May Walker of the Month: Tony Miksanek

Tony Miksanek was born in Chicago, Illinois but has resided in southern Illinois (Benton, population 7,100) since 1983. He graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in Biological Sciences and received his MD from the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. A small town family doctor for more than 25 years, Tony has also worked at the University of Illinois Student Health Center, taught Anatomy and Physiology at the junior college level, and published many medical articles, essays, reviews, and short stories. He is married to Arlene (for 36 years) and has 3 children and 3 grandchildren.
 
**What motivates you to run/walk?
Enjoyment, Fitness, Challenge, Camaraderie
 
**How many races have you participated in?  
Lots. I haven’t actually counted them but 700 is a reasonable estimate.
 
**What age did you start running/walking for fun & competitively?
I started Race Walking in 1999. Before that, I was seriously into Sprinting (100, 200, 400 meter dash) and doing USATF Masters Track throughout the Midwest. As I got older and slower and accumulated more injuries (two stress fractures, torn hamstring), walking seemed like a better, safer option.
 
**Favorite place to run/walk?
Pretty much anywhere. We have a nice middle school track and community college track. The surface is easy on the feet and spine. No traffic or stray dogs.
 
**Favorite local race?
That’s like asking, “Who’s your favorite child?” We are fortunate to have so many wonderful Evansville/Newburgh races to choose from.
 
**Favorite race outside of the Tri-State?
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. It’s Disney World – need I say more?
 
**Farthest you have traveled to do a race?
Disney World, Florida
 
**Favorite race distance?
All of them. I like the variety – speed vs endurance.
 
**Favorite race memory?
Completing my first Marathon in 2003. That was a strange mix of pain + exhaustion + ecstasy + spirituality
 
**Favorite pre & post-race meal/drink?
Banana (pre-) and if we’re in Evansville, definitely Baskin-Robbins chocolate fudge ice cream (post-)
 
**What is your favorite brand of running shoe?
Brooks (for training and distances of Half Marathon and beyond), ASICS (for Race Walking)
 
**How many miles do you run/walk a week?
Pretty consistently 20 miles per week, obviously more when preparing for a Half or Full Marathon. As you age, it’s a bit of a balancing act – train hard but try to avoid overuse injuries.
 
**What are your future goals for running/walking?
Keep going. I have a small sign in front of our treadmill machine that reads, “Go for Broke.” That essentially sums up my athletic career, past and present.
 
 **Favorite time of day to run?
Anytime
 
 **Favorite weather to run in?
The hotter the better. Seriously.