FOCUS - JUNE 2015 1 Beyond general background, I rarely have much prior knowledge about the topics I cover with my interview subject. That’s part of the fun, honestly, learning in detail about something unfamiliar from someone who’s passionate about it. Without doubt, some of this “journalistic curiosity” bleeds into the resulting article, and it’s this element which makes interesting reading for others. But running’s one topic where, in advance of the interview, I understand the psychology, as well as the bumps and bruises which are exercise’s inevitable consequence. Because runnning is one of my passions, too, and I have years of experience to draw on. (As the corny ol’ line goes, I’ve been running for 40 years, and boy, are my legs tired.) - Scott A hundred miles is a considerable dis- tance to cover in a car, let alone running. But that’s exactly what, just about to turn 60-year old James Culp is planning for this September. “The 100-mile (160 km) race is the gold standard for ultra-marathoners,” he says. “And I’ll be ready for it.” Running such an extreme distance, as you’d expect, is a goal built over time, the sum of considerable experience with the sport. “I was an athletic kid, ran competitive cross-country. And through my 20’s and 30’s, I did some just to stay fit.” That casual attitude changed in 1995, when his sister and her husband encouraged him to join them in the 10K Vancouver Sun Run. “I looked at it as a fun challenge,” he remembers. “But it became a defining moment and I never looked back.” Born with an admittedly competitive nature – and after discovering he was at least on par with others in his age group – James aimed higher and higher. Completing a marathon became the next logical goal. I set out to do a marathon before I turned 40. At one time I’d sneered at people who ran them, but there I was, training for one.” Just three years after that initial Vancouver ex- perience, James’ marathon dream became a reality. “My time for that first one in Buffalo was respect- able, about four hours,” he recalls. “So I knew I wasn’t ridiculously over my head. Hurt like the dickens afterward, though!” But not badly enough to dampen his enthusiasm. “It wasn’t long before I started thinking ‘what’s next!’” A dozen more marathons followed through the next decade, often chosen for the run’s location. “I picked fun destinations because I love to travel. I took my father to many of them…he became my coach. I have some great memories from those days.” ...................... Please turn to page 4 He’s On The RUN FOCUS - AUGUST 2017 3