Name: Ray Charbonneau
Age: 43
Residence: Arlington, MA
Birthplace: Springfield, MA
Education:
HS: Spaulding HS, Barre VT
College: RPI, BU, Framingham St.
Graduate: Nope, haven't, and probably won't.
Occupation: "Lead, Information Systems Engineer" — something to do with computers
Marital status: not any more
Children status: no
How long have you been running?
It's been 12 years since I picked up running again after a post-school hiatus.
What made you decide to begin running? My weight got up to about 165, and I didn't like that.
I got back down to under 140 via diet and light exercise. Then, I wanted to do something more
fun than the exercise bike to maintain my weight, something that could also involve some
competition. And I wanted to eat again. Running was something I'd enjoyed before, and
something where I could work or compete as hard (or easy) as I wanted. You get to keep
all the lists and charts that you could ever want. And as you get older, it gets
harder to get a bunch of people together to play baseball or frisbee.
Did you run competitively in high school? Well, I was on the track team... 440, 220,
mile relay, and high jump. I was a terrible high jumper.
Did you run competitively in college? No
Total number races: 2005 Derry makes 134 races (not counting Thursday at Khoury's)
Favorite race (and why): Boston Marathon, because on a good day, with all the people
cheering as you race in, I get to fulfill childhood dreams of competing in a world-class event.
Favorite race distance: After 50 miles, you're sure you've achieved something...
Favorite runner: I don't know. I'm not much of a fan. Frank Shorter's Olympic marathons
got me interested way back when. I had a Bill Rodgers jacket in college that I was fond of.
Favorite running shoe: Mizuno Wave Riders
Best running memory: This might be the hardest question so far. If we didn't enjoy
running, we wouldn't keep doing it. If I had to pick one, it'd be qualifying for
Boston at Hartford 2001. It was something I had tried to do for years, and everything
finally fell into place. But there have been lots of other things, along the way
and afterwards, that have also been rewarding. Your basic good 10 mile run, on
a crisp, sunny day, when your legs feel fresh and you're in shape to go 20 or more if you have to,
is tough to beat.
Worst running memory: No, this is the hardest question. Can't think of a one.
At worst, a really bad day still makes for a good story.
Running PR's (when and where):
Khourys: 26:46 at the '96 Steamer, or 27-something on Thursdays
5K: 18:49 (8/02 American Canyon, CA)
10K: 41:44 (6/04 Whirlaway 10K, Methuen, MA)
15K: 1:07:14 (5/01 Champlain Classic, Shelburne, VT)
30K: 2:28:28 (9/01 East Coast Fall Marathon Tune-up, Lynn)
50K: 4:46:17 (3/19/05 HAT Run, Aberdeen, MD)
4 mile: 26:30 (6/01 Powderhouse Pub, Somerville)
5 mile: 32:41 (9/95 Doc Linskey, Cambridge)
10 mile: 1:09:59 (7/96 Yankee Homecoming Race)
Half-marathon: 1:31:15 (3/03 Law Enforcement, Wakefield)
20 mile: 20 mile: 2:21:32 (2/04 Martha's Vineyard)
Marathon: 3:13:28 (10/02 Cape Cod)
50 mile: 9:49:15 (4/9/05 Bull Run Run, Clifton, VA)
100 mile: 27:29:24 (7/17//04 Vermont 100, Woodstock, VT)
Favorite sport other than running: baseball
Favorite author: Robert Heinlein
Favorite book: too hard to pick one
Favorite actor/actress: never really had one
Favorite TV show: off
Favorite movie: Field of Dreams, I guess
Favorite musician: Gang of Four used to put on the best show.
Favorite song: way too hard to pick one
Favorite politician: Rep. Bernie Sanders (Soc. VT) harmless, and at least some fun.
Or maybe some dead guy.
Favorite cereal: Cocoa Krispies or Multi-Bran Chex (I feel so virtuous!)
Favorite food: lobster
Favorite ice cream: vanilla (yes)
Favorite cocktail: beer
Fill in the blank: I like it when all the work comes together and something
(a race, a project at work...) is finshed, and finished well.
I hate it when I'm sitting at work, it's a day just like the last 20 or
so, and I could be outside doing something fun.
Favorite quotes:
"Gotta get away from this day to day running around, everybody knows
this is nowhere." — Neil Young
Philosophy: I had one once, even spoke about it for posterity on a video. But the audio wasn't set up properly on the recording, and I've forgotten what it was I said.
Other: Visit www.y42k.com
Quit worrying about PRs — run more trails!