Summer Allen

Personal Records

Age/DOB: 59 years old
Born July 13,1949

How long have you been running? I've been running off and on since I joined the U.S. Navy in 1973, but started training seriously for marathons when I turned 50 years old.

Who has influenced your running? I've been influenced by my favorite authors on running, including Hal Higdon, Grete Waitz, Jim Fixx, Joe Henderson, Joan Ullyot, Jeff Galloway, and more recently Kathrine Switzer, my new hero.

How much running are you doing? I'm running 40 plus miles per week right now, since I'm training for the October 4, 2008 St. George Marathon in St. George, Utah.

What's your favorite workout? I especially enjoy running early Saturday mornings with my friend Alice Christensen. We run from the Forum parking lot on the MKT Trail into town, where we treat ourselves to skinny iced chais at either the Cherry Street Artisan or Lakota Coffee Company, then back to our cars (about 6.5 miles). Heaven!

What's your favorite place to run? My favorite place to run is on the MKT trail, where I run practically every day. I love the soft surface, wheich is perfect for running or walking. I hope the city never decides to pave it and turn it into a bike commuter trail, as they threatened to do at one point.

What are your running accomplishments? Since 2000, I've run one 5K (1st in my age group), two 8Ks (1st in age group in both), two 10Ks (2nd and 3rd in age group), nine Half Marathons (3 1st places in age group), and 10 Marathons.

What are your running goals? I hope to qualify and run in the Boston Marathon before I die.
Closer to home, I plan to run the 50th Heart of America Marathon in 2009. I'm hoping to make up for dropping out in 1979, by finishing it and ending several decades of shame!

Personal info: I'm married to Ron Kucera who is my greatest supporter. He puts up with all my training needs and travels to Marathons with me. Our daughter Christina Kucera lives in Portland, Oregon, and has run several Half Marathons and a 5 Miler with her dad.