Martino profile

Runner's Profile: Martino Poggio
By Joe Howell

In reading the Profile of Martino Poggio, check out the nicknames that Martino admits to and you will soon realize this is one unique runner. Think about it - the same guy moved to the United States on Halloween, weighed 75 pounds in the 7th grade, races a two-man 15 foot boat and apparently is considered an idiot savant by certain close friends.

I first noticed Martino as the new guy joining Mick Caruso and John Orach on their training runs. (No, you can't blame him for the fact that he started his local running career with some class B runners.) I then began to see Martino's name at the top in the results from some local races, but only when I sat next to Martino at Mick Caruso's surprise birthday party did I fully appreciate the man. His humor, self-deprecating wit and the remarkable stories people tell about him (in his presence!) combine to create nothing short of a legend. Think about it, how many people do you know who would ever admit to a nickname like "Baron Von Clean-a-lot"?

Name Martino Poggio
Age 25
Nicknames Pog, Tino, Cleano, Cleans, Baron Von Clean-a-lot, Murray, Cap'n Chromino, Dr. Spin, and assorted other unmentionables.
Employment: I'm working in a laboratory at UCSB on my PhD in physics.
Family: My dad Tomaso is a professor of neuroscience at MIT. My mom Barbara works as a school psychologist and teaches school psychology at Northeastern U. My sister Allegra is headed into her sophomore year at Bates College in Maine, where she hops into her red Cherokee and hits the slopes every chance she can. They all live in Wellesley, MA (just outside of Boston) where I grew up. Everyone else: grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, live in northern Italy in and around Milan and Genoa. We moved to the US when I was 3 years old on Halloween of 1981. Wow, was I confused that first night. all these whack-jobs in costume knocking at our door begging for food; where had my parents taken me?! My local family here in SB are my housemates Jon (with whom I went to high school back in Boston), Chelsey (along with her dog Bailey), and Ryan who just moved in. We all live up on the Mesa near the old Wilcox property.

Other sports/interests/hobbies: A fellow grad student and I own a high performance sailing skiff called a 29er. It's a 2 man single-hull boat about 15 ft long with a trapeze and 3 sails. We're still trying to improve enough to race. it's a work in progress. If you see a couple of guys getting tossed around by the elements in a fast looking boat, check the sail number; we're USA 101 and we could probably use your help!
My friends describe me: Some say I tell entertaining stories; I'd say I'm usually good for a few laughs. Also, I ask way too many questions when watching movies; suspending my disbelief is not my forte'. After knowing me for a while most people end up saying something like, "How can you be smart and such an f---ing idiot at the same time?"
My trademark expression: "So last night we went out and." or "If we're not back by sundown, call the coast guard."
If money were not a consideration, I would love to: Money's a consideration? I guess I was never clued in to that one. I think I'd do exactly what I'm doing: livin' the dream in SB.
Goals in the next 5 years: Get my PhD, start my career, run faster, sail better, and party like a rock star.
Goals in the next 10 years: To rule the world..

Accomplishments
I am really proud of the fact that... I can get a semicolon into just about anything I write; it's really not that hard.
Favorite Distance & PR at same: 5K in 16:30. I know I could go faster. hopefully faster is coming soon!
Best Race and Why: 2002 Pier to Peak half-marathon. I was 5th. It's a grind, but I think it's just a really great race... Short former wrestlers like me are built for the hills. I can't wait to do better.
Worst Race and Why: St. George's Academy Cross-Country meet, circa 1995 (5K) near Newport, Rhode Island. It was damn hot and I was still
thinking like a wrestler; I hadn't figured out that eating and drinking before a race is pretty important. I felt awful, ran awful, and scared my friends and family by passing out at the finish. Pretty much a disaster all around. It was, however, a beautiful New England day by the beach on an opulent prep-school campus complete with its own cathedral.
Average weekly milage: 40-45 miles/week (not counting time off for injuries, work, etc.). I'm working on raising it to 50-55.
Favorite Local Race: Nite Moves. The whole thing just sums up why I like living here: beautiful scenery, casual atmosphere, post-race brews and partying on the beach, a competitive run (usually. you know, not counting when Rod wins in 17:28), and a general good time among friends. What a great idea.
Running Goals (realistic) for this year: Break (or come close to) 16 minutes for a 5K.
Running Goals (wildly optimistic) for this year: Run sub 1:15 at the SB half marathon.
Running Goals (lifetime - Before I die, I hope to): Consistently run 5Ks under 16, beat Steve Harding before he's senile and can't figure out what's happening to him (that way he'll stop whispering, "you'll never beat me," in my ear before every race we run), win the Pier to Peak, become a legitimate local runner (wherever local may be).

Why I Run: I was really into wrestling in junior high and high school. I started running on the cross-country team freshman year to get in shape for the wrestling season. I haven't wrestled in a long time, but I used to be pretty good. In 7th grade my coach called me, "pound-for-pound the toughest wrestler around." That year I wiped the mat with my competition in the 75 3/4 lb weight class. Now, my housemate's golden retriever weighs more than that. I'm not quite sure if that's sad or just plain funny. Anyway, I run because I love to compete. I also do it cause I'm an addict and I need my runner's high. It's a great way to break up the weekly workday monotony too.
My Local Runner Hero & Why: Johnny O. and Mick because they took me under their wing and were the first guys in town I was trying to catch. Aaron Gillen because he's so f---ing fast on 25 miles/week, but most of all because he's such a damn good guy too. Rod because the aspiring academic in me recognizes that he's the fastest professor I know. Carl Schulhof just because he's Carl. Steve Harding because he thinks his last name is Prefontaine. I could keep going. perhaps I should stop before I get myself into any more trouble.
Personal Training Tips: I wish I knew something about training correctly; I'm working on it. All I can say is, if you get injured, don't train through it. In my experience it always comes back to haunt you.
I love runners... and people who are fun-loving, witty, and don't take themselves too seriously.
I hate runners... who don't have any fun doing it. Come on guys, lighten up!
Suggestions for local races: How about certifying some courses? I think McConnell's is the only certified race in town. Also, a race up in the mountains would be fun. Mountain Drive, Stanwood, etc. I know parking is a problem up there, but it would be nice to have another race that didn't run along the coast. Or how about a cross-country style race up on Elwood or More Mesas?
Suggestions for the SBAA: Fund a travel team of SBAAers to compete with other clubs (I know some of you guys are already on top of this one). Otherwise, keep it up.