At best I’m a middle of the pack runner. My marathon PR isn’t that impressive but the fact that someone older than me aims for 2:45 gives me hope. Meet Jim Clemens, a quiet southern gentleman that I met when I ran Hood to Coast with Team Nuun. Jim’s the kind of guy that everyone wants to be friends with. A self-described introvert, he seems to draw people in and bring out the better person in them. I can only imagine what he thought of the loud, crass New Yorker. I only got to know Jim over the few days we spent together while out west in August, but he left a lasting impression.
You can see him on our shakeout run at :10 – :14 and :39 – :41
So without further babbling from me, I present you with the quiet southern storm:
Name: Jim Clemens
Age: 47
City/state: Madison, AL
Occupation: Software Engineer
Twitter – @JPC_Marathoner
Instagram – @marathonrun
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/jim.clemens.165
Blog – http://jpcmarathoner.blogspot.com
Strava – http://www.strava.com/athletes/marathonrun
Garmin Connect – jpc262
When and why did you start running?
I started running in 5th grade. My next oldest sibling ran XC and track in 9th grade then, so I wanted to start running with her during training runs.
As a runner, what are you most proud of having accomplished?
Two things: 1) Breaking 2:40 in the marathon twice and 2) Running Boston (so far, 4 times)
What was the biggest hurdle to running and how did you get over it?
I am not sure I ever had a big hurdle to overcome. My family, both when I was younger and my wife and children, have always been supportive. I guess the only “hurdle” would have been adjusting to having babies in the house and finding time to get runs in.
How do you fit running in with your daily schedule?
My main adjustments have come once I had children of my own. It becomes a lot harder to get runs scheduled when you have little ones at home! When they were babies, I would typically either run during lunch at work or run after work, pushing them in the baby jogger. As they got older and we have more evening activities, I shifted to running first thing in the morning, trying to finish before anyone was up. I have stayed on that schedule and typically am up and running by 5-5:30 in the morning.
Do your friends and family support your running or think you are crazy?<
Ha! Yes, my family support is awesome. There have been many vacations that were planned around a marathon! We also all run the Peachtree 10K now in Atlanta on the 4th of July. My extended family comes to cheer and takes care of me as well any time I am running close to where they live. My dedication and amount of miles I run is the butt of many jokes in my house, but it is all in good fun. My kids and wife all run in several 5Ks during the year as well, so they can’t think I am too crazy.
Have you ever been injured due to running?
Yes. Mostly soft tissue injuries, like strains, pulls, etc. I have just recently come back from a calf tear that kept me out of running for 10 weeks or so; the longest I have ever been off from running for a long, long time. As I have aged, I have had to adjust my training to make sure that I don’t stress myself too much and cross that line into injury. I am likely hard to live with when I cannot run!!
Any favorite motivational quotes?
“I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.” — Eric Liddell (from “Chariot’s of Fire”)
What’s your favorite piece of running gear?
Why, running shoes, of course. Currently rocking the Mizuno Wave Sayonara, Hitogami, and Wave Rider 18’s
What are your long-term goals (if any)?
My long-term goals have changed as I have aged. I would *love* to break 2:40 in the marathon again, but I think that may be past. To keep breaking 2:45 for a long as possible is current “achievable” goal.
Do you use any music or run tracking devices when you run, or are you a “naked” runner?
No music. Garmin watch (currently 610) for GPS and then download to Garmin Connect and Strava.
How do you get yourself through the difficult parts of your runs?
Usually by breaking up the rest of the run into manageable chunks with the lure of “rewards” for getting to a certain mile mark – like a reward of a Gu or drink, etc. During a race, usually just focus on why I am there and all of the training I have put in to getting to this place and just settling the mind’s doubts.
Was this your first marathon?
First marathon was inaugural Disney World back in 1997. Latest was Glass City in April, 2014 (was my 32nd I believe)
Did you follow a training program? If so, how closely did you follow it?
I have followed a training program for every marathon. I use a program put together by Pete Pfitzinger, typical 18 week program, but sometime use a 12 week one.
What were your goals (if any) for the race?
My goal for my last two marathons (NYCM 2013 and Glass City 2014) was to break 2:45. I didn’t quite make that at NYCM but did get it at Glass City.
Any interesting or unexpected things happen on the course?
Nah, my races are usually boring when it comes to unexpected/interesting items. I was at Boston in 2013 during the bombings but had finished prior to the explosions going off.
Did you run with a friend/running partner?
No, usually run by myself. At Boston, I hung with a friend from my town while we waited for the start and then ran with him for the first couple miles.
Did the race live up to the hype?
For my bigger marathons, yes. Especially Boston and NYCM.
Do you think you’ll do another one?
Why yes, I am currently planning my next marathon in Spring ’15. Thinking Napa Valley Marathon right now but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
I really enjoyed this post and getting to know Jim a little more. Thanks!