Steve Klug

Q: When did you begin running and why?
I started running more during COVID because all the gyms were closed and then found a running group in Baltimore that helped really push me along to sign up for my first races.

Q: How did you find out about DCRR and when did you join?
Moved to Arlington in February 2022 and was signed up for my first marathon in May 2022, so found the club pretty quickly online and joined right away.

Q: What are you training for right now?
Boston and NYC marathons this year

Q: What is the toughest run or race in which you have participated?
My first marathon in May 2022 I had a lofty goal of qualifying for Boston and running sub-three hours. In hindsight I was so inexperienced and knew nothing about training cycles, weekly mileage goals, tapering, or that marathons aren’t exactly 26.2 miles, because I was definitely not running tangents.

Was going great until mile 17 when I started negotiating with myself and doing math to say I could slow down a little bit while still reaching my goals (never do math while running), a stiff headwind kicked up off the lake for miles 22-24 and I ended up finishing in 3:00:20.

Q: What is the most important lesson running has taught you?
Progress is not linear. You really need to fall in love with the routine, surround yourself with people you enjoy running with and not get caught up in frustrations when you aren’t constantly seeing faster times. It is too easy to just always think you need to run more or run harder, but I have found that sometimes the greatest rewards come from doing less and giving your body time to recover.

Q: What is your favorite route in the area?
I love running the mall . . . never gets old, and I think everyone that runs with me on our Monday Night Chill Runs can tell that I get an extra pep in my step when we are running around there (especially in the spring when the reflecting pool is empty and we can sneak down there).