Tor Waschenko

Friday, October 10, 2014


Q. Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do for a living?
A. My name is Tor and I am a 22 year old interior architecture student. As I complete my final year of schooling at Virginia Tech, I concurrently work as a freelance designer in New York City.

Q. When and why did you start running?
A. I started running in 2005 when I was 13 years old. I joined my middle school’s track team with the intention of staying in shape for soccer. Miles and miles of smiles soon evolved into a passion and love for running.


Q. What motivates you to go out there, when you do not feel like it?
A. There are plenty of days (especially in colder weather) that I have the hardest time motivating myself to go outside and run. I remind myself of when I was heavy and how I never want to be that unhealthy again. I always want to be better than yesterday. That is what motivates me.

Q. What is the longest distance you have ran?
A. In 2012, at the age of 19, I ran my first marathon.


Q. What do you love about running?
A. I am in love with the feeling where mid-run everything makes perfect sense and I am at complete peace with myself.



Q. What do you hate about running?

A. A day without it.  Honestly, there’s nothing I don’t like. Many people have a list of things they hate.  I pay close attention to their lists and recognize what they do not like, taking these insights into account when designing spaces in my field.  In turn, the spaces I design will have the best chance of promoting healthy lifestyles while inspiring individuals to enjoy physical activity.  Poorly planned urban design often prevents individuals from running, invoking negative attitudes toward the sport.  I want people to love running (and anything active) through well-intentioned design!  


Q. How do you think running can empower people?
A. Running is about setting goals on every level and working to achieve them.  Hard work pays off and becomes very empowering for anyone who is willing to try!


Q. What do you think about the lack of exercise among the youth?
A. The lack of exercise is frightening…. But, more importantly, I think a better question is what are we going to do about it? This is the primary reason I am pursuing an architecture / “active design” career path. I am on a mission to encourage present and future generations to live healthy and active lives through interior design. It is of paramount importance to inspire movement in today’s environments in hopes of increasing and maintaining overall health and well-being. By designing spaces that are interactive and engaging, living healthy becomes less of a chore and more of a lifestyle!

Q. How do you push through the pain?
A. If I compare the pain of a run to the pain of real world problems, the temporary pain in my legs is nonexistent. I think of the people who physically cannot run and I run for them too. 


Q. What can you not run without?
A. I cannot run without the right attitude. I will not step out the door until I get into a positive and optimistic mindset… otherwise there’s little fun in running and it is hard to get into it.

Q. What advice can you give somebody who wants to start running?
A. Be optimistic about it. Don’t put limits on yourself or make up excuses as to why you can’t run. If there is a will there is a way. Running is a constant battle with your inner self, but if you have a mindset that you want to do something you can achieve anything. Running is just an example this concept – hard work with the right attitude can take you anywhere.

Q. Which Social media sites are you on and how can one follow you?
A. Instagram @runtorrun, Nike+ @runtorrun

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