Rob Gomez - Founder of Eastern Shore Training, RRCA Certified Running Coach
What is Eastern Shore Training?
Eastern Shore Training (EST) is an online coaching service for runners of all ages and ability levels.
How old were you and what influenced you to start running?
I first started running in middle school as a member of the school cross country team because I wanted to do a fall sport and I wasn’t really that good at soccer (football wasn’t offered).
Can you give us a bit of your running history?
I stuck with running through high school with the support of my friends and family and had some additional running success when I started attending the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone. From there I participated on the XC and indoor and outdoor track teams at Bates College until the winter of my junior year when I stopped doing extracurriculars in anticipation of the birth of my daughter, Juliette.
Between December 2003 and December 2006 I really didn’t run or exercise much at all and put on 60+ pounds. In December 2006 my friend and I set a goal of doing the 2007 Chicago Marathon and I’ve been running consistently ever since. Having that three year off period has helped me really appreciate the physical, mental and social benefits that running provides for me.
"A lot has transpired over the last ten years, but during that time running has been a constant that has helped keep me happy, sane, focused and oh yeah, roughly 55 pounds lighter. The process is hard but the results are worth it. Keep grinding everyone #transformationtuesday #runhappy #mainerunning" -Rob Gomez via Instagram @eshoretrain
"Rob has been able to channel this passion into a number of successes in road racing, most notably the New England RunnerMagazine's Maine Runner of the Year in 2013, a win at the 2013 Maine Marathon, two top-40 finishes at the Boston Marathon and a total of five marathons in under 2:25." via EST Website
Photo Credits: Maine Running Photos, TDB2B 10K, WE3PIX
What is the next race on your horizon?
The 2017 Philadelphia Marathon on November 19th.
How does running impact your everyday life?
It impacts everything I do, directly and indirectly. Directly, it is an important part of my daily schedule, something I schedule most other activities around, and I, of course, spend time every day conducting coaching activities. Indirectly, running has played a part in my marriage (I met my wife at a road race) and my social groups (many of my friends are runners).
How important is having a daily routine?
To me, it’s very important, but I’m very much a Type A, right-brained type of person who thrives on having a schedule. Just writing down the tasks I want to complete for the day on a small notepad is a very therapeutic activity for me, even if I don’t accomplish all those tasks by the end of the day.
What is your best running experience?
Running and winning the second leg of the Cabot Trail Relay in 2014 and proposing to my wife right after I finished.
What is your worst running experience?
Watching from the sidelines while the Bates College Men’s XC team qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championship during my senior year.
If you could offer one piece of running advice, what would it be?
When you’re just starting out running or getting back into running from a long layoff, the hardest part is the beginning. Everything gets dramatically better from there.
What is your favorite running app?
Strava. It’s a very efficient and user-friendly app and offers a lot of utility and social networking opportunities.
What is your favorite inspirational/motivational quote?
“Shit happens, and if we want to restrict ourselves to things where shit can’t happen… we’re not going to do anything very interesting.” -Dan Canin, as quoted in the Book “Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why” by Laurence Gonzales
In one word, describe yourself:
Fortunate.
To Connect with Rob & Eastern Shore Training:
Instagram: @eshoretrain
Twitter: @eshoretraining
Facebook page link: https://m.facebook.com/easternshoretraining
Website: www.easternshoretraining.com