Runner Profile
Rick Fishbune
Age: 62
Job: IBM Electrical Engineer (Retired)
Hometown: I grew up in Tomah, WI; I now reside in Rochester, MN
Running mantra: Keep moving forward; Breath in strength, breath out weakness.
How running has changed me:
Growing up, I always played team sports, but never considered myself a runner. When I was in my fifties, I watched my daughter, Tricia, run her first marathon. That inspired me to get into shape and run a 5K. After successfully completing that, I signed up for the RTC Marathon Training class in the spring of 2015, and I started attending the Saturday Morning Training runs and I picked the Med City half marathon to be my goal race. It was painful, but I did it. I decided if I can do a half marathon, I could do a full marathon? So I set a goal to run my first marathon, the Mankato Marathon in October 2015. Again, mission accomplished. The first half of the marathon went well, but I began to suffer during the second half, especially the long downhill part of the course, around mile 19. I limped, clawed, trudged my way forward to get to the finish line. Somehow I made it even though I felt completely exhausted. It took me a while to recover, but I soon had a desire to try again. I have kept running consistently since taking the marathon training course. Running a marathon for me is not easy, however, I have learned to enjoy the process.
I now have run ten marathons and twenty half marathons in the last six years, and I hope that I will be able to continue for several more years to come. I learn from each race, and I enjoy the group runs and getting outdoors for a run whenever I can.
Why I joined RRC:
Why I run:
I run because it makes me feel better about myself. When I run, I feel free and I connect with the outdoors and my surroundings. Running gives me a time to think about my day and it helps me sort out things which may be irritating me. Running helps me and it helps me to keep on trying. The hardest step is the first one out the door, but once that step is taken, the rest almost always seem to follow so much easier.
When I run:
When I was working, I would normally run after work. Now that I’m retired, I have a bit more flexibility. I haven’t gotten into a set pattern yet, so I run at various times of the day.
Where I run:
I enjoy running through Quarry Hill Park and Viola Hill when I need some hill workout. I enjoy the Rochester trail system through BEar Creek and through Mayowood.
When I run, my must have:
I always wear my Garmin watch when I run. Even though I rarely look at my watch during the run, I do review the data it gathered afterwards.
My running goal:
I primarily run for the fun of it, but I must admit that when I’m in a race, I give my best effort that day. I always set some A. B. and C goals for a specific race so that I’m always attempting to meet some target goal. My goal is to be able to keep enjoying running for as long as I possibly can.