Scott Crinson,Victoria B.C.Ann Lockley/For the Globe and Mail
Scott Crinson took up running as a way of improving his health. Now, the 41-year-old transit operator, who lives in Victoria, says he is addicted to running. There is nothing like setting out to complete a marathon and reaching the finish line, he says.
Why did you start running?
I ran in high school. And I ran in university for a couple of years. Then, for 15 years, I did nothing. I was stupid. I started smoking, I didn't pay any attention to my health. I got back into running in 2004 because I was trying to quit smoking.
How many marathons have you run since then?
I've done five, including one Boston.
What draws you to running?
The sense of personal achievement, in terms of setting a goal and reaching it. In addition, I find myself by and large addicted to the endorphin rush. One of the things about running is that it feels so damn good when you stop.
Now that you've quit smoking, what are your fitness goals?
In terms of my main goal, it's to get back into a regular fitness regimen. My running regimen has really fallen to pieces since running a marathon last October. And an iron man is on my bucket list. I want to prove that I can do it.
How much do you focus on technique?
My own experience on focusing on technique has been limited. I run primarily alone, so it's very difficult to get an assessment of my technique. But one of the things that I've found useful is trying to focus on consistent pacing. That is one area of technique that I have worked on very hard. When I first started running longer distances, I would go off the starting line like a rabbit and then usually pay for it in spades at the end of the race.
This interview has been condensed and edited.