Athlete Profile - John Stasulli
Athlete: John Stasulli
Lives City/State: Killeen, Texas
Go to Orange Mud Gear: Endurance Pack
Primary Sport: Trail Running
What sports do you participate in?
Only running for me.
What is your favorite race food?
I always turn to Bearded Brothers Bars when I need something during my races, but I will NEVER turn down a good quesadilla.
What is your go to hydration mix?
Tailwind Nutrition
Do you have a major quirk you’d like to share?
Spreadsheets! I live by planning and numbers. Whether it is my races or when crewing others, I map out every detail of the race from elevation down to projected times for Aid Station stops. It is definitely a quirk considering our sport! Things hardly ever go as we plan. That ok though, I will still have my plan ready to go! :D
If you were relate to an animal, what would it be?
Wolf
If a newbie to your sport asked for one piece of advice, what would it be?
Run your own run
Do you have any racing pet peeves? (Gel packets, mud, thorns, smelly runners, etc).
People throwing trash on the trails!
What is your post race ritual?
Nothing beats a nice cold post-race IPA while cheering on other runners!
How long have you been running?
If you count the time in the Army, I have been running for over 25-years!
Why do you enjoy the sport?
The comradery that exists within the trail running community and the challenges that come with each and every race. You are always learning and growing.
What's your favorite trail race?
Brazos Bend 100 at Brazos Bend State Park, TX. The race takes place in December every year. It turns into a huge holiday party for all of the runners. There is a tradition at this race where I dress as the Grinch!
What's your favorite local trail?
Dana Peak Park, Harker Heights, TX
What's your go to piece of Orange Mud gear and why?
Endurance Pack v2. Hands down, this has to be the most versatile pack I’ve ever used! With the 2L bladder and the ability to hold two 20oz bottles up front, this pack can support any race and any distance!
Profession and educational background?
Director of Engineering w/ an MBA and MS IT Management
What is your biggest accomplishment in your sport?
The sport in general has been my greatest accomplishment. Following my reconstructive surgery, the surgeons didn’t think I would be able to run again! Every race makes me smile!
Do you have a set training schedule and if so, what's it like?
If not, how do you decide what to do? My training schedule is set by my amazing coach! She has pushed me beyond what I ever believed was possible. We have a typical training cycle of 3-weeks of heavy training, 1-week of “rest” leading up to our big races!
What's your dream race?
It doesn’t necessarily have to be a race, but I would absolutely love the chance to run in Patagonia and Iceland!
Favorite book for athletes?
Got to Live by Jay Danek
Nowhere Near First by Cory Reese
Do you listen to audiobooks or music during exercise?
On long training runs I will occasionally listen to music (single Airpod), but during a race I never do. During a race, I want to be able to hear and enjoy what is going on around me!
What advice would you give to a new runner coming into the sport?
Run your own run.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My family. Cliché I know, but my wife, kids, and grandkids are the world to me.
Have you struggled with any injuries? How do you manage them?
I’ve had reconstructive surgery on my ankle from my time in the military and have degenerative arthritis in both ankles. I focus on proper training, nutrition, and supplements to offset the injuries and keep my body healthy! The approach has kept me strong and on the trails!
Anything else you’d like to share?
This year I will be toeing the line for my first 100 mi race! I am headed to California in June to race the San Deigo 100!
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Break your race, regardless of the distance, into smaller, more manageable pieces. Don’t focus on running 100k, 100mi, or whatever your distance is. Focus on Aid Station to Aid Station and treat each segment as its own race.
What is your favorite local running or biking store?
Austin Trail Running Company in Austin, TX
Social Links
Instagram - @johnstasulli
Blog – https://johnstasulli.wordpress.com