RWR:MEET JONATHAN of RUNNING TIMES

For those of you who run, or do anything running-related, you are likely familiar with Running Times magazine.  Published by Rodale, a health-centric company, each issue contains a variety of features including, but not limited to, training tips, shoe reviews, recipes, and personal stories.  I would agree with an Amazon reviewer who states that it's "a magazine geared toward serious runners, serious athletes, AND the rest of us who are serious ABOUT our running".  Not the faster runner, mind you.  Anyone who cares about running in any way will benefit from reading it.  As a high school cross country and track coach, it is one of my go-to resources for information and suggestions that I frequently apply to my job on a regular basis.  As a relatively competitive runner who is still seeking to learn and improve, it is the perfect accompaniment to my training.  But, enough about the magazine.  Today, I'm fired up to introduce you to Jonathan Beverly, the Running Times editor-in-chief.  A runner since high school, Jonathan has run 26 marathons and countless other races all across the world.  In addition to a runner and writer, he's a husband, a dad and high school cross country and track coach.  Somehow, he also manages to find time for music in his busy schedule, although he's yet to see a live show that has knocked his socks off.  Fortunately, there is still time for that.  Okay, so let's roll.  Meet Jonathan, a runner who rocks.

RWR: JONATHAN BEVERLY

Name: Jonathan Beverly
Where you're from: Born in Nassau, grew up in Maine
Where you reside now: border of Colorado and Nebraska
Age: 50
Occupation: Editor in Chief, Running Times
Blog/website: Runningtimes.com

RUNNING & MUSIC:
What do you love most about running?
Its ability to transform you into someone else and its ability to transport you somewhere else, away from the internal noise.
What do you love most about music?
Its ability to transform a moment and its ability to transport you to other moments, places and emotions.

The great PAUL SIMON

JONATHAN'S FAVORITES:
Band (current, all time or both) Paul Simon
Album (current, all time or both) Paul Simon: Rhythm of the Saints; honorable mention: Kenny Chesney: Lucky Old Sun
Race venue: Carrountoohil, County Kerry, Ireland (Irish Mountain Running’s highest peak)
Music venue: No opinion
Race distance: 10 Mile
Show you've seen live? Usually disappointing
Ice cream flavor: Coffee, Coffee, Buzz, Buzz, Buzz

THIS OR THAT?
Sweet or salty: Salty
Live or recorded: Recorded
Coffee or tea: Coffee
Summer or winter: Winter





MORE MUSIC INFO:
Which band or artist would you go see tonight if you could? James Taylor
Which band or artist (wait...but no longer alive or playing together) would you go see tonight if you could? John Denver
Which band or artist would you like to have dinner with tonight if you could? Jack Johnson
Which band or artist would you like to be playing alongside you during your next race (or long run)? Boston

MORE RUNNING INFO:
When and where was your best race experience and why? Jersey Shore Marathon, 1997.  Got the marathon right, ran a PR (2:49, first time under 2:50), negative split, passed the stragglers in the lead pack all second half. Finished 4th.  Beautiful course, beautiful day.

Which race would you like to do over it you could and why? 2000 London Marathon.  I was living in Belgium, in the shape of my life, aiming for London.  Got the job as editor and swapped London for Boston, did the expo, parties, schmoozing, and bombed the marathon.  Never got that fit again.  Then got old.


Which race is on your bucket list and why? Route du Vin Half-Marathon, Luxembourg.  Love the region along the Mosel river, would like to return and run a beautiful race there.

Which race would you recommend to your fellow runners and why? Tour Du Lac 10 Miler, Bucksport, ME.  Pretty, challenging 10 miler around a lake in my hometown, now it its 39th year.

Top 5 Songs for running, dancing or both?
Little Wonders - Rob Thomas  
Gonna Fly Now (Rocky) - Bill Conti  
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For - U2  
Peace of Mind - Boston  
Hurts So Good - John Cougar Mellencamp  

Last 5 Songs you listened to today?

All from Cat Stevens' Tea for the Tillerman
Where Do the Children Play  
Longer Boats  
On the Road to Find Out  
Wild World  
Oh Very Young