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UtahRunning.com:  Well, hello, everybody. This is Ken Richardson with UtahRunning.com. We appreciate you listening to this interview that we’ve got today. We’re really excited to interview a renaissance man, Cory Johnson. He owns Old School Body Shop, he’s into ultra‑running, he’s great at metal artwork, and he also is an auctioneer. So he is a jack of all trades, but today our interview is going to focus on that ultra‑running piece, and he’s going to tell us a little bit about himself and will hopefully be able to share some tips with you out there in the UtahRunning.com community.

So, Cory, tell us a little bit about your running background.

Cory Johnson:  Well, as far as my background, I’m going to maybe just gracefully hit on high school. I was a sprinter back in high school and went to state a couple years in a row in various events. After graduation from that, I kind of went into a slump of 18 years and never had any activity as far as physical activity. Then I guess you would say I woke up one day to sort of a midlife crisis, so to speak, and got into running. I actually did a 100‑miler before I’d ever run even a marathon. But I kind of jumped into that whole trail‑running thing approximately about eight years ago, and it just kind of went from there.

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Today while I was running pushing my two kids on the Ogden River Parkway I came across this mural.  It is one of the many cool paintings on the back wall of the rodeo grounds that skirts the edge of the paved pathway.  For some reason though, this particular one caught my attention.  

“Be the Change YOU want 2 C in de World”.  

I’ve heard this saying before, but I actually thought about it deeper today.  Maybe I needed something on my mind to pass the time while I was running.  (Time passes slowly when you are running by yourself and pushing a double jogging stroller for five miles–my 7 month old and 3 year old aren’t exactly long conversationalists.)  

So I thought to myself, “What is the change I would want to see in the world?”  Lots of things crossed my mind, but since I was out running on a beautiful day, I concluded that I would like to see more people being physically active.  I have grown to realize how important this is.  In fact, I’ve become passionate about it.  I really would like to see more people setting aside time each day to workout.

Why?  Because I know what it does for my body, mind, and attitude.  Through coaching, I’ve also seen the positive effects on others.  I’ve seen it build confidence, discipline, and teach life skills.  The effects are numerous and so positive in more than just the physical aspect of it all.  As my thoughts turned inward again, I thought, “Am I being that change I want to see in the world?  Am I setting aside excuses and getting out the door everyday?”  ”Am I being a good example to my family and friends?”

Lately, I can feel myself settling.  Being content with 3-4 days a week of running.  Life is busy with two little ones, a husband training for the Olympic Trials, managing a website, coaching, and fulfilling church callings.  But, I am a better person in all other areas of my life when I make my health and fitness a priority.  Of course life has to have balance, but it is like the oxygen mask idea on airplanes.  Put yours on first and then help others with theirs.  Make your health a priority and then you will be better able to help others around you.  

So, I’m recommitting to be a more consistent, dedicated runner for myself, my family, my friends, and YOU!  So join me… recommit to being physically active and “Be the Change We Want to See in the World!”

by Janae Richardson – Runner | USATF Certified Coach

Below is a really interesting and fun infographic that we thought our community would enjoy!

Running Music for a better running experience!

Question & Answer:  Frequent bathroom breaks while on the run aka “Runner’s Trots”

Question:   I am so hopeful you have time to respond to this question. I am a runner. I average about 40 miles a week, and compete in marathons and halfs. I am pretty fit. 5’7” 135lbs. I love running, and try to keep a good diet. The problem I have though, which doesn’t seem too rare, but is embarrassing, is that every time I go for a run, or run on my treadmill, I have to go to the bathroom. Sometimes, even multiple times before I can get my miles in. I don’t eat fatty foods, so I am confused on what to eat. I live in a rural area, so there are no bathrooms on the road like the city offers. So often times I have to find a discrete place to relieve myself. And I go a lot throughout the day, definitely more than the average person. I know this is kinda funny, and I wouldn’t blame you if you are chuckling right now. But it has become increasingly bothersome, and I need to know what to do, or eat. Is there any way to stop this from happening? Thanks for your time!!! John

Answer:   Hi John.  Thanks for the question.  Unfortunately over the years I have coached many people that have had this problem.  I think the first thing to do would be to start logging the foods you are consuming and see if there is some sort of sensitivity you are having to certain foods.  Be sure and track your BM’s (Bowel Movements) & exercise.  Many people are sensitive to foods that contain fructose (the sugar found in fruit).  If this is the case you can simply avoid having fruits, foods or juices with fructose before or during runs.  Some electrolyte beverages, bars and gels contain fructose, so be sure and read labels.  Dairy, spicy, fatty and high fiber foods can also be problematic for many runners so you will want to avoid these before a run too.  Some food sweetners can also cause problems (ie. sorbitol, aspartame etc…) so be on the lookout for these in sugar-free gums, candy, breath mints, etc…High doses of Vitamin C can cause the “trots” so review any supplements you might be taking.  Dehydration can also trigger bowel movements so be sure and stay hydrated with water.  Be careful with beverages that tend to dehydrate (diuretics) like coffee, tea, alcohol and foods containing caffeine.  Warm beverages can also stimulate gastric emptying.  You might also consider not eating anything too close to running (within two hours) since there is a decreased blood flow to the intestines while running and it may compromise digestion and cause the stomach to be upset.  After logging your foods, and if you can not detect any sensitivity to foods or food patterns then your problem may be related to the muscles or something else.  Another possible cause would be that the muscles in the intestines & stomach are being stimulated to contract more rapidly with the “jarring” of running.  I wonder if you would have the same result using an elliptical in lou of some running to see if it makes a difference.  You could give it a try and see.  Stress or having the “jitters” can exacerbate this problem so be sure and stay relaxed.  If not, then unfortunately I don’t think there is an easy fix to this, but I have had some clients find that using anti-diarrhea over-the-counter medications, like Imodium, before races and important workouts to be helpful.  I would caution you against doing this too much.  It would also not be a bad idea to consult physician to rule out anything else that could be going on.  There are other diseases that could cause this problem like colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac (gluten intolerance), etc… It’s worth getting it checked out just to be sure.

Happy Running,

Coach Lora Erickson

“Blonde Runner”

USATF certified running coach

www.BlondeRunner.com

Ellie Kate Simmons, a 7 year-old second grader from Jordan Ridge Elementary School in South Jordan, Utah finished her first ever running race, the 30th annual 13.1 mile St. George Half Marathon, this past weekend. Ellie finished in a time of 2:37 and was the youngest runner on the course.

Ellie was inspired to start running after finding out that her mom, Anne Johnson Simmons ran the 26.2-mile St. George Marathon 30 years ago when she was just 8 years old. Ellie and her mom began training soon after her baby brother was born last July. They started out just walking to school each day which eventually turned to running to school and then each week they would add 1 more mile to their training program until they could run 13- miles. Ellie said the best part about the race was the Gatorade at the aid stations and meeting a new friend, 38 year-old Debbie Labaron from Clearfield, UT who caught up to Ellie to find out how old she was and ended up running and visiting with her and her mom for many miles. Ellie was also running for a special cause and wore her pink running outfit to honor her 71 year-old grandmother, Linda Simmons, who was supposed to be running with her but underwent colon cancer surgery a few weeks ago and was not able to participate this year.
What’s next for Ellie? Her mom, aunt and uncle are race directors for southern Utah’s new Top of Zion Relay in June and northern Nevada’s Ruby Mountain Relay in August, both part of the Run Back Country running series, so she will keep up her training so she can run those relays with her cousins and maybe even join her parents and grandmother on the St. George Marathon course in October. Running is part of Ellie’s family tradition and she wants other kids to know that you are never too young to start living a healthy and active lifestyle.

“you’re not afraid of snot rockets.  That’s when I crossed into true runner-dom.”

–Bethany Dawn Larson

“…you have calloused toes, missing toenails and rubbed raw between your thighs and underarms.  Glide this!”

–Lily Campbell Wheatfill

“you skip the shower to get that extra mile.”

–Felicia Nicole

“you have more running clothes than regular clothes in your laundry pile”

–Fabricio Gutierrez

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