Dedicated Eppelman feels natural, plans vacations around races -- Lake Grapevine Runners And Walkers

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, [8], 9, 10 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 07:05:22 04/23/03 Wed
Author: Dallas Morning News
Subject: Dedicated Eppelman feels natural, plans vacations around races

Dedicated Eppelman feels natural, plans vacations around races

04/23/2003

By MELINDA WEAVER / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

Scott Eppelman doesn't run to beat others.

Eppelman, a 36-year-old Coppell resident and member of Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers, usually runs to beat himself.

He wants to meet his expectations, and once he meets one goal, he's ready for a larger goal.

"I like the idea of pushing the limits," Eppelman said. "I like to go farther than I thought I could."

The first time he ran a marathon, Eppelman wanted to try an ultra-marathon � a race of 50 kilometers or longer. The first time he ran 50 miles, he wanted to run 100. He has run in blizzards, rainstorms and high altitudes.

He ran a 72-hour race on a track. He also ran 24 hours on a treadmill, trying to get his name in Guinness World Records. He says Guinness is researching to determine if he is the only person to do it.

He ran the perimeter of Belt Line Road, a stretch of 93 miles, on a cold January night.

If it can be done, Eppelman wants to try.

In eight years, he has run 65 ultra-marathons.

He won his last race in North Carolina the first weekend in April. He's training for the Cornbelt 24-hour Run on May 3 in Eldridge, Iowa.

He plans vacations around his running, once running a 100-kilometer in Italy, and coordinates marathons with business trips for Signal Administration in Dallas.

"He's found his thing," his wife, Kelly, said. "Everyone has something that they really enjoy doing, that they're really good at. It's not just a hobby anymore. It's part of his personality."

Eppelman said running just felt natural.

The key is focus. During a race, Eppelman doesn't want to keep his mind off what he's feeling but rather to focus on it.

"He's the most focused, mentally tough runner I've ever come across," said Tom Crull, who runs with Eppelman in North Texas Trail Runners. "Everything is very planned out. He's very smart, and he works hard. He knows how to train and what his body needs. He's very dedicated."

Eppelman started running in college to lose weight.

"I really didn't have any goals at the time," Eppelman said. "I never envisioned doing anything big with it."

He competed in ultra-marathons because he liked to run but didn't know anyone who ran. He learned the secrets through trial and error because he didn't have anyone to help him.

It certainly wasn't a social event like it is now. Eppelman is a member of North Texas Trail Runners, the Cross Country Club of Dallas and the American Ultra Runners Association, for which he is on the board.

Eppelman has also found he enjoys giving back to the sport.

Eppelman is organizing the Ultracentric 24/48-hour run, one of the area's premier races, Thanksgiving weekend at Greenhill.

He also helps fellow runners learn the things he learned on his own.

"He's helped me so much," said Letha Cruthirds, who runs with him in the Lake Grapevine club. "Anything he can do to help, he'll do."

E-mail mweaver@dallasnews.com

EPPELMAN FACTS

First ultra-marathon: 1995

First 100-mile race: 1996

Best time in a marathon: 2 hours 44 minutes in Abilene

Best time in a 100-mile race: 14 hours, 47 minutes in Huntsville

Toughest race: San Juan Mountains in Colorado, 100 miles at altitudes as high as 14,000 feet

Most memorable accomplishment: On a team that represented United States at World 100K championship in Torhout, Belgium

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/city/northeasttarrant/stories/042303dnnorrunner.780ef.html

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

wow... -- stacie, 15:17:26 04/23/03 Wed