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Mark Buciak

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Meet Mark Buciak: Watch the video!

Where do you live?: Chicago, IL

Day job: Program Director, THE ROAD TO BOSTON Training Program

When did you become a Brooks I.D. Member?: 2007

Date of birth: May 1, 1960

High School: Gordon Tech High School (Chicago, IL)

College: De Paul University, Chicago, IL

Personal Record(s):

Marathon: 2:30:25, Boston 1983

Half Marathon: 72:11, Great North Run 1982, New Castle, England

De Paul University School Record: Marathon: 2:39:54, Boston 1981

52 career marathons including 29 consecutive Bostons

Member: Boston’s Quarter Century Club (QCC)

Lifetime mileage: 110,000+ miles

Events Currently Training For: Twin Cities 10 Mile (10.05.08)

Miles run/week: 50

Favorite Brooks shoes and apparel?: Shoes: Adrenaline™ GTS 7; Apparel: Anything & everything NightLife

Why do you run?: I have been running for 34 years, which is over 70 percent of my life. Running makes me feel healthy—I especially enjoy feeling the fresh air (no matter how cold) enter and leave my body. The process of setting goals, making a plan and then accomplishing these objectives is very fulfilling. Many of my friends are runners. They are wonderful and centered people. This spirit and running community is so special. This is how I met my wife; she is also a runner and a sub-3:30 marathoner.

Who inspires you?: My fellow runners, especially the beginning runners in my training programs.

The best thing about being an I.D. Member (besides the discount): The privilege of being an active member of a group of runners from across the country who love running as much as I do, and to run for a company that has first class products.

When did you start running?: August 25, 1974—Freshman year in high school. This was the first day of cross country practice. I have not stopped.

What challenges do you face as a runner?: Winters in Chicago can be a challenge as they are cold, dark, long, and snowy. Brooks products help me make it through these tough winter days. All of my running is done outside, and what I do in January, February and March will determine how well I perform in Boston.

What do you like to do when you're not running?: Spending time with my wife, Barrie, and playing with my dog, Fenway; coaching my runners and conducting running camps; organizing Blood Drives for the American Red Cross.

Favorite type of event: Trail Run

Favorite race: Redwoods Marathon, Boston Marathon, and Alaska’s Lost Lake 25K trail run

Favorite run: Chicago's lakefront path and any run in a forest.

Favorite pre- and post-race foods: PRE: Water, bananas, bagels; POST: Grilled hamburgers and fish, fresh oysters, a glass of wine, and later, ice cream.

Anything else you’d like to add: Yes. I would like to encourage everyone -- especially runners -- to have an annual physical exam. I know first hand that this could save your life. I had an annual exam each year for the last 20 years. In 2002, my doctor discovered that I had a leaky heart value. After monitoring it closely, I was advised that it needed to be replaced. On February 1, 2006, I had open heart surgery. Dr. Patrick McCarthy and his team at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago successfully replaced my aortic valve. Less than 11 weeks later, I completed the Boston Marathon. Modern medicine is remarkable, but it can only do so much. We, as runners who place incredible demands on our hearts, need to take the first step and go for annual physical. It can save your life. I know that it saved mine. Also every runner should take a class to obtain CPR certification.