Runner’s World+ Member: Lee Cook
Lee is a Runner’s World+ member. Join him and thousands of others chasing their goals with day-by-day training plans, expert advice from editors and coaches, and unlimited digital access. We regularly feature members online and in print!
I was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War when I was 20 years old. Draftees were only required to serve two years on active duty, but the Army was good to me and my brief stint turned into a 24 year career. In the Army, I had to run in order to pass the physical training (PT) test which included a two mile run. I was still in the Army when I started “running for fun” as a 40-year-old, thanks to a friend who was a runner. I’ve always been a rather competitive person and soon started entering races. I looked forward to the races because those were events where I could be a participant rather than a spectator. Running became such a big part of my life that I became a Runner’s World subscriber in the 1980’s. I soon learned that I was capable of doing things that I previously thought was not possible. Running has kept the competitive juices flowing and has allowed me to exceed running goals I’ve set for myself even now that I’m in my 70’s.
I enjoy reading about anything related to the running world and especially the experiences of other runners whether they are elite runners or new runners and how those experiences compare to my own or that of my running friends.
I run for my health but also because I still enjoy running in races and usually have a schedule of races planned for the following year. That’s all the motivation I need to get me out the door for a run. Nearly all my runs are in the morning so I get a nice energy boost to start the day. I’ve also met many great people through running and I love to run with friends whenever possible.
I run mostly in my nearby rather hilly neighborhood because it’s convenient but I also enjoy running on the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville. The trail was built mostly on an old railroad bed so it’s pretty flat. My favorite place to run though is at Holden Beach, NC, where my family goes for summer vacation. Nothing beats running on the beach early in the morning at low tide!
I have several pairs of Saucony shoes that I really like but the Kinvaras are my go-to shoe for training and racing. They’re lightweight and comfy. My Garmin 230 keeps track of all the metrics that I’m interested in and I never go for a run without it.
A lot has been written regarding what to eat prior to a race. My pre-race routine is pretty simple. At least two hours before the race...a cup of coffee with honey, one iced pretzel rod, and one Clif energy bar (chocolate chip). I’m not superstitious but it’s the same "meal" whether the race is a 5K or half marathon. For races of 10 miles or more, I also pack energy gels for mid-race consumption.
My primary goal is to keep running as long as I’m physically able. In all my years of running, I’ve never run a marathon but it’s still on my bucket list. I’ve signed up for a few marathons in recent years but issues such as injuries always came up to foil my plans. So running a marathon is a near-term goal of mine.
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