Ralph Gowen
Age Group
50-54 and Clydesdale
Sports Bio
I became a distance runner in high school, running on the cross-country and track teams. I had reasonable results back then but didn't set the world on fire (4:55 mile, 10:40 2 mile). I also discovered road-racing during the first running boom in the '70s and '80s, with my best result being a 2:08 finish at the Pepsi 20 (now called the Clarksburg Country run). I was an on and off fitness runner for many years before my competitive fires were restoked. After moving to Danville and discovering the running community surrounding Forward Motion Sports I became hooked again. I am a running purist, although I will fess up to having finished a biathlon back in the days when you would run in a swimsuit, and then jump in the bay to swim - not my idea of fun! My favorite races are the 5K and the marathon, although halfs are starting to grow on me and I usually race 20 or more times annually. Personal bests in recent years: 5K - 18:35; 10K - 39:17; half - 1:27:22 and marathon 3:08:15.
Highlights of past season(s)
Turning 50 was a great thing for me as I moved back to the bottom of my age group! Having another injury free year was also a great bonus, and I was able to complete the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge, which involved running two marathons in 13 days. I only slowed about 7 minutes at Big Sur which was a lot better than I had expected. Having fellow Ambassador Team member Tara "Turbo" Carreira pace me at the Walnut Festival was another great moment; her help resulted in my fastest 5K in about 8 years.
Favorite race experience
I love running relay races! I have organized Forward Motion Race Club teams for the 200 mile "The Relay" four times, the 72 mile "Lake Tahoe Relay" twice, have run at the Couple's Relay several times, and once joined a short-footed Hood to Coast team (8 guys/1 gal) forcing all of us to run 4 legs. All of these have been epic adventures; where else can you hear about a teammate running into the side of a cow in the middle of a foggy night? I have also dabbled in mud runs, ending up on the podium twice at Muddy Buddy with Dave Luczynski and once at the Big Sur Mud Run with Dave and several other FMRC racers, Angel Barros, Alexia Smith, and Tiffany Deusebio.
Worst race experience
The worst day racing is still better then the best day working! My worst race day from the perspective of how I performed was at the New York City marathon for which I was unable to properly prepare due to a bout of sciatica. I ran okay until the half way point and then had to run/walk the rest of the race. I finished with a Personal Worst, but I finished. Walking up Manhattan through the Bronx and back down Manhattan is not something I'd want to repeat - running is much more fun, but it was no Camarillo. From purely awful racing conditions, a "Get Dirty" 10K on Mt Diablo takes the cake on a day when you had to stop running to remove literally pounds of mud from your shoes every fifth step.
One unique or interesting fact about you or your life
My master's thesis was on the Economics of Snake Breeding
Best training advice ever received
Don't do triathlons
