Featured Runner “Tom Rogers” October 2016
Posted in Featured Runners, Inspirational, Motivational, Personal Philosophies, Preferences & Opinions
Tom Rogers (in his own words): I am an ordinary 45 year old man whom serves an extraordinary God. I was introduced to running as a teen and was a very average cross country runner. As a young adult, I began my downward spiral of drug and alcohol abuse, eventually living in my car for a period of time. At age 37, I heard a voice from the heavens that announced my death within 24 hours and a last chance for life. I took the haunting, yet clear words and never looked back. I began trimming down my 250 lb. frame to run further and further. Today, I am 7 years sober and my life is ripe with the fruits of being conscious of the need to be obedient to God and living a purpose filled life. I am at the service of my fellow man to walk alongside them in hardship and struggle, because hardship and struggle is the pathway to peace.
THE BASICS
Date of Birth: August 31st, 1971
Place of Birth: Joplin, MO
Currently Residing: Joplin, MO
Marital Status: My best friend, Valerie Rogers
Job(s): President of Twelveone Race Management and Marketing, Founder at Anywhere.Run, and Managing Director of The Red Sea Fitness Team
Children: Olivia and Tyler Rogers (both driving now)
Height: 6’1
Weight: 200
Shoe Size: 12.5
Best Physical Feature: Calves
Worst Physical Feature: I’m hot everywhere
Religion: Indebted to Jesus Christ
Political Affiliation: Trump Train
Educational Background: College Dropout
Personal Strength(s): Discernment
Personal Weakness(es): Temperament
Make Of Car You Drive: 1995 GMC Sonoma
Make Of Car You Would Like To Drive: 1995 GMC Sonoma
Pets: Puck Rogers (like him on Facebook)
FAVORITES
Favorite Author: Brennan Manning
Favorite Book: The Message Bible
Favorite Non-running Magazine: The Big Nickel
Favorite Movie: A River Runs Through It
Favorite TV Show: House
Favorite Actor/Actress: Andy Griffith
Favorite Music: British/English Rock
Favorite Musical Performer: Keane
Favorite Artist: Bob Ross
Favorite Spectator Sport: Volleyball
Favorite Subject in School: History
Favorite Game: Hiding my wife’s sunglasses
Favorite Vacation Destination: Fort Walton Beach, FL
Favorite Time Of Day: Early AM
Favorite Item Of Clothing: Run shirt and gym shorts (my business suit)
Favorite Non-Running Leisure Activity: Work
Favorite Running Shoe: Hoka Bondi
Favorite Food/Drink Before An Ultra: Biscuit and gravy
Favorite Food/Drink During An Ultra: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
Favorite Food/Drink After An Ultra: Almost frozen Coke
Favorite Crew/Pacer Person(s): Not Brian Smith
Favorite Place To Run: Through violent neighborhoods
Favorite Type Of Running Surface: Technical trail
Favorite Famous Quote: God’s greatest victories arise from the graves of apparent defeat
ULTRA STUFF
Number of Years Running Ultras: 3
Number of Ultras Finished: 12
Best Ultra Performance(s): Prairie Spirit 50 miler chasing Michael Mora
Most Memorable Ultra: 2015 Flatrock 101K for many reasons
Typical Training Week(s) Before A Major Race: 50-60 miles in about my top end
Injuries: Been struggling mentally with training for most of 2016, but beginning to get the mind fresh again for the ultra-battles.
Ultrarunning Idol(s): Pete Kostelnick, Nathan Sicher, Iron Will Sprouse, Zach Adams, Eric Steele
Why Do You Run Ultras: It was better than drinking myself to death
Advice For Other Ultrarunners: Fear is only a word
ACHIEVEMENTS / GOALS / MEMORIES
Personal Hero: Jesus Christ
Personal Philosophy: Give life a bruise
Short-Term Goal: 100 miler in the spring of 2017
Long-Term Goal: Run across the United States starting on my 50th birthday
Most Prized Possession: Valerie Rogers
Most Proud Achievement: Notes from my children about how I have impacted them
Happiest Memory: Mom’s cancer went into remission
Secret Ambition/Fantasy: It’s no secret. I desire my ministry and my companies to go worldwide.
Greatest Adventure: Raising children
DISLIKES / FEARS
Least Liked Subject: Endless, pointless, and awkward chit chat
Least Liked Household Chore: I love chores
Pet Peeve(s): Laziness
Greatest Fear: That my mouth won’t stop what my mind is thinking
SPARE TIME
Book Currently Reading: Start Where You Are
Hobbies: Taking care of business
Collections: Stuff people sit by the side of the road
What’s next: It will involve running
Post race bliss for Tom, family & crew/pacers at his 2015 FlatRock 101K finish.
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