Todd Straka is a machine. The 46-year old father of two seems to always be on the go: from his nine to five job as a web designer and squeezing in mid-day training runs, to dabbling in music, snapping photos and writing a few words on the BoulderRunning website, this top Colorado runner can consistently be found grabbing podium spots at races across the state.
Straka, part of the Runners Roost Road Running Team, is a seasoned veteran with over 25 years of running experience under his belt. Read on to find out how this top masters runner continues to set PR’s and surprise even himself with his performance.
Quick Stats
Name: Todd Straka
Age: 46
Hometown & Current: Santa Barbara, CA – Boulder, CO
Professional & Educational background: Web designer, Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design from Cal Poly SLO
Sports participated in: Mostly running, dabbled in triathlon for a few years in the 90’s
Years in current sport: 25
Racing Team: Runners Roost Racing Team
Sponsors/Affiliations: Nike Running, Honey Stinger, RecoFit Compression Gear, Localeikki.com Ambassador
The Long Run
What are some of the biggest highlights in your racing career?
US Cross Country Champs 2011 – Top 20 finish, I ran a smart race and had a great time with teammates in San Diego.
Twin Cities Marathon 2012 – I had a breakthrough race, a PR of 8 minutes with a negative split despite the last 6 miles being uphill.
5k in hometown last summer – It was a small race but I crossed the line first. What was special about it was that my Dad, who had a stroke a few years back, was there to watch. I didn’t run track as a kid or really compete in sports. I’ve only had the opportunity to win a race a few times, he was beaming more than I was. It was a special moment.
What are your long-term goals? What do you want to achieve as an athlete?
Long term, to just be able to keep running and enjoy the freedom it offers. As an athlete I feel that even as a master’s runner, I may still have few good years of improving which means that I hope to knock down a few more PR’s this season.
Why Colorado? What makes Colorado so special for endurance athletes? What makes Colorado special to YOU?
My wife and I moved to CO after college from a town that was very similar to Boulder. It was a natural fit right away. For myself as well as endurance athletes there is so much variety here. I have my favorite trails, but I rarely run the same route ever. I didn’t know much about the history of the sport of running before moving here, but since I’ve been here there is so much history all around us. It’s humbling and inspiring. Even within the last few years, there is so much opportunity for runners of all levels here now between all the training groups that have developed.
Middle Distance
Take us through a “day in the life,” what type of training regimen do you follow?
I usually run at lunch time for a few reasons: I get an extra hour of sleep in the morning, by noon the sun is usually out, plus it’s hard for me to sit too long at my desk for too long so and it gives me a chance to recharge the mental batteries. Nights I may get in some foam rolling, light stretching and some core. But admittedly, I need to be better about it all. Especially the stretching.
What are one or two things you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?
Right now, its taking the easy days really easy and cross training one or two days a week. Over the past several years I have been getting injured a lot in the early season, so I really wanted to focus on at least being healthy this year.
Do you follow any specific nutrition plans?
Not currently I just try and eat whole foods when possible but I have a soft spot for almost anything sweet. I need to eat a lot more veggies.
What are you favorite recovery meals, drinks, etc.?
A Honey Stinger peanut protein bar goes down pretty nicely after a run. Sometimes its Almond butter toast with bananas and honey.
Do you have any recommended resources to share (books, seminars, websites, coaches)?
James Carney and Benita Willis (Working Class Athletics) have really helped me in my recent success. Books I like to read in regards to training are Way of the Champion by Jerry Lynch, Running with the Mind of Meditation — Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. CoachJayJohnson.com is also a great web resource.
What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Going to a race to race. I’ve raced for so many years just running within my own ability, but I am at a point now where I find myself in the race, and I need to be better about committing to going when it starts to break.
What are your favorite races in Colorado? Why?
The Bolder Boulder, Boulder’s Downtown series, the Cherry Creek Sneak. I tend to like the bigger races in general as there are a lot of people to race with and the energy is really high.
Where do you like to train in Colorado?
Basically any and all of the trails of the front range, and if I can I like to get up to the Magnolia Road area and Switzerland trail from time to time.
Why?
Running on the front range trails is never boring, its super convenient to my home and where I work downtown and you are never disappointed with the variety or scenery. Mags and Switzerland offer an opportunity to train a bit higher and cooler in the summertime.
Sprints
Favorite running shoe: I train in a variety of shoes to keep it fresh and I don’t have that one perfect trainer, but I do love my Nike LunarSpider Racer flats as they make me feel fast.
Favorite post-run/race beverage: Skratch Labs Pineapple
Favorite post-run/race meal: Chipotle Chicken Burrito
Day job: Sitting in front of a computer as a UX and Web designer for Finishline.com
Solo runner, running partner or team/group? Most of my runs are solo due to scheduling/ convenience, but cherish the times I get to run with others
Favorite Restaurant: Noodles and Co
Favorite Coffee Shop: Ozo
Favorite Running Store: Runners Roost
Favorite non-running activity: Hanging out with the family
Favorite TV Show: Survivor
Favorite book: Running with the Legends – Mike Sandrock (ugh so one dimensional)
Podium
Have you experienced a breakthrough, and if so, what led to it?
2012 was a breakthrough year for me. I PRd in everything from the mile to the marathon. Being healthy was the first key, it was also the first year I worked with Carney. We set up a plan that focused on the 5 and 10k for the first part of the summer, then picked a marathon for October. There wasn’t anything revolutionary about the specific training, but just the way he put it all together through the season.
Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by? That you train by?
“Discomfort brings growth.” It applies to both, not sure I always embrace it but I keep coming back to it.
What keeps you motivated? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Right now, the fact that I am still improving my times keeps me pretty excited for training hard. Being competitive in races vs just running against myself or the clock has also been motivating.