Daryn Parker

What are some of your lifetime running goals?:

You can’t beat science, at some point we all get old and slow. My lifetime running goal is to not lose sight of why I run and enjoy the sport, even after the medals and trophies disappear. I really look up to runners in their 70+ in age that are still getting out and mixing it up.

Do you have a claim to fame?:

Most of my claims to fame involve eating, drinking, or other activities I shouldn’t be proud of. I make a ¾ pound burger that has gotten me some serious street cred.



Do you have any vices?:

I’m not much of a carpenter, but I do have some vices and miscellaneous wood working tools. Actually I probably have more vices than good habits. Sarcasm, mint chocolate chip ice cream, cheap beer, western wear, over-eating, I’ll stop there.

What makes you tick as a runner and in the real world?:

I guess my philosophy on life is there are numerous things in life you have to do; eat, sleep, pay the bills, etc. You should make doing the necessary things as fun as possible and everything that is outside of the necessary should definitely by enjoyable. I run because in enjoy it, when I don’t enjoy it, I don’t do it. There is nothing wrong with going on a 3 hour run and taking a nap for 2 hours of it. Do what you have to when you have to do it, but make up your own rules when you can.

What drives you to run?:

I enjoy running, but I also need running. If I don’t run, I can get like a caged animal. I need some sort of activity or I drive the people around me nuts. Sometimes the pain of a hard workout really lets you know you are alive. There is something primal that a good run in the mountains satisfies.

What is your favorite movie?:

I’m more of a TV series guy. I’m really into “The Wire” and “Arrested Development”.

Do you have any nicknames? Explain:

I don’t have any nicknames. I guess people keep what they call me to themselves.

What's the longest you've gone without sleep? Why?:

I’m a sleeper, not a sleep depriver. Most people are amazed that I get 9 hours a night. I guess 30 hours or so would be my longest bout without sleep, not very impressive.

If you had to be named after one of the 50 states,
which would it be?:

I’d go with Kansas. I’m from the state, have family still there and love the people. You can get -40 degree wind chills and 110 degree summers, if you spend any significant amount of time outdoors, you’ll get tough quick. I’m starting to worry that the mild Colorado weather is making me soft.



What did you have for lunch yesterday?:

Peanut butter sandwich and a banana.

If you could hook up a thought monitor to your head,
would you see pictures, hear words or would music be
playing?:

Music.

What really scares you about trail running?:

Mountain Lions and Giardia.

If your life was made into a movie, what would it be called?:

Super Bad II. I’d probably be played by Steven Segal; he’s got a great comic sensibility, plus the resemblance thing.

Where would you live if it could be anywhere in the world?:

It probably doesn’t sound that exciting or adventurous, but I would probably stay put in Manitou Springs. When you consider all factors, we have great weather, I can leave my house and run up a 14’er and only be on a road for a couple minutes, nice community, good people; it’s hard to beat. There are a lot of places that might have better mountains or are closer to skiing, but they don’t have the total package.

What's your worst encounter on the trail?:

Last summer I ran up Rampart Range Road and dropped down into Williams Canyon via the trail behind the gun range. As I began down the canyon, I heard a bullet whistle by me and hit the tree 10 feet in front of me. I turned to run back out and heard a second bullet hit in the opposite direction. I ducked underneath a large tree and waited for the gunfire to stop. After a couple of minutes, I got a break and sprinted down the trail. I doubt anyone was intentionally shooting at me, but they definitely weren’t shooting where they were supposed to. Needless to say that is no longer a route in my repertoire.