Paul Pinzarrone, 54
State Trooper/Artist

I've been running for...

27 years. I started running regularly in Champaign, IL wearing some flat K-mart "tennis" shoes with hard rubber lumps for soles. I started running because it felt good. It's always a convenient way to regain focus, get drained, escape, feel warm and fuzzy. I discovered that it took the edge off and cured everything. And because I HAD to run... not because of any obsession of course.

I run 30 to 50 miles a week, depending on blood, level of ibuprofen, barometer and schedule. When I have run at 70 miles per week, I felt sharp, fit and not bothered by much else.

If I could no longer run I would...

Bike. But I would also be accused of going through menopause or PMS and alienating everyone around me.

My favorite run is...

A 6 to 12 mile trail run. Rock Cut is a favorite. Trail runs make you work harder and make you stronger. 

I like to run with...

E, Otis [lab-mix], Road Crew, Wed night Road Runners, anyone who wants to run and talk, myself when training or working on problems.

Ellie and I have run a lot together; training, racing and when we get together, there's always a daily run in there. It's a chance to bond, talk and push each other. When doing repeat 400's, we would take turns leading, setting the pace in an attempt to drop each other. Just like racing, except I usually am trying to catch up to her.

Next up will be racing each other at a marathon.

I am inspired by...

People who work hard and throw off energy; most people running ahead of me. 

The local runner I most admire is...

Ron Leonhardt. Ron is always working hard, smiling and firing people up to improve.

To push myself on a run I...

Check time, check pace, and listen for breathing or footsteps behind me.

When I'm not running I like to...

Make art, play and be invisible. Running clarifies thought. Problems get worked on while running and after a long or hard workout, difficulties become more manageable. For years I used airbrushes to apply acrylic lacquers to the back side of acryic sheets. Running was a chance to back away from my art, get fresh air and solidify thoughts. Today, I use computer programs to continue my explorations and use running to back away from pieces, get fresh air and refocus thoughts. 

Some years ago on the job, I spotted a van on a city street with 2 kids inside that kept looking at me [I was driving an unmarked Chevy squad car]. They looked too young to be driving / riding in a new van so I turned around and followed it. They took off and blew stop signs, ultimately bailing out and running away. I caught 'em both and they were winded and surprised.

Whatever we do [we = runners], we do it better because we're more fit. Because we work and sweat and get rid of excess energy and demons... more oxygen makes it to our brain cells. I believe that running gives me better mental focus and the ability to respond to incidents better and more efficiently.

Running gives me endurance; some-times it's being out there for a long run, sometimes it's a long stretch or incident or enforcement wave at work or sometimes it's spending weeks working on layers of a new computer piece. 

In the mid-1980's, I decided to run the Rockford Marathon 2 days before the race. The extent of my training was 11 miles every day and 2 days of no running. A 12 miler was my longest run and I took off running it like a quick 10K. It wasn't pretty.

My greatest running accomplishments are...

1)  2000 Chicago Marathon, people told me I qualified for Boston but I had no idea what that meant.

2)  I blew a tendon and two ligaments at mile 18 in Chicago 2004 and really wanted to stop but didn't.  3:46, a cast and a winter of stationary biking and rehab proved I was right [well, it's My idea of accomplishment].

With my art, there is so much more to do... There is always a "next" piece just under the surface, waiting for me to discover it and figure out how to materialize it. Current goals include updating my website [www.pinzarrone.com], getting series of 40"x 60" pieces framed and increase long runs to prepare for 1 or 2 marathons next year.  Id like to run more marathons, in more places and to regain lost speed.

I plan to run until...

A lazy boy recliner, remote control and chocolate does what running does.

My advice to other runners is...

Don't quit, push hard, faster faster, kick some butt. More is always better.... You'll be glad you did later.