Rod Garratt profile

Runner's Profile: Rod Garratt
By Joe Howell

With our "new and improved" Runner's Profile format (created in large part by Josh Gustafson earlier this year), the "nicknames" category is one that produces some of the most interesting responses. It is clear from Rod Garratt's Profile that he is extremely disappointed that his fellow runners have failed to pick up the "Rocket" sobriquet that was used by not only his high school friends, but also by the chair of the UCSB Economics Department.

I ask that each of you join me in making Rod Garratt's day. From now on, please address Mr. Garratt as "Rocket,""Professor Rocket" if you are one of his students or even "Rocket Man" if that sounds better to you. With a little luck, Rod (oops, I mean Rocket's) admission in this Profile, coupled with cooperation by the SBAA web site and newsletter readership, will give Rocket Garratt what he wants.

A quick check of the current Grand Prix standings indicates that Rocket is in fourth place in the wildly competitive men's 40-44 age group, even though Rocket has three first place and two second place finishes in his races for the year. Since he gives credit for his improved running to the likes of Dave Saunders, Jim Kornell and Terry Howell, I suggest those three assume some responsibility for pushing Rocket into the 40-44 GP top three for the year. (Rocket also mentions Johnny O and Martino, but for obvious reasons it is very difficult for anyone to compliment either of them.)

Run Rocket Run.

[Brief editor's add: A few years ago, running the Chard, Rod's and Dave's wives and daughters - that's one wife each, to clarify what might be grammatically ambiguous - were out on the course, cheering... the girls were so excited they were jumping up and down. I thought at the time, those guys lead perfect lives. Still true.]

Name: Rod Garratt
Age: 40
Family: My wife, Jada, and two daughters, Charlotte and Michelle.
Employment: Economics Professor
Nicknames: In high school all my friends called me Rocket. When I got my job at the university the Chair of the department started calling me Rocket (without knowing it had been my Nickname in high school.) I have been running with SBAA members for 6 years. Strangely, no one ever calls me Rocket.

Hometown: Stratford, Ontario Canada
Favorite Food: Margarita Pizza (Vinney's Italian Restaurant, Ithaca NY)
Favorite Movie: Ferris Bueller's Day Off (Ben Stein captured all the glamour of being an economics professor.)

Other sports, hobbies, interests, etc.: Ice hockey, violin. I have yet to find a way to combine these interests.
My friends describe me as: I really have no idea.
My trademark expression is: Sorry I'm late.

If money were not a consideration, I would love to: Live in Santa Barbara and run every day. Wow, I already do that.
In the next 5/10 years, I hope to: Things are good. I hope they don't change.

Favorite Distance and PR: Ventura half marathon, 1:16:02; La Purisima Mission 5K, 16:12.
Best Race and Why: Ventura half marathon. I ran faster than I ever thought I could. My 10 mile split (58:30) was a PR and I still felt great.
Worst Race and Why: I used to have a problem with rapid heartbeat that was caused by an extra electrical pathway between the upper and lower chambers of my heart. As a result of this I was forced to stop at the 10-mile mark of the Boston Marathon and wait for about 30 minutes before my heartbeat returned to normal. I finished in 3:35. That was very discouraging. I have since had the problem corrected.
Average Weekly Mileage (last 12 months): 40 miles a week.
Favorite Local Race: State Street Mile.

Most Memorable Running Experience: A few years ago I was passed at the 7 mile mark of the 4th of July 15K by a guy pushing a baby jogger. I was determined not to lose to someone pushing a baby jogger (even if he was pushing it at 6 minute pace). For the next two miles I managed to keep him in sight, but I couldn't catch him. Near the end of the race it looked like I caught a break when a wheel fell off the jogger. But, he picked up the wheel and carried it and the jogger across the finish line ahead of me.
Favorite Place to Run: The trails out by Sandpiper golf course.
Glory Days PR: 16:12 5K in 1992. (I ran 15:54 at Fontana a couple of years ago, but that course is all down hill.)
Realistic Running Goals for this Year: Since this year is almost over, I guess I'd like to have one more good race. I would like to go under 23:00 at the Thanksgiving 4 miler.
Wildly Optimistic Running Goals for this year: Run a 10K under 35:00.
Lifetime Running Goals: Break 3 hours in the marathon. Given my times at shorter distances it seems like I should be able to do that easily. However, I have failed to break 3 hours in 4 attempts, including one time of 3:00:32. I find that it is hard to do the mileage necessary to run a good marathon without getting injured. I think it requires more patience than I have so far been able to demonstrate.

Local Running Heroes & Why: Dave Saunders convinced me that I was a better runner than I thought I was. I started running at a higher level after I starting running with Dave. Jim Kornell, Terry Howell, and Johnny O have also had a huge impact on my running. I'd mention Martino, but I'm still bitter about the time he passed me at Nite moves (for the victory) in front of my whole family.
Personal Training Tips:
(1) Training is not practicing. The best way to get faster in races like 5K is to run 3 or 4-mile tempo runs slower than your projected race pace. It seems hard to believe that you will somehow be able to run a race at a pace 15 or 20 seconds a mile faster than you have ever run in training, but you can.
(2) Finish your speed workouts: Even if you feel tired and can't run as fast as you planned, it is important to do the entire workout. Never decide during the workout how many repeats you are going to do, or how long each one will be.

Why I Run: I thought it was mandatory.
I love runners who: Enjoy running.
I don't care for runners who: Win their age group (or the race) and then don't stick around for the awards.
Suggestions for local races: I am amazed at how many local races we get to choose from over the year. If we could add one, I would like it to be a 5 mile race.
Suggestions for SBAA: Keep up the good work. Give a lifetime service award to Jim Kornell. [Ed. note. This is a terrible idea.]

My views on: 529 Plans. 529 plans are a great way to save for your child's college education. Many people think that you have to by the plan offered by your home state. This is not true. In California there are no state tax breaks associated with the in-state plan. I suggest that people who are interested in saving using a 529 plan shop around. I purchased the plan offered by Vanguard in New York State.
Favorite Quote: "Let me know when you say something I need to respond to." Joe Compagni, an old running friend.

SBAA Member since: 1998.