Randall Jegins

Team Running Free Alumni

Age: 52

Member Since: 2013

Occupation: Insurance Analyst

Home: Toronto, ONT

About Me: Graduated with a degree in Economics, then promptly went into the field of Marketing and Advertising to ensure all those years of study were not put into professional practice. Moved on to the Insurance industry where a recent greeting card told me I had celebrated my 15th anniversary with the same company. A former lazy guy who has transformed into an avid runner and race volunteer, I have served two terms as Volunteer Director of the PRA, and in 2014 I was the Course Marshal Manager for the Sporting Life 10K. Marginally talented, incredibly stubborn and focused, eats mostly plants.

Sports: As of today…running, running, and more running. Mostly roads but occasionally like to take a spin on the track or trails. I also have this incredible urge to try and throw a javelin or something. I have no idea why.

Athletic Goals: Knocked off four out of the six goals I set out in 2013, and I will take care of the other two in the second half of 2014 (well hello type of event or distance I haven’t tried previously times two) and in April 2015 respectively (well hello Boston…remember me? You smacked me around pretty good on my first visit. What say we do this again?). Beyond those, the biggest goal I have is to come to grips with the fact I should really specialize in just one or two types of events or distances, and then do my absolute best to excel at them for as long as these legs will let me.

My most catastrophic racing experience was: Easy. 2011 Midsummer Night's Run 30km. Crazy humidex, carrying a vendetta to improve on my lackluster 2010 performance, a wrong turn (yeah I think I developed x-ray vision to see straight through the marshals), lost my headband on the "out" part near the end but found it on the "back" (I have no idea how you can lose a headband), all wrapped up in a plan to "blast" the first 21.1km as part of marathon training. This promptly turned into my worst 21.1km race split ever, walking about 2km after that with the urge to drop out until two apparitions appeared before me. One was an old friend who once said "the first time you DNF due to anything other than injury - that gives you an available option you never had before that you can carry in your back pocket forever". The second was my training partner who totally would've kicked my backside if she slogged it out only to find me in the beer tent sans finisher's hardware. Finished anyway then nearly passed out…heard of room spins…didn't know entire parks could spin. Good times. 2013 at the same event wasn’t much better…but check out my race review for those details.

My most memorable racing experience was: Just one? Unfair. In terms of results? Slaying the personal beast that was the Midsummer Night's run in 2012 en route to a 15K personal best. In terms of race tactics? Around the Bay where thanks to the "RELAY" bibs on the back of the shirts I could specifically hone in on and intelligently pick my spots to pass other relay entrants. In terms of significance? Qualifying for the Boston Marathon for the first time, or maybe winning the 2013 Alfie Shrubb Classic Ten-Miler outright. In terms of enjoyment? Pacing the greatest gal in my life to her half-marathon PB by 20 min in her first go at the distance in seven years, then teaming up again six months later to better that standard. In terms of a learning experience? Being outkicked to lose a CRS Age Group Gold by one second. Every race can make its own memories for one reason or another.

Favourite Racing Gear: Garmin Forerunner 610, Halo Headbands, Injinji toe socks, New Balance 1400s and 1600s, INKnBURN shirts, Amphipod hydration, Power Bar Gels, Petzl head lamps, SLS3 calf sleeves, (jeez I've got a lot of stuff), my super bright obnoxious reflective vest from Descente, and Honey Stinger Waffles.

Favourite Race: The Harry Rosen Spring Run Off in High Park is the closest I have to a hometown race and keeps me coming back year after year regardless of what else the calendar holds.

Favourite Race Food: From flat pop to sport drink to gels of various consistencies and flavours to those little pouches of squeezable baby food…whatever I can choke down and keep down when I need to is alright by me.

Athlete Website/Blog: www.twitter.com/randyjegins