Hello! I am not feeling 100% just yet, but my fam says my 70% is like a normal person’s 100 so it probably evens out 
I am considering going for a run to help get some normalcy but that’s still up for debate. Updated: Ran 2 miles, walked back 2. My stomach started to hurt again.
Okay, time to Run Happy with Jerod…
As part of my partnership with Brooks I had the opportunity to talk to one of their Brooks ID team members Jerod Hontrath. He is a Dallas police detective who has completed 54 Marathons and 9 Ultra Marathons around the world.
Runners love talking about running so I was super excited to pick his brain. I mean, that is an amazing number of races! He knows his stuff!
RER: How long have you been running? How did you get started?
Hontrath: Well let’s see, I have been running heavily since 1998 when I started the Dallas Police Academy. I was always a occasional runner, 3 days a week between 8-12miles during my College Hockey playing days. Upon starting the Dallas Police Academy, I increased my days running to 5 per week at a total of 20-25miles per week which over the years has increased immensely!!
RER: Why/how did you decide to run your first marathon?
Hontrath: I decided to run my first Marathon which was the 2002 Chicago Marathon months after completing my first Half Marathon in 2000. My running inspiration was actually my first Patrol Sgt with the Dallas Police Dept, Mr. Curtis Goodwin. He met me for runs every week and trained me on a weekly basis with my long runs and actually ran with me step by step at the Chicago Marathon as we finished crossing the line together.
To this day, we are still VERY close friends and have traveled and run places all over. He is retired now and is one of my first text messages that I send upon completion of a race.
RER: Which race is your favorite? Why?
Hontrath: My favorite race was the Whistlestop Marathon in Ashland, WI. It is run in October and the course is run on a dirt, gravel surface. The course is very flat and fast and the organization is impeccable!! It is somewhat of a small marathon with an amazing hometown feeling. The scenery and course are not worth missing… A MUST DO for every marathoner runner!!
RER: Which course is the easiest, why?
Hontrath: The easiest course is the Houston Marathon. The course is so so flat and most of the hotels are extremely close to the start/finish, and expo.
RER: Which race is on your “Must Do” List??
Hontrath: Must do marathon is easy, every goal of a marathoner that has been doing it awhile is: Boston Marathon!! If one is unable to qualify though, my second choice would be the NYC Marathon. Running through all the Burroughs and the crowd/course support are memories I will never forget.
RER: Any tips for traveling to race to share?
Hontrath: Traveling tips include finding a hotel that is very close to the start/finish line. Also have a plan of attack for a dinner place the night before the race, see if a reservation can be accepted. Lastly, look at what fluids are going to be provided at the marathon aid stations and try to incorporate them a month leading up to the race to get the body acclimated. I have seen some very interesting fluid options throughout my travels to say the least, whew!!!
Question: Do you have a beverage within arms reach right now?
I have water and iced coffee. Need to rehydrate!
Water!
Water but I wish it was a Corona!
Cool interview! Thanks for sharing. Get well soon and keep hydrating! I have/had a huge glass of water next to me….my new kitten just knocked the entire thing over. Seriously….the moment I read your question….
holy crap 54 marathons?! That’s awesome!
I just found out Peets has a summer line of coconut drinks so i ran across the street and am now drinking a coconut mint something and its great
WOW!!! He’s awesome! 54 Marathons and 9 Ultra Marathons!
Hope you feel better!!
I’ve got… water. Lame.
Water & Iced Coffee to my left of the keyboard.
I met a fellow Run, Eat, Repeat reader at the Portland RNR Expo last weekend. You are bringing runners together everywhere 🙂
Very cool!!! That makes me happy 🙂
I have a big mug of coffee in my hand. It’s the only way I start the mornings 🙂
Hot tea, more hot tea and a side of hot tea when I’m done!
Some lame cold virus has settled deeply into my throat and I can’t shake it–no voice. Moms without a voice cannot ROAR! 😐
Hope you’re feeling better real soon!
A big glass of water!
Skinny Runner’s almost got him beat in the mary department! 🙂
Thanks for sharing the interview! Even for the girl who has never run a marathon (only a 1/2), I seem to have the goal to make it to the Boston Marathon SOMEDAY in my lifetime, maybe, if I’m lucky! 🙂
Water! *drinks some*
Awesome interview!
54 marathons, 9 ultra… amaze balls indeed!
Chocolate milk. Just finished a run. Great interview!
The Whistlestop Marathon has come up on many of my marathon searches since I live in Wisconsin. That’s cool it made his list. I have my giant half gallon water bottle next to me. I carry that thing with me everywhere like it is my child.
I enjoyed reading the interview 🙂
I had a green smoothie, but now that’s gone, I have a liter of water.
Very cool Q & A. Thanks
I hope you are feeling better by the time you read this. I am embarrassed to say I have the remains of my morning diet coke sitting on my desk at work. I have one most mornings. Not the healthiest, but hey…
I’m not here to judge 🙂
I would be interested to hear about the other ultra’s he has done.
Coffee. I am diving into overnight oats in a few.
The Kidless Kronicles
Me too! I interviewed him before I did my ultra and didn’t think to probe on those races. Fail.
I have water at arms length but I just finished some Advocare Watermelon Spark!
Great post today. It’s always nice to know what other runner’s think about.