Featured Runner “Mike Coutu” February 2019

February 6th, 2019 Tags: amazing, badassery, Being Epic, Featured Runners, motivation, perseverance, ultrarunning, unstoppable, why
Posted in Announcements, Featured Runners, Funny, Inspirational, Motivational, Personal Philosophies, Preferences & Opinions, Tips, Training

Mike Coutu (in his own words): I’m the kind of guy who believes life is too short to waste time doing anything that doesn’t make you happy. If you want something, figure out how you are going to make it happen and execute. Don’t take “no” or “you can’t” for an answer. Take risks. Take BIG risks because sometimes they will pay off in ways that you can’t possibly imagine! Don’t always play it safe. I always remember to have fun and make the most out of any situation. Run without a watch some days. Run just because you love to run! And ALWAYS drink a cold beer whenever you get the chance! My favorite following quote from Duane Allman sums me up best. “I love being alive and I will be the best man I possibly can. I will take love wherever I find it and offer it to everyone who will take it. . . seek knowledge from those wiser and teach those who wish to learn from me.”

THE BASICS

Date of Birth: 6/21/1987

Place of Birth: Salisbury, MD

Currently Residing:  Lipan, TX

Marital Status: In a relationship.

Job(s): Head Brewer at Martin House Brewing Company.

Children: None

Height: 5’11’’

Weight: 165

Shoe Size: 11

Best Physical Feature: My luscious long hair.

Worst Physical Feature: Missing big toenails.

Religion: Spiritual

Political Affiliation: None

Educational Background:  School of Hard Knocks.

Personal Strength(s): I make the most out of any situation. I am loyal and I’ll never quit.

Personal Weakness(es): Sometimes I can be very impatient.

Make Of Car You Drive: Dodge Caravan SXT

Make Of Car You Would Like To Drive: 1955 Ford F100

Pets: Two dogs.

FAVORITES

Favorite Author: David Goggins

Favorite Book: Can’t Hurt Me

Favorite Non-running Magazine: Backpacker

Favorite Movie: John Wick

Favorite TV Show: The Office

Favorite Actor/Actress: Will Ferrell

Favorite Music: Rock, Rap, Country…I love all music.

Favorite Musical Performer: Dave Matthews Band

Favorite Artist: Takashi Murakami

Favorite Spectator Sport: Football

Favorite Subject in School: Physics

Favorite Game: GoldenEye 007 on N64

Favorite Vacation Destination: The Keys

Favorite Time Of Day: Sunset

Favorite Item Of Clothing: EPIC Ultras t-shirt

Favorite Non-Running Leisure Activity: Hiking

Favorite Running Shoe: Brooks Caldera, Altra Timp.

Favorite Food/Drink Before An Ultra: Tacos, Chips & Salsa, Water.

Favorite Food/Drink During An Ultra: PB&J, Clif Bloks, Avocado Tacos, Water, NUUN.

Favorite Food/Drink After An Ultra: Beer

Favorite Crew/Pacer Person(s): Agustin “TacoMaster” Negrete

Favorite Place To Run: Stars Above Ranch

Favorite Type Of Running Surface: All

Favorite Famous Quote: Be true to whoever or whatever you are and wear it like a badge of honor. Fit in with one person and one person only: yourself. – David Goggins

ULTRA STUFF

Number of Years Running Ultras: 3.5

Number of Ultras Finished:  13

Best Ultra Performance(s): 2018 Heartland 100 Mile, 22:26:55.

Mike at pre-race / Rails-to-Trails Fall Extravaganza 100 Mile – 2018

Most Memorable Ultra: 2018 Badwater Salton Sea

Typical Training Week(s) Before A Major Race: During the week of the race I am visualizing my finish, hydrating, resting and I usually do a shakeout run two days before the race.

Injuries: They come and go.

Ultrarunning Idol: Marshall Ulrich

Why Do You Run Ultras:  I run ultras to test my limits, to see how far I can push myself, and because I love the unknown.

Advice For Other Ultrarunners: Have fun and remember that when it gets hard and you are feeling like shit, it will always get better.

ACHIEVEMENTS / GOALS / MEMORIES

Personal Hero: My Dad.

Personal Philosophy:  Coutu’s don’t quit.

Short-Term Goal: Complete the Badwater Ultra Cup!

Long-Term Goal: Solo run the Badwater 146, then turnaround and run back to Badwater Basin.

Most Prized Possession: My tattoos.

Most Proud Achievement: Running two sub-24 100 milers 14 days apart.

Happiest Memory: Any memory where I am drinking a beer with my Dad.

Secret Ambition/Fantasy: To be able to run for a living.

Greatest Adventure:  Life!

DISLIKES / FEARS

Least Liked Subject: Politics

Least Liked Household Chore: Dishes

Pet Peeve(s): Unsupervised kids at the grocery store.

Greatest Fear: Not being able to run.

SPARE TIME

Book Currently Reading: North by Scott Jurek.

Hobbies: Guitar, Brewing.

Collections: Records

What’s Next: The sky is the limit!

Words cannot come close to describing what is going on here…”ultra magic” perhaps?
Mike & Dave Meeth at Badwater Salton Sea – 2018