Derron Gadison
Monday, July 06, 2015
The tides of change are coming soon. Time to hit the RESET button!
Q. Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do for a living?
My name is Derron and I’m from a very small town in Georgia, U.S.A. but due to my job and the numerous places it has taken me, I consider the world my home. I currently work at the American Embassy in South Africa. When I’m not working or running, I’m out exploring and traveling, meeting new people in my host country, or reading a good book. I’m pretty low key.
Q. How do you balance your exercise regime and your professional life?
When I lived in D.C., it was quite easy but my new gig has made it quite difficult but I manage. I try to squeeze in, at minimum, a 10km run/fartlek run whenever possible and go on my LD runs on the weekends.
Q. When and why did you start running?
In my profession, we would always run 3-5 miles per run day but I started running on my own around 2008 while stationed in Cuba. I took it seriously when I moved back to the States in 2009. One day, I got on a scale and saw that I gained 20 lbs. I’ve never been the gym type so I purchased an iPod Nano and took off. It’s been something I’ve loved to do no matter where my job takes me ever since.
Q. What motivates you to go out there, when you do not feel like it?
Just seeing someone else running motivates me, especially on days when I’m just not feeling it. The thought crosses my mind, “Their day couldn’t have been as rough as mine. You should be out there running with them”.
Q. What is the longest distance you have ran?
Officially, the Navy-Air Force Half Marathon & the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon in D.C. Unofficially, 30km
Q. What gives you the confidence to run in the streets?
Seeing fellow runners, no matter how fast or slow, gives me confidence.
Q. What do you think about the lack of exercise among the youth?
I think it speaks a lot about the world in which we live in now. When I was younger, you couldn’t pay us to stay inside all day but that was long before you had social media, PC’s & iPads, PS4’s and other gadgets to hold your attention. *ends old man rant*
Q. What was your best running experience?
My best running experiences haven’t been really long runs but fun runs with my co-workers or my friends here in Joburg like Tyeya, who I know aren’t runners but they do them anyway (after I have guilt tripped them into it) and afterwards, they feel great and want to sign up for the next race. So being able to share what I love to do with friends would be at the top of my list.
Q. What was your worst running experience?
I ran a Prison Break run 10km race and around the end, my leg just went completely numb and felt like I had a knot in my lower back. Come to find out it was a pinched sciatic nerve and bulging disk. Worst five months ever. Not because of the pain but I was unable to run.
Q. How do you push through the pain?
After my last injury, I don’t. I now listen to my body
Q. What advice can you give somebody who wants to start running?
One foot in front of the other at a comfortable pace then repeat. That’s all it takes to start.
Q. Which Social media sites are you on and how can one follow you?
Twitter: @dgadison
Instagram: @bamboos_dad
- My best running shoes is …a tie between the OG Nike Lunar Flyknit 1+ and Nike Free 4.0 Flyknit’s….the lighter the better
- I love running because …it takes me to a place where it’s just me and my thoughts. The day’s problems mean nothing to me at that point and it’s just me and the distance that I set for myself that matters at that moment.
- Injury is …temporary.
- My body is … something I take care of but I know I can do better.
- My running playlist is…eclectic. I can go from Mozarteum Ochestra Salzburg to Queen to Nina Simone to Public Enemy. Secret Shame: my Nike+ PowerSong is Fergie’s “Fergalicious” *don’t judge me*
- I hate running when …NEVER!
- Pain is … the body telling you to pull on the reins just a bit
- The road … is endless. No telling where it will take you, the things you will see, and the friends you will make along the way.
- Sweat is … exhilarating. The feeling of a long, sweaty run is damn near erotic (well at least to me anyway. I’m just weird like that :).
- In future, I would like to run … with as many groups or individuals here in Johannesburg/Pretoria area so if you are here, let’s go for a run.
- Indie means … free from outside control which defines how I feel when I’m running.
- I do not like runners who … no idea. I haven’t really met any obnoxious running snobs. Yet.
#RunRevolution
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