Runcheck

Full Name: KENNETH TENEBRO

Occupation: Military Officer

Running Mantra/Motto: “Life Begins at the end of your Comfort Zone”. “Don’t Ever Let Anyone Tell You That You Can’t Do Something” You are more than your limitations. You are much better than you think, and more than capable of achieving what your heart desires. Life is like running – both are full of adventures, challenges, peaks and valleys and one lesson after another. You will achieve your goal as long as you do not quit. “”Relentless forward motion.” You will eventually finish as long as you do not quit!

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running?
Since the fall of 2009. Was volunteered to represent my base as a charity runner for the Wounded Warriors Project during the 2009 NYC Marathon. I started late in running, 2 months before my 35th birthday.

Why do I run?
It keeps my sanity. It was a blessing that I discovered running during the most tumultuous and challenging time in my life. I came back from the Iraq War a different person and had to go through counseling and was put on anti-anxiety medications by my therapist. I hated it and refused to allow my self to be hooked on meds for the rest of my life. Running saved my sanity. Although I have to admit that it is addicting. But I guess It is a more positive form of addiction than what my therapist had prescribed.

What was the first race you ever completed? (Any distance)
26.2 NYC Marathon. Baptism by fire…yes my first official race was a marathon. I did not even know then how long a marathon was back then. It was painful but I finished.

What was your first marathon? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day?What is the thing you remember MOST about this race?
NYC Marathon 2009. Fun? Hell no. It was painful, cold and miserable. Remembered the most? It was the day I fell in love with running.

Have you ever run an ultra-marathon (50K and up)? What is the longest race you’ve run? Which ultra do you remember best and why?
Yes. I ran 6 ultras this year including a 100 miler. My most memorable (painful) ultra was my very first one. The Febapple Frozen Fifty. It was a very hard mountain trail in the middle of winter. We were running/sliding through ice and snow. Plus the trail were not clearly marked that many runners were lost in the woods, me included. The conditions were just unforgiving but I managed to finish my very first ultra in one piece.
My longest ultra is the 100 Mile Beast of Burden Ultra Marathon in Lockport, NY las summer. It was very memorable in the sense that I never used to think that I was capable of enduring such a long distance, which I did. That in itself gave me some sense of self realization that hey I can pretty much achieve any goal that I set my sights on as long I have the courage to do it, endure and persevere through what ever challenges I have to deal with along the way.

Which marathon or ultra would you never run again and why?
I can’t think of any among the 28 that I have done so far. They were all unique and fun. I won’t count any race out at all no matter how boring the course, how hard and how horrible the organization was.

Which one has been your favorite?
Big Sur International Marathon… the place is simply awesome. The scenery will blow you away. I was lucky to run it on one gorgeous morning, I was in complete awe how beautiful nature is.

What was the most challenging marathon/ultra or combination of marathons/ultras you’ve ever done and why?
The fall marathon season has been the most challenging months (Sept-Dec) for me. I did it last year, kicking of in Berlin (end of September) and run a marathon almost every week thereafter until December. I will go through the same schedule this year. I started last weekend in Berlin and now the real challenge begins in completing 15 more marathons/ultras for the rest of the year. I have some weekends that I have to do a “double”. My hardest combo will be the NYRR Knickerbocker 60K on November 19 followed by Brooklyn Marathon on November 20 and the 50K TNF Endurance Challenge – San Francisco, CA 12/3/2011 followed by the California International Marathon – Sacramento, CA 12/4/2011. I hope I’ll have enough legs left to run those races by then.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?
I would love to run the Mt. Everest marathon someday. I would like to run the Bataan Death March (160 KM ) too. I applied for next year and I am crossing my fingers that I get accepted. I am captivated by the history of BDM. It is historic for both the US and Philippine armed forces.

If you could run a marathon/ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose?
My brother …

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it?
Grand Canyon …that will be an awesome sight.

What was your most memorable race (any distance) and why?
NYC ING 2009 (26.2 miles) … My first …will never forget it.

If someone asked you to pick a marathon for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest?
Berlin ….

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a marathon or ultra?
Philippines … 6000+ miles … almost 24 hours plane ride.

Do any of your non-running friends or family members thing that you’re crazy for running as much as you do? What are some of their comments to you?
All the time … ” you are nuts”

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons/ultras would you run in one year?
52…one/week or I’ll do the 50 States challenge in 50 weeks.

From what marathon or ultra did you receive your favorite finisher’s medal?
Got to be Disney … I do not really get excited receiving the medal post-race but I proudly collect and display them.

Where do you keep your finisher medals?
Hanging in my bedroom wall …

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? Would you rather receive a cotton shirt or a technical fiber shirt?
Definitely technical shirt …I rarely wear race t-shirts. They go straight to my collection.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training?
I swim and bike for cross training … I am a low and lazy mileage runner. I am lucky to do 20 miles/week. Sometimes my only mileage for the week is the actual marathon/ultra itself.

What training advice would you give to some one who wants to run their first marathon? How about their first double (2 in 2 days)? Or their first 50-miler?
Train and put in your mileage. There is no shortcut to marathon running. It is still going to be painful, but do not forget to enjoy and have fun. Take pictures…

Do you have a training partner(s)? If so, who? Coach?
No but I wish to have one. He or she will probably put discipline into my running. Coach? I do not know if I am “coachable”. I am stubborn and pretty much just want to do things on my own pace and time. But still I would love to have one who can push me to train.

What about eating? Pasta dinner the night before? Breakfast before the race? Favorite post-race food and drink?
I usually go to a Chinese restaurant pre and post race. Favorite post-race meal is a full crispy fried duck with fried rice and beer.

What do you do for fun other than run?
I still love to hangout in clubs with friends.

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