Kevin Drake
Resides in: Bethlehem
Years running: 6 months
Bio: My bio on running is short, well, kind of. I just started in May. I have always been involved with athletics, but over the last several years, the only thing I was doing was Golf (not the best sport to play to stay in shape). Then both my daughters did the Girls on the Run at their school and it kind of inspired me. My wife’s cousin did the C25K program, so I asked her about it and started that program. I then ran my first 5K in September at the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

What do you enjoy most about running?
The sense of accomplishment when I am done. I know it sounds dumb, but when I started running back in May, I never thought I would make it 5 mins. After about 5 weeks I was up to 20 minutes and I thought that’s it, I will never be able to make it any longer. Eventually after 9 weeks, 30-45 minutes was not a big deal.

What are your favorite training foods?
Pineapple – not really a training food, but for a while, I replaced my normal breakfast with chunks of Pineapple and I really started feeling good in the morning.

What is the strangest/funniest thing that has happened to you on a run?
In the Bethlehem Halloween 5K, I got beat but a shark, 2 seagulls, and a chicken.

What is your biggest running accomplishment and why?
Finishing my first 5K. The course was a lot harder then I thought (lots of hills) and I wasn’t sure I would be able to finish.

Favorite race distance?
5K mostly because it is the only one I have done. I do hope to extend this to longer distances, but baby steps.

Most embarrassing race moment?
Well it wasnt a race moment, but one day when I was training and running with the dog, I tripped and fell. As much as I would like to blame the dog, I can’t. I just didn’t see part of the sidewalk that extended up. Sure enough there was a older couple in a car right where I fell. The wife opens the door and was “Oh my, are you OK?” I told her, my ego was hurt a little but other than that I am fine.

Running Heroes?
Really both of my daughters. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t think I ever would have started.

Current running goals?
Well right now it is to break 24 minutes in a 5K, after that it will be 23 minutes and so forth until I can get under 20 minutes. That is my ultimate goal.

What are some things you’ve learned about yourself from running?
The fact that I can push myself as much as I have. So many times I will be out on a run and I could be 5 minutes in or even 15 minutes in and I am thinking to myself “OK, just 5 more minutes and then walk the rest of the way” but then after 5 minutes, I want to keep going, eventually, I end up doing the entire route that I had planned without stopping.

Best race experience?
Had to be my first race. I had no idea what to expect, there were a lot more hills then I expected and I almost started walking at one point, but I kept going and finished in under 27 minutes. Before that, running on my own, I had never gotten under 28 minutes.

What gets you excited about running?
Well, I have been doing it more to get/stay in shape. From the time I started, I have lost almost 30lbs. I think that is what gets me excited, is I like the way I feel now. I can walk up a flight of stairs and not get winded. Every time I go out to run, I know I am doing something good for myself.

Do you have a favorite race?
Since I have only done 3 it is hard to say, but the Bethlehem Halloween 5K was a lot of fun, seeing all the people dress up.