Meet the Athlete: Mark Abrams
Name: Mark Abrams
Age: 24
Hometown: Glenwood, IA
Current residence: Omaha, NE
Occupation/Degree you are working towards: Personal Trainer at Genesis Health Clubs
High School: Glenwood Community High School
College (major/minor): Morningside College Major: Biology Minor: Philosophy
NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine): CPT- Certified Personal Trainer
What is your running background?: I have been running since my freshmen year in high school. Running to me is not just about how fast I can run, but what can I learn from running.
Team State Champions in track 2011. 7-time National qualifier for the NAIA. 6-time GPAC Champion (4 Individual, 2 Team XC), Morningside 10k School Record Holder
Favorite distance to run? 5k or 10k
What are your future running goals? Goals change year to year, season to season. But ultimately my goals are simply put, get better each day.
Time Goals for 2019: 5k- 14:40s 10k-30:30s
I can’t run without…?
Do you do anything to stay injury free? Strength training and stretching
Do you have a favorite running book/podcast/movie/athlete?
Book→ Born to Run
Podcast→ CITIUS MAG
Movie→ Pre
Athlete→ Mo Farah
What is your favorite race you have competed in the past? 2014 Outdoor GPAC
What is your number one bucket list race you would like to do in the future? London Marathon
Do you have any advice to other runners? Take it one day at time, one race at a time. No matter what there will be bad days, but its what we do on those bad days that makes us better.
What are your PRs?
1500-4:04
3k-8:49
5k-14:57
8k- 25:09
10k-31:16
How long have you been an LRC-Nebraska member? 5 months
What excites you the most about being an LRC-Nebraska athlete? The opportunities and the friendships
What does a typical training week look like for you? Walk us through your daily routine (training related and otherwise): Monday-Sunday: One interval workout (usually), a tempo run, and a long run. The rest are usually easy miles. Hit the gym once a week for strength training. 50-75 miles a week (depends on the season)
We all approach training and racing differently, so tell us what your short-term and long-term goals are with running: Short-term goals: I want to push myself to see how far I can push my limits. Long-term: I want to spread the gift of running to as many people as I can. Show them that its not just for the pros but its for all different talent levels.
Where are your 3 favorite places to do long runs at the moment? Wabash, Lake Manawa, (I need more places to do long runs)
After a solid race or long run, what is your favorite meal to demolish and replenish those calories? Please use details and give recommendations!
Don’t let my clients read this but Burger King for sure. A big Whopper with cheese, and large fries. Then I usually look through the menu and pick another burger or sandwich to get as well. I don’t hold back at all. Then sometimes I will grab a shake from Sonic.
Share a crazy training or racing story, or simply an interesting moment in time: Freshmen year in college. It was outdoor GPAC 5k at Concordia. Morningside had a shot to get 3rd place, we just need a performance from our 5k runners. With about 1200m left, I felt a fart coming. Didn’t think twice about it….I should of. I sharted myself. But ran a PR. Note we did not get 3rd place that year.
What book are you currently reading or TV show are you binge watching? Always the Office, but the Netflix show called Zoo.
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? Saying this just because of the title fits. Young, Dumb, and Broke
