Bob Dainauski

Bob Dainauski

Resides in: Allentown
Years running: 1

Bio: I live in Allentown with my wife Anne and our three daughters. We’ve been here 20 years now. Just about this time last year two friends at work and I realized we weren’t getting any smaller and developed a little weight loss wager. As part of that I started running, a half mile or mile at a time at first. I found I really enjoyed it, and I’ve been hooked since then.

What do you enjoy most about running?
Getting outside in the fresh air, even in bad weather. I was running in the snow the other night. It’s so quiet you can practically hear the snow fall. I also appreciate the results in terms of fitness. I was just out last week shoveling the latest blizzard and it dawned on me that I feel better now than I did 10 years ago.

What are your current running goals?
Above all, maintaining a decent level of fitness and weight maintenance. But I do have two performance goals for this year: one is to lower my 5K time (23:43) and the other is to complete a “distance PR.” My longest race last year was 7.7 miles which, at the time, was my second longest run, ever. I’d like to work my way up to a half marathon or more.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Keep it fun. Make it so that I look forward to the next run, not so that I’m dreading it. I have a job already, I don’t need running to become another one. If it did I’d probably stop doing it.

Do you have a favorite race?
I did 5 events last year, and the one I enjoyed the most was Herbert’s Off Road Run in the Lehigh Valley Parkway. We left the main trail — frequently — to follow single track I didn’t know existed, some of which looked like it had never been run before, except maybe by rabbits. We climbed woodpiles, we ran up the steep grassy sledding hill, and ran hip deep through the Little Lehigh. It was tough, but it was fun, all the way thinking, “what are they going to do to me next?”

What is your favorite running shirt?
I like Under Armor Heat Gear. It doesn’t get soaked and clingy like a cotton tee shirt does. It’s also good motivation to lose those extra pounds, because it fits like paint. I’m still working on that part!