Runner of the Month: July 2014

Name: Brad Leonard     

Age:  80

Hometown:  Missoula

Originally From:  Little Compton, Rhode Island  — 40 dairy farms and a few sea fisherman; no organized sports for kids.

Started Running:  1972 in Reston, Virginia, to stay in shape to play ice hockey and to climb mountains

First Road Race:  1974, Steamboat Classic, Peoria, Illinois, 4.5 miles

Races Since 1981:  355 running races since 1981, 223 triathlons, 17 duathlons, 6 aquathlons, and a lot of other races

Favorite Race:  Missoula Half Marathon

Miles Run Per Week:  10 to 25 miles

Philosophy:  “If you’re not particularly good at any one sport, you might as well do them all.”

Currently Training For:  Missoula Half Marathon, USA Triathlon National Championships in early August, International Triathlon Union World Championships in late August.

Favorite Things to Do Besides Running:  cycling, swimming, alpine skiing, ice skating, kayaking

Craziest Thing I Ever Did:  At age 17, I rode my 3-speed Raleigh bicycle across the United States from Rhode Island to San Francisco in 1951, covering 3400 miles in 35 days on a budget of $15 a week. Then rode most of the way back.  Lesson learned:  prevailing winds blow from west to east.  Headwind 28 of the 35 days.  But it’s exhilarating to wake up in the morning and have a day of new experiences and adventures ahead.

Words of Wisdom:  I’m thankful for all the years of running, biking, swimming, skiing, hiking, climbing, kayaking, sailing, and other outdoor activities I’ve been fortunate to enjoy.  Although slowing over the years, I feel as if I’m running as fast as ever — until I look at my watch.

Anything Else You’d Like to Add:  I met my wife Sue Falsey when we were both training for marathons, she for the New York City marathon, me for the Marine Corps marathon.