November
2019
Michael Cordi
Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself.
A: I’m from Endwell and I still live there. I graduated from Maine-Endwell in 1977 and I teach Social Studies there now,
I also coached cross-country and track at M-E for about 17 years.
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Q: How long have you been running and how did you get started?
A: I’ve been running for 48 years (Sept 29, 1971). I was actually on the soccer team at M-E in 7th grade when my PE teacher put me on the cross-country team- I didn’t know what it was when I went to practice that day!
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Q: Would you rather run with a group or alone? Trails or road?
A: It depends on my mood- I usually run alone because I run in the morning before school. But I enjoy the company of a group run. Roads (unless it’s nice, groomed trails in the woods.)
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Q: What is your favorite distance or race? Any pre-race rituals?
A: 800 meters- I love racing it, training for it, watching it and coaching it! Before a race, I just like to warm up for 30-60 minutes and I LIKE to avoid talking but that’s tough to do.
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Q: What's the most rewarding thing about running and how do you stay motivated when you don’t want to run?
A: The friends and acquaintances I’ve made over the years. [When I don't want to run,] I think of the health benefits and I simply love to run.
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Q: What is your favorite running memory and any goals for the future?
A: That’s tough, there are many, but my first marathon because I set and achieved a goal of 2:49:00. [As for my goal for the future,] I’ve been injured for over 3 years, I’m healthy now and I want to be a competitive 60+ year old runner and travel to USATF races
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Q: Who inspires you most?
A: I think some of the runners I’ve coached from the stars to the kids who just persevered to improve to the best of their ability.
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Q: What advice do you have for new runners?
A: Start slow, give it time. DO NOT rush into “longer” races, learn to love running for running and not for the next race.
AND!!!! Try track- go to a TCRC Meet and run the mile and 800, set PR’s.
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Running Strong for over
50 years (1971-2021)
