Monumental Runner – Danny George

Name: Daniel George

Self-described age group: M 30-35

Residence: Bethesda, MD

Occupation: Physical Therapist at ProAction PT

Volunteer roles in the running world: Water boy at multiple MCRRC races, Pacer at Cherry Blossom 10 miler, medical tent volunteer, guide runner for 2004 para-olympian

Why you run: My college coach would say “for fun and personal bests” but currently, for well-being and because it comes naturally.

When did you get started running: High school

Have you taken a break from running:  Yes, very many

Training shoe: Brooks Ghost size 11.5 Wide, all black

Coach or training group: Various Montgomery County Road Runners Club training groups, most recently the Wednesday workout group

The hardest race you’ve ever run: The long leg of DC Ragnar Ultra, I ran something like 46 miles in 24 hours and 9 miles were cut out due to the trail being flooded! The finishing leg was 18 miles and from Key Bridge to Nats Park. My hamstrings were cramping, and I couldn’t run under 9-minute pace.

Most adventurous decision you’ve made with your running: Deciding to run a marathon. I basically imagined it as an adventure, like trying to hike 26 miles as quickly as I could.

Running mentors: Greg Dunston, my coach at Walter Johnson High School

My favorite place to run in the D.C. area is: Rock Creek Park

Favorite local trail: The Western Ridge Trail in Rock Creek

My best race was: I have three: High School: cross country regionals my senior year, qualified for states individually, never thought that would happen but I had the right race on the right day. College: Sophomore year Randall’s island last chance meet, ran a 3 second PR in the 1500 and qualified for ECACs. I would run that exact same time to the hundredth of a second my senior year and still is my PR. Post college: Shamrock 1/2 Marathon in 2015. Ran a 5 minute PR.

Favorite local race: Seneca Slopes XC 9k

Ideal post-run meal: A sausage egg and cheese sandwich from Peter’s Carry-Out and a black coffee

Favorite flavor of gel, gu, etc: For races, I do Power Gels with 2x caffeine (apple and tangerine). For training runs, I’ll do any fruit-flavored gu.

Pet peeve: I don’t have any pets

Goals: Longevity and running with friends. I’ve run a lot, and I’m not really motivated by times or distances anymore. Except breaking 5 minutes in the mile! I’ve done that every year since my Freshmen year in high school (with a mulligan or two in there).

Your advice for a new runner:  Learn from your mistakes. In running, odds are you aren’t winning the race. The real race is with yourself. You’ll get better if you just stay healthy and can keep training. So do your best to learn from your running, then if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll win a race.

Favorite running book: Life At These Speeds by Jeremy Jackson

Song in your head during a run: Lizzo – Good as Hell. Sang it as I passed by my wife this past weekend

Have you dealt with a major injury: Yes, a stress fracture the summer after my Freshmen year of college. I missed a season of Cross Country because of it.

Running quote: “Stride the uphills and float the downs”

Why is the D.C. area a great place to be a runner: The federal government does a tremendous job of plowing walking paths…at least where I live by the NIH. Also the fantastic club that is the Montgomery County Road Runners Club and the incredible job they do of providing a space for runners to come together, train, build community and promote health.