The Pacesetter Games provide an evening of fun and games for the Pacesetter companies. The games serve as a fun, competitive, and enthusiastic kickoff to the Pacesetter Campaign for United Way. This year, Legal Aid has a team of staff participating who would LOVE your support.
Games are being held Thursday, June 25, 2009, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at:
The Oklahoman
9000 N. Broadway
OKC, OK 73114
Sometimes people don’t necessarily think they have a talent for something until life comes calling and the talent finds them. This is the case for Oklahoma City Legal Aid staff attorney Karl Rysted.
It was 2002 when Karl ran his first marathon, the Baltimore Comcast Marathon. He was running to honor the child of a family friend who had just been lost to cancer. Karl trained and ran the marathon wearing the kid's picture in a button as a reminder to proceed onward when he felt like giving up.
Since that first marathon, Karl has become a sponsored runner who has participated in 20 marathons and 1 ultra marathon. An ultra marathon involves running longer than the traditional marathon length of 26.21 miles.
His most recent marathon was May 3, in Eugene, Oregon, where he set a 12-minute personal record. He has received 3rd place for his age group in two separate races, which has resulted in a sponsorship from Brooks Running. Most definitely nothing to sneeze at.
If you are like me, you only dream of being fit enough to run anywhere near that distance. If it’s any consolation, Karl wasn’t into fitness at all before he ran that first marathon. According to Karl, his idea of a workout before was “taking the dog on a walk around the block.”
It was after that first marathon that Karl just sort of became addicted to training for the marathons and competing. He has a buddy he trains with, which Karl says helps in keeping him motivated. Karl maintains his health by running five days a week in the evenings or on the weekends and takes two days off. Usually, he ends up running between 40-50 miles per week. In addition, Karl has recently started doing yoga to improve his flexibility.
Now, I wanted to know Karl’s secret. Being a working husband and father, I’m sure Karl’s schedule could easily fill up. So, I had to ask him just how he stays motivated and manages to find time when things get hectic.
“It’s just routine,” he said, “if I went for a period of time without running every day, I wouldn’t feel right.” In turn, the exercise and staying physically active has caused his body to crave whole, fresh foods such as vegetables and seafood.
Karl’s next marathon is coming up this October. In the meantime, he enjoys working out with his family at the YMCA. As it turns out, Karl’s 13 year-old son is a “natural runner” himself; however, his strength is speed whereas Karl’s strength comes in long distance running.
At 47, Karl is proof that simply because your age goes up, doesn’t mean you can’t be twice as active as you ever were. It’s never too late to start up a new hobby or set a new goal. He has certainly raised the bar for himself and gone above and beyond what, I'm sure, even he expected. I must say that I was impressed by his passion for running and the certificates and awards in his office spoke for themselves.
After we go to Oscar's GastroPub (Thursday, June 11th) next week, let's all roll down to Joe Momma's for Trivial Pursuit!
Scott says it's great fun and the food is good.
A percentage of the proceeds from food and drink on June 11th will go to the Mental Health Association in Tulsa.
