Meet the Athlete: John Cleary
Name: John Cleary
Age: 21
Hometown: Omaha
Current residence: Omaha
Occupation/Degree you are working towards: working towards an elementary education degree
High School: Burke High School
College (major/minor): University of Nebraska at Omaha (elementary education)
What is your running background? Started running with cross country in track in middle school because I thought the coach was cute. Things didn’t work out but was already too far in so here I am still running.
Favorite distance to run? Marathon
What are your future running goals? Run a marathon as fast as my genetics will allow
I can’t run without…? Coffee
Do you do anything to stay injury free? Try to consume enough calories
Do you have a favorite running book/podcast/movie/athlete? “Train all day, Joe Rogan podcast by night!” (obviously not a running podcast but damn if it isn’t interesting)
What is your favorite race you have competed in the past? 2018 Grandma’s Marathon…beautiful course, perfect weather, and ran way faster than I thought possible.
What is your number one bucket list race you would like to do in the future? Dubai Marathon
Do you have any advice to other runners? Half tights all winter…let those calves/shins enjoy the cold!
What are your PRs? Full: 2:39:01/Half: 1:11:12
How long have you been an LRC-Nebraska member? 4 months
What excites you the most about being an LRC-Nebraska athlete? Having fellow teammates and training partners that inspire me to pursue this crazy sport.
What does a typical training week look like for you? Walk us through your daily routine (training related and otherwise): I’m currently building towards the Boston Marathon this Spring, so am trying to get in as many miles as possible. During this coming semester, that will take the form of doubles nearly every day (in the morning before class and at night after work) with a mind numbing long run on the weekends.
We all approach training and racing differently, so tell us what your short-term and long-term goals are with running: Short term is to stay healthy in my marathon buildup this Spring and long-term is to run a marathon fast enough to both deserve my mother’s love and get my father to say he’s proud of me.
Where are your 3 favorite places to do long runs at the moment? I love both the West Papio and Big Papio trails simply for the lack of hills and a preference for pavement, but my absolute favorite place to hammer a long run is anywhere I don’t have to do it solo.
After a solid race or long run, what is your favorite meal to demolish and replenish those calories? Please use details and give recommendations! Oatmeal. 1 cup of oatmeal and 2 cups of water. 3 minutes in the microwave. While the oat is mealing, get on the ground and crank out a solid 5-7 pushups. Get up off the ground, let out the most primal scream possible and rip off your shirt and admire your pump in the reflection of the microwave. Top with cinnamon and fruit of your choice. Repeat 7-10 times (not just long runs) per week and you’ll be able to step on stage at any bodybuilding contest and stack some cash to pay for race entry fees, running shoes, etc.
Share a crazy training or racing story, or simply an interesting moment in time: During high school myself and my teammates would tend to cross intersections carelessly and I’ve been hit by a few cars in my day.
What book are you currently reading or TV show are you binge watching? Currently reading through the Lord of the Rings trilogy and am on The Two Towers.
You’re the star of a running movie, and the opening scene is you running on a winding dirt road, with a beautiful sunrise. What song is playing in the background? Tunnel Vision by Kodak Black.
