Featured Runner “Eric Shebesta” December 2016

December 1st, 2016 Tags: amazing, badassery, Being Epic, Featured Runners, motivation, perseverance, ultrarunning, unstoppable, why
Posted in Featured Runners, Inspirational, Motivational, Personal Philosophies, Preferences & Opinions

Eric Shebesta (in his own words): I’m just an average guy. I grew up in Colorado and relocated to Missouri in 2001. I’ve been married to my wife, Lori for 23 years.  Ever since I was a kid I was always in awe of endurance sports, such as the Tour de France, Ironman, etc. Although I never followed these sports, I quit smoking about 10 years ago and wanted to improve my fitness. I began running a little bit and decided I wanted to run a marathon. While training for that, I began to enjoy running more. After completing a couple of marathons, I began running trails. I had no idea where one would find trail races. I came across a Featured Athlete article in Hammer Nutrition’s newsletter, that athlete was Eric Steele. It mentioned his FlatRock race. I sent Eric an email, and he sent me an invitation to FlatRock. After emailing Eric a couple of times with questions, he was kind enough to call me and answer all of my questions about trail running and ultras. That was my introduction to ultras. My wife Lori soon picked up running as well, and now its’s something we can do together, entering events together and taking turns crewing each other.

THE BASICS

Date of Birth: November 11, 1966

Place of Birth: Denver, Colorado

Currently Residing:  Rogersville, Missouri

Marital Status: Married

Job(s): Cabinet maker/plant supervisor

Children: Two, Baillie and Michael

Height: 5’6”

Weight: 160 lbs.

Shoe Size: 9

Best Physical Feature: Eyes

Worst Physical Feature: Gut

Religion: Christian

Political Affiliation: Disappointed

Educational Background: High School

Personal Strength(s): Determination

Personal Weakness(es): Impatient

Make Of Car You Drive: Ford F-150

Make Of Car You Would Like To Drive: Ford F-150 newer model

Pets: 1 Miniature Pincher

FAVORITES

Favorite Author: Don’t have one

Favorite Book: Can’t pick just one

Favorite Non-running Magazine: Non-running, don’t have one

Favorite Movie: Have several, No Country for Old Men and Tombstone are a couple

Favorite TV Show: Modern Family

Favorite Actor/Actress: Robert De Niro

Favorite Music: Classic Rock

Favorite Musical Performer: several, U2, their old stuff(albums like The Joshua Tree and War) but don’t care for their new stuff

Favorite Time Of Day: Early morning

Favorite Item Of Clothing: Gym shorts

Favorite Non-Running Leisure Activity: Spending time with family

Favorite Running Shoe: Hoka Challanger

Favorite Food/Drink Before An Ultra: Lots of coffee, oatmeal, and bananas

Favorite Food/Drink During An Ultra: Fruit/tailwind

Favorite Food/Drink After An Ultra: Pizza

Favorite Crew/Pacer Person(s): My wife Lori and daughter Baillie

Favorite Place To Run: Busiek State Forest, Missouri and Hobbs State Park, Arkanasas

Favorite Type Of Running Surface: Dirt

Favorite Famous Quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!” –Wayne Gretzky

ULTRA STUFF

Number of Years Running Ultras: 3

Number of Ultras Finished:  9

Best Ultra Performance(s): Flatrock 50K, 2014

Most Memorable Ultra: My first Prairie Spirit 50 Mile, 2014

Typical Training Week(s) Before A Major Race: 4-5 runs/week, approximately 50 miles/week

Injuries: Stress Fracture and PF

Ultrarunning Idol: Anybody who struggles and digs deep to finish an ultra, you see great accomplishments all the time. If you really want to see resilient people, stick around towards the end of an ultra.

Why Do You Run Ultras:  Challenges, camaraderie, and the sense of accomplishment

Advice For Other Ultrarunners: Prepare to the best of your ability, do not compare your training to others and sell yourself short. It’s a journey filled with obstacles, difficulties, and a bit of suffering but remember to have fun.

ACHIEVEMENTS / GOALS / MEMORIES

Personal Hero: My daughter, Baillie

Personal Philosophy:  Never stop

Short-Term Goal: Stay injury free

Long-Term Goal: Again, stay injury free

Most Prized Possession: Too many to mention

Most Proud Achievement: Raising 2 wonderful kids

Happiest Memory: Welcoming my kids into this world

Secret Ambition/Fantasy: Pace Jim Walmsley at Western States 2017

Greatest Adventure:  Fox hunting in England

DISLIKES / FEARS

Least Liked Subject: Science

Least Liked Household Chore: Dishes

Pet Peeve(s): People talking with food in their mouth and the jackass that needs to take up 3 parking spaces with his truck

SPARE TIME

Book Currently Reading: Living with a Seal by Jesse Itzler

Collections: Race shirts

What’s next: Back 40 Trail Run Bella Vista, Arkansas

Eric, with his ultrarunning
wife, Lori, hot on his heels!