Runner’s World+ Member: Mike Digirolamo
Mike is a Runner’s World+ member. Join him and thousands of others chasing their goals with day-by-day training plans, expert advice from editors and coaches, and unlimited digital access. We regularly feature members online and in print.
I took up running because I thought if I could run a sub-3 hour marathon and qualify for Boston, then I could probably also get a job I loved. I ran a 2:58 at Erie, PA, then a 3:00:05 at Boston, and a 2:48 at Marquette, MI. At the same time I pursued a meaningful career in environmental journalism, and impact media development that I’m still doing to this day with Cimpatico.TV, and Mongabay.com. I started getting faster (and before a hamstring injury) I could run a 1:15:24 half marathon.
I enjoyed the personal stories about runners—people that changed their lives and were making positive impacts to their communities through running—by spreading awareness on civil rights and social justice issues. If anything, I care about those stories the most. Behind every runner is a great story. One that can enrich and change the world for the better.
I run for lots of reasons. I started doing this because it was a form of exercise I could take anywhere. I was living in Chicago and Los Angeles in the early 2010’s (can’t believe I just said ‘the early 2010’s’), and I used to run through Lincoln Square in Chicago, and Griffith Park in LA whenever I had time. It kept me in shape, and gave me time to collect my thoughts. Other than pursuing my career, this was the only outlet for accomplishment I felt. Now, I run for impact. After COVID-19 is (hopefully) under control, I want to use my running to raise money for causes related to environmental and social justice. To spread awareness about the societal inequalities we grapple with, and champion equality.
I only have one life to live. I only get to be 23, 33, and 43 one time in my life. I don’t want to get to 83 and regret that I didn’t take the opportunity to use the health and vitality that I’ve been luckily granted. Also, lots of people aren’t gifted with the same equal opportunity to run for enjoyment and I’m privileged to be able to do this. I want everyone to have that same opportunity. I want so badly for my country to turn the tide on racial injustice that has gone on for far too long, everywhere, even in the running community. I run to fight against that injustice.
Griffith Park in Los Angeles was my place. I just moved to San Francisco. I’m sure I’ll find more places I love here. I was signed up to run the San Francisco Marathon in 2020, but yet again COVID-19 destroyed that dream, and I’ve deferred my entry to 2021. I expect that course will become my new favorite route to run.
Hoka Clifton 6 and 7. Specifically those two versions. I can’t say enough good things about them. I also love the Rincon, and I’m a sucker for a Saucony racing flat.
I enjoy running ridiculously long distances as fast as possible. Like, I will string together 13 consecutive 5:44 miles and think that’s just a grand old time.
It is frankly ludicrous for me to consider an Olympic Trials Qualifier, but that would be the goal. Maybe when I’m Abdi Abdirahman’s age? After all, that’s 10 years away for me, so it could happen, right? A sub 2:30 marathon is probably more in reach for me for the near future.
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