Besides Jay Survil’s infectious personality and love for running, he’s one of the fastest Grand Masters in Colorado.
As a Runners Roost Elite Athlete for the past three years, Jay has been dominating his age group and overall competition in general. Possibly the most noteworthy is the emphasis he puts in his PR’s – exemplifying the fact that while he’s still standing on roughly 25 age group podiums a year, Jay’s goal is to personally improve as a runner and achieve his goals.
Read on to find out more about this Colorado native and true running addict that lets you in on his secrets to success (think steak and chocolate milk)!
Quick Stats
Name: Jay Survil
Age: 53
Hometown & Current: Colorado Springs (have been in Denver Metro since college), Aurora
Professional & Educational background: Over 30 years in IT field since college – CSU ‘81 Business Major
Sports participated in: Was never a runner in HS or college! Now running/racing 5K to marathon, skiing, mtn biking, shooting too
Years in current sport: runner for 30 years but a running addict for last 15 or so years
Racing Team: Runners Roost Elite Run Team – 3rd year
Sponsors/Affiliations: Runners Roost, Nike, Native, Honey Stinger
Support System: Married to wonderful wife Tamara for 30+ years with 2 awesome daughters – Rachel 23, and Taylor 18, who ran Cross Country and Track for Smoky Hill.
The Long Run
What are some of the biggest highlights in your racing career?
Had a breakthrough 2010 (as 51 year old in 50-54 AG), I PR’ed in all distances – 5K, 7K, 5M, 10K, 10M, Half Mar except Full Mar – for year did 32 events, 28 AG podiums and 25 AG 1st’s. But my biggest racing highlight was in 2011 when I had my best 30 days ever, I PR’ed Full Mar at Boston (3:01) then 2 weeks later PR’ed Half Mar at CO Half (1:22) 11th O/1st Grand Master and 2 weeks later PR’ed Full Mar at Colfax (2:59) 13th O/1st AG – 2 fulls/1 half in 30 days. For 2011 – 28 events, 25 AG podiums and 20 AG 1st’s.
What are your long-term goals?
What do you want to achieve as an athlete? Continue to stay healthy and compete at a very high level in my age group. My marathon goal is to break 2:50. I’d love to be able to set the state record for my age group some day for any distance I compete in.
Why Colorado? What makes Colorado so special for endurance athletes? What makes Colorado special to YOU?
I’ve lived here most of my life and love it. I travel all over the US for work on a regular basis and Colorado is by far the best place for runners – especially for Masters runners where we have a very active and competitive Masters community. It feels great to live and train at altitude then really be able to hammer it when I get to sea level!
Middle Distance
Take us through a “day in the life,” what type of training regimen do you follow?
My plan is simple – never stop running, ever. I maintain 55-60 miles per week year round and go up to 75 miles per week during marathon build-ups – once went 22 months without a day off (3 miles minimum every day) but now take off 1-2 days per month because everyone said I was crazy for not taking any time off. Every week has speed, tempo and LSD runs.
What are one or two things you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?
Follow hard day/easy principle
Do you follow any specific nutrition plans? What are you favorite recovery meals, drinks, etc.?
Secret weapon – steak!
Do you have any recommended resources to share (books, seminars, websites, coaches)?
Been a member of Phidippides Track Club for 9 years – best way to get faster is to run with others who want to do the same.
What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Easy, the marathon distance – it’s always my biggest challenge because it’s the great equalizer – you don’t really know what your body is going to do after 21-22 miles – at least I don’t yet. I just continue to train hard and hope that one day full marathons get as routine as half marathons are now for me.
What are your favorite races in Colorado?
Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half, biggest half in the state and everyone’s there – have done it for 14 consecutive years. In 2010 my daughter, Taylor then 16, ran her 1st half marathon ever there and went AG podium, we both won the coveted gold pans that day – I was one super proud dad. Other favorites and why are CO Half – super fast course, BB10K – just a huge spectacle and the Pikes Peak Ascent – a monster, every year for the last 9 years for me.
Where do you like to train in Colorado?
Mostly on the trails and roads at Cherry Creek State Park, because I live nearby.
Sprints
Favorite running shoe: Nike Zoom Vomero is my current favorite trainer
Favorite post-run/race beverage: Chocolate milk
Favorite post-run/race meal: did I say Steak!!
Role models: Dean Karnazes, Micah True (RIP)
Day job: I’m a professional geek – Senior Manager/IT Architect for Capgemini
Solo runner, running partner or team/group? All of the above – solo for typical daily runs, groups for weekly runs like Phidippides track workouts, Runners Roost Run Club runs and Runners Edge runs.
Favorite Restaurant: any place that serves steak – Del Frisco’s, Morton’s and Texas De Brazil for a serious meatfest!
Favorite Coffee Shop: don’t usually hit coffee shops, it’s over-priced
Favorite Bar: don’t drink
Favorite Running Store: Runners Roost of course! The premier brand in running and multi-sport in Colorado.
Favorite non-running activity: Shooting – trap, super fun with my 12 guage and target, with my handguns
Favorite TV Show: Used to be 24, but now Person of Interest
Favorite book: Born to Run
Favorite movie: 300 – this is Sparta!
Podium
Have you experienced a breakthrough, and if so, what led to it?
Yes – see 2011 above. Having PR’d every distance in 2010 except marathon I was disappointed, so my singular goal was a marathon PR at Boston in 2011 which I got but then beat it for another PR at Colfax a month later.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Still waiting for that…
Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by?
This is Sparta! That you train by? “Learn to run when feeling the pain, then push harder” –William Sigei
What keeps you motivated? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
The many super fast Masters and Grand Masters men and women that I run and compete with here in Colorado constantly amaze and inspire me with their outstanding performances – I hope to be able to just come close to some of them. It’s cool being known as one of the many fast “old dudes” in the Colorado running community.