John Pereira

Team Running Free Alumni

Member Since: 2010

Home: Milton

About Me: Married to a wonderful wife and have 2 beautiful daughters (Age 13 and 18) who constantly support me in all this craziness! I started mountain biking in 2004 and quickly got hooked on racing a couple of months later. Races I've competed in are: Tour of Pelham, Paris to Ancaster, Lake to Lake, 8x12 Series, 24 Hr Summer Solstice, 24 Hr Hot August Nights, Epic 8's, Squeezer, Woodstock, Ontario Cup and Ontario Marathon Challenge. It wasn't until Mach of 2009 that I started running. I only planned on running as a means to cross train in hopes of improving my MTB race times. No sooner had I started running that I thought about possibly trying a race. So I registered for the Mississauga Half which was only two months away! Race day came and although I was tired at the end of it, I had found a new love!

Sports: Mountain biking, Running

Athletic Goals: Trying to qualify for Boston. Update....Qualified!

My most catastrophic racing experience was: Definitely the time during a mountain bike race in 2009. This was the 5th race in a series consisting of 8 races. Prior attempts at holding pace with the lead group had always come short. Finally on this 5th race I was able to stick with them and push the trails. While very familiar with the course, approximately 6km in I found myself laying on one side of the trail and my bike on the other. I had smashed into a rock that was jutted out in the middle of this narrow trail. I was aware of this rock and knew it was coming up but not wanting to let too big a gap come between me and the rider in front of me, I was glued to his rear wheel and unable to clearly see the trail ahead. My mistake. Luckily, the riders that were directly behind me were able to get by without crashing into me or my bike. A little dazed, I quickly got up and made sure I was ok. Only thing I could see was a cut to my knee and a few minor scratches...phew! I rushed over to get my bike but as soon as I got on it, I knew something was wrong with it. I had broken the right side pedal...not good. To make matters worse, my rear derailleur was also broken, hanger bracket was bent, and the bike computer sensor snapped off! At this point I knew I would not be able to continue the race and headed back to the start for a DNF.

My most memorable racing experience was: Running: During the 2010 Dundas Cactus 5k race where I posted a sub 20 which was a goal of mine that I kept falling just shy of. Mountain Biking: My very first race in 2004 which was the 24 Hour Summer Solstice (Team). Fell in love with trail racing and night riding. That race is what started it all! Placing 2nd AG and 6th overall at the 2009 Ontario Mountain Bike Marathon Championships: Mansfield

Favourite Racing Gear: Shoes: Mizuno Elixer, Saucony Fastwitch, Salomon Slabs Clothing: RF gear...what else! CW-X Equipment: Garmin 405, Trek EX8

Favourite Race: They are all my favourites!

Favourite Race Food: Pre race: Toasted bagel with peanut butter, espresso Race: Gu's (regular and Roctane)