Member Spotlight: Michael Langer
Michael Langer joined Trail Roots earlier this year and hit the ground running. With some big goals on the calendar, like running rim-to-rim-to-rim at the Grand Canyon and several other international running trips, he sought a group for training, consistency, and community. Staring at a computer screen by day, Michael also has a passion for Wordle and traveling. We wanted to ask him a few questions about his journey with running and Trail Roots.
What inspired you to start running?
Bad knee (grade IV chondromalacia) “inspired” me to start running, because I couldn’t play soccer any longer.
Why did you join Trail Roots?
Erik tricked me. During the meetup before the Tahoe Runcation, he told me I can just join for one month to train for the race there, but here I am several months later unable to quit. I like the group and the coaches too much. Tuesday AM all the way!!!
How has training with a group helped you?
I generally run 6 days a week, with one long run day, one workout day, and sometimes one medium long run or hills day, while the rest of the days are easy. Since joining Trail Roots, I have more date/time slot options available to fit those in. I appreciate the trail days: Discovery Wednesday and long trail run Saturday in particular, because there are not that many group trail run options around Austin these days. I used to be a regular on the Trail Zen runs lead by Joe Prusaitis, but they stopped a few years ago.
What do you love about trail running?
I love that when running on trail I have a lot less chance to be hit by a car than on the road. There are still cyclists in the woods, but even they don’t usually go quite as fast on mud and rocks. Also, of course, there is all that crap about being one with nature, blah blah blah.
What is your favorite trail to run with Trail Roots?
My favorite trail is a moving target. It’s usually the trail that I am running for the first time, like the trails off Southwest Parkway that we ran with Trail Roots recently. I love being surprised by the view around the next turn on the trail. I don’t necessarily like exploring on my own, but when there is a new trail that’s marked, and there is a group for me to run with, it’s always a treat.
You just completed R3 at the Grand Canyon, what was that experience like?
I always thought of it as the Holy Grail of trail running, and it did not disappoint. There is magic in the great ditch and no cell service. It’s a perfect place to get away from worldly troubles. I was in no hurry, and yet I knew I had to keep moving to get back safely. The enormous beauty of the place during the day, the starry skies at night — it kept my spirits high. It’s been a few weeks, but I can still feel that experience in my heart and soul.
“I don’t necessarily like exploring on my own, but when there is a new trail that’s marked, and there is a group for me to run with, it’s always a treat.”
You went on our Tahoe Runcation and have done several international running trips, what do you like about Runcations?
For me, there is no better way to spend my time off. Reason #1 - sightseeing: I get to see all the incredible places that are only accessible by foot. Reason #2 - training: I get to have my cake and eat it too, by which I mean I get to do great training AND great recovery. It’s very hard to achieve both during the course of the year, given job and family obligations. Reason #3, the biggest of all — getting to do it with like-minded people. I’ve met hundreds of people on my runcations, but have yet to meet someone I would be uncomfortable around. It really takes special people to spend our vacation time and money on something that comes with a guarantee that there will be suffering involved.
What has been your favorite place to run in?
The Marlette 50K from the Tahoe Runcation is now my favorite race course. Though, don’t do it if you are allergic to the color blue. Some of the favorite places to run from my international running trips are: Cliffs of Moher and Glenveagh National Park in Ireland, Landmannalaugur in Iceland, Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia, but the most favorite is just some nameless trail that nobody knows about in the Atlas mountains in Morocco from my Endurance Adventure Morocco trip. There, the incredible landscape and the total lack of evidence of human civilization, made me feel like I was on a different planet.
Do you have any races or goals that you’re working towards?
I’ve run a few marathons before, but they all went horribly wrong. Just this year, I have finally figured out that I don’t take enough electrolytes during my longer runs and races. So, I am pretty excited to try this marathon thing again now that I have had this eureka moment. First up is the Austin marathon. If I can actually finally run the whole damn thing, then I will look for an easier course to run a faster time in, such as the Tunnel marathon in Washington State.
What advice would you give people who are new to trail running and want to join a group?
You pretty much have to join a group. Otherwise, you are going to be eaten by a bear. Logic dictates that you want to pick a group to join where you are not the slowest person.