Thursday, April 29, 2021

RWR:MEET MARK REMY, WRITER & RUNNER

"There is beauty in every run, if you take the time to look. Music, too, if you listen for it."
~Mark Remy

Today I am really excited to introduce you to Mark Remy (aka Dumb Runner).  Years ago I used to read and really enjoy Mark's column, Remy's World, in Runner's World Magazine.  While he wrote for the publication he was also an executive editor of the website and played a big role in leading the site to its overall awesomeness that continues to prevail today.  Mark is now focused on his personal site, Dumb Runner, which as described in his own words "is an online destination for runners who enjoy laughter and pie."  In addition to his role as a writer, Mark is a big time runner who has completed 28 marathons and holds a 2:46 PR which is from....well....some time ago.  Still, fast is fast.  Mark also guided a blind runner as a member of Team With A Vision for two years at Boston.  I, too, was on this team and did not make the connection at the time, which is a bummer for me as it would have been nice to meet and chat with him pre-race while we waited with our TWAV teammates.  I'm guessing he would have made us laugh and significantly less nervous.  Mark has written four books about running along with his "dumb training journal" which is worth picking up if you like to run and you want to log your training info while while finding the humor in the process along the way.  He's also a die hard music fan.  And while he has at least thirty 'favorite albums' his favorite all time band is the Pixies and he has the freshly inked tattoo on his arm to prove it.  You can find Mark on over on Twitter and I highly recommend giving him a follow as he makes me laugh out loud every single day.  And who doesn't want that?  Okay, enough from me, let's meet Mark, a runner who rocks.


RWR:MEET MARK REMY

Name: Mark Remy
Where you're from: Ohio
Where you reside now: Portland, Oregon
Age: 51
Occupation: writer
Blog/website: DumbRunner.com


ON RUNNING & MUSIC:
What do you love most about running?
I love running for a bunch of reasons, so it's hard to choose just one. Very near the top of the list, though, would be its reliability. Running delivers positive results, for me anyway, just about every time I do it. I honestly can't remember the last time I finished a run NOT feeling better than when I started. How many things can you say that about?

What do you love most about music? 
For me, music has always represented a wonderful paradox. On one hand, creating and enjoying music is one of the most human things humans can do, I think—it's elemental, cross-cultural, innate. It hits us on a gut level. On the other hand, it can somehow seem so surprising and improbable, the way people through the ages have continually come together to make and share music in all of its evolving forms.
Also, music just makes me feel good. 



FAVORITES:
Band (current, all time or both): Pixies (the only band represented on my body via tattoo) (so far)
Album (current, all time or both): Part of me wants to say, "I truly don't have one favorite album, it's more like a 30-way tie for first place." But another, more expedient part of me will just say, Mass Romantic by The New Pornographers.
Race venue: The Boston Marathon
Music venue: With maybe two or three exceptions, I haven't been to a live show in... Holy cow, like, 10 years. Maybe more. But I covered entertainment for men's magazines in NYC, circa 1999-2005, and used to go to tons of shows. My favorite venue there was probably the Mercury Lounge, a tiny place on the Lower East Side. (I just Googled it, and was happy to see it's still around.)
Race distance: Half-marathon
Show you've seen live: Arcade Fire, Bowery Ballroom, New York City, circa 2004
Ice cream flavor: Oregon Dark Cherry, by an Oregon company called Tillamook




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





MORE MUSIC INFO:
Which band or artist would you go see tonight if you could? Neko Case
Which band or artist (wait...but no longer alive or playing together) would you go see tonight if you could? Velocity Girl, opening for ELO
Which band or artist would you like to have dinner with tonight if you could? David Byrne
Which band or artist would you like to be playing alongside you during your next race (or long run)? Foo Fighters

The Pixies, disbanded in 1993 & reunited in 2004


LAST ONE:
Today, I feel like ... (fill in the blank):
I can see clearly now. (The rain is gone.)  


Top 5 Songs for running, dancing or both?
First, a note:
I don't really "dance," per se. And I never ever run with music. Unless it's on a treadmill.*
* I never ever run on a treadmill.
1. Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
2. The Rat - The Walkmen
3. Rock Lobster - The B-52's
4. Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
5. 1 2 3 4 - Feist (My wife and I used to dance to this with our kids, in the kitchen.)

Last 5 Songs you listened to today?
1. Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads
2. Houses in Motion -Talking Heads
3. Seen and Not Seen - Talking Heads
4. Listening Wind - Talking Heads
5. The Overload - Talking Heads
(Boring, yes. I'm listening to the album.)



Listen to this:
Hear Me Out - Pixies

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