some type. I also enjoy the Farmers 5K series and the Trail series. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are, what matters is that you are doing something for yourself. Runners are a community of their own. Everybody has a reason why they run. Regardless of that reason, running helps everyone get in better shape, improves motivation, and you just feel better. I run because I love to compete, but more so because it keeps me in shape and motivated in whatever I’m doing.