Chris Johnston

Q: When did you begin running and why?
Growing up, I always played sports, especially baseball and basketball, but my middling talents never matched my superstar ambitions. At some point, though, I figured out I could run. I came out for cross country as a high school freshman, got a varsity letter that season, and never looked back.

Q: How did you find out about DCRR and when did you join?
Back in 2002 or 2003, I read an article in the Washington Post Magazine (I think) about running clubs who were doing organized track workouts. At the time I was only running recreationally but this really got my attention. Then, a few months later, while heading to an adult education class at Washington-Lee I actually saw the club workout taking place on the track. I stopped and talked to someone for a few minutes. We had a nice chat and that inspired me to join the club and start coming out. I’ve been a member ever since, and now my wife Lynn is a member, too!

Q: What are you training for right now?
Currently, I am taking a break from marathon training and going to the other extreme, training for the mile. I haven’t been a miler really since high school, but now I’m signed up for a bunch of open meets this summer, and of course I will run in the DCRR Mile and 3K track championships, plus Bunion Derby races. My “goal” meet will be the Potomac Valley Games on Labor Day weekend, where I will compete in the masters’ mile.

Q: What is the toughest run or race you’ve ever participated in?
Well, a couple stand out here, but my first marathon, Philadelphia in 2006, takes the cake. I really had no idea what I was doing. I was undertrained, didn’t eat breakfast that morning due to nerves, went out too quickly, didn’t take gels on the course with me . . . and hit the wall hard at 16 miles. Somehow I willed myself across the finish line in 3:50. It was humbling, but I learned a lot from it and was much better prepared the next time!

Q: What’s your favorite part about being a DCRR member?
I love the camaraderie of the club, the way it welcomes runners of all ages and abilities and provides first-class support to all members. If you run, you are a runner, and if you are a runner, you are welcome in our club. I am proud to be a member, and now a board member, of this great organization.

Q: What’s your favorite route in the area?
I spend a lot of time on the W&OD Trail. Over the years, I’ve covered every inch of it on foot from Mile 0 (Shirlington) to Mile 30.5 (Leesburg). But usually I’m somewhere along the stretch from Mile 9 (Cedar Lane) to Mile 17 (Wiehle Avenue). It gets crowded sometimes with other runners, walkers, and cyclists, but it’s such a great place to train. I don’t know what I’d do without it.

Q: What’s the most important lesson running has taught you?
Accept yourself for the runner you are, but challenge yourself to always get better. We can’t all be Olympians, but I can be my best me, and I can inspire others by training well, and sharing what I’ve learned. Never underestimate the power you have to inspire someone else, just by being fearless and running.

Q: What race day traditions do you have?
Mine are pretty boring, really, the same ones most other runners have. Lay your gear out the day before the race. Eat a good breakfast. Get to the race site with enough time to do a proper warmup. It’s all about preparing for success. As I tell the high school runners that I coach, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. And all those little things count!

Q: What’s your proudest running moment?
Running a new all-time marathon PR in the 2014 Boston Marathon. I had run Boston the year before, and in the wake of the bombing I was determined, like so many others, to come back and run my very best. For me it was what I had to do, to honor those wounded or killed by the bombs, and to be part of a very large statement, that we are Boston Strong, and will not be stopped by those who try to spread fear, ever. I trained hard and smart all winter and ran 3:18:25. I’ll never forget that day.

Q: What’s your life like outside of running?
These days, it’s pretty busy! I am a self-employed business development consultant, which means I’m always either working on assignment or looking for my next gig. I also own a small business, Breakout Running, that provides 1:1 training to other runners, and I am the head cross country coach at Robert E. Lee High School in Springfield. When I’m not doing those things, I love spending time with Lynn doing all the things we enjoy doing together.

Q: What is one thing you wouldn’t run without?
A good pair of socks! I don’t know how some runners go sockless. I just can’t do it! I have to have my nice performance socks (Feetures, Injinji, Point6, etc.) even if they are pricey.