Pace Setter : May 2022

Runner Questionnaire – Scott Mindel

When and why did you start running?

When I was 2 or 3 I ran the 100m race at the Town of Colonie summer track meets, though I ran past the finish line and kept going!

What’s your favorite race to date, and why?

Boston 2017. I ran within 2 seconds of my PR, I had friends and coworkers watching me all over the course, I got to run with friends and training partners for the majority of the race and even though my friend incorrectly told me what place I was in around mile 18, it helped motivate me to not get passed by anyone to the finish!

What has been your biggest running adventure to date?

I have done the Great Lakes Relay several times in Michigan. It is a 3 day, 270+ relay race with 9 other guys in the middle of the woods of Michigan.  I made many lifelong friends doing it and would race 30-40 miles hard over 3 days while staying up all hours of the night partying with my friends.

What is your approach to training? Do you follow a particular training plan, or do you work with a coach and if so, who?

I primarily coach myself and have several key workouts I like to gauge my fitness / get ready for key races.  Over the past year or two I have been running workouts with friends that their coaches give them as well, so I have had several coaches by proxy. Most recently I have been running a lot of workouts with my friend who is being coached by Terry Shea, who used to be the B.A.A. team coach.

What is your weekly mileage in peak racing/marathon training season? What is your approach to the off season

I do less mileage than I used to. I try to hit 80+ miles in my peak marathon training. During the "off-season ," during which I still race a lot, I do 60-70 miles per week.

During our cold winter days, do you brave poor weather conditions or stick indoors on the treadmill? If you do run outside, what safety measures do you take?

We used to be spoiled and had access to Harvard's indoor track at 6 a.m. Wednesday mornings. Since the pandemic started, we lost access to that, so have been sticking to the .73 mile "tempo loop" around Harvard's athletic complex. We are still very lucky because it is always plowed, salted and well maintained during the winter months. I only run on the treadmill if there is no other option. I do not enjoy it.

       Scott racing 2021 Stockade-athon

List your PRs: Race, time, year

3k: 8:43 BU Mini Meet 2019

5k: 14:59 Run Westfield 5k 2018

10k: 31:21 Troy Turkey Trot 2016

15k: 48:12 Stockade-athon 2014

10 mile: 51:27 Army 10 Miler 2015

Half Marathon: 67:17 Helderberg to Hudson 2022

Marathon: 2:22:25 Boston 2013

What was your worst injury and how did you get over it?

Sacral stress fracture, December 30th, 2019. I had to take a couple months completely off, then aqua jogged, biked and walked/jogged for a few more months before running again consistently.

Your favorite shoe for training and racing

New Balance 1080 and Saucony Guide for training

New Balance RC Elite (1,2,3) series / Saucony Endorphin Pro / Nike Next% 2 for racing

Ever run in a costume?

I ran in a Santa costume in the Somerville Jingle Bell 5K this past December.

Do you work with a dietitian to enhance your performance?  If so, who?

Nope. I have eaten a much more well-balanced diet since I have been living with my wife Sasha.

What are your favorite pre-race and post-race meals?

Anything pasta pre-race and a nice juicy fatty burger post-race.

What activities do you enjoy when not running?

Hiking, paddleboarding, skiing, hanging out with my family, reading, playing video games.

What challenges / races / adventures are you planning for the coming year?

Running the Vermont City Marathon on Memorial Day weekend, running the Mt. Washington Road Race a couple of weeks later, going to Colorado a couple of times to visit family and for a wedding, as well as another wedding and bachelor party or two throughout the year.

What is the greatest piece of advice you've ever received in the sport?

My high school coach Matt Jones had many sayings, but the one that has stuck with me the strongest is build a better athlete (make sure you are doing other things such as core/cross training, eat healthy and get enough sleep, etc…) and if it doesn’t kill you, it only makes you stronger.

Scott with his dad Mark who has also earned a reputation as a great runner and coach

 

Click here for EXTENSIVE  pictures from race

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