Joe Nuara, 26, is a local runner to admire. One of his greatest accomplishments so far includes running a 24-hour, 100-mile race, and he even keeps a blog about all of his races and adventures.
What sparked your love for running?
I didn't start running seriously until I was out of college. Before that I played Div1 tennis at Quinnipiac University. I needed something to stay active so i started running small races (5ks & 10ks) to stay in shape. Eventually I tried out trail running, which led to discovering a running group (the Bimblers) based out of Guilford, CT. They introduced me to ultra marathons, so I was motivated to train with them and compete in longer endurance races. Around the same time, I discovered obstacle racing (Tough Mudders & Spartan Races) and I fell in love with that community as well. Now I compete in both and have a passion for running and fitness that is considered "crazy" to most people I talk to. I also run with Nike Run Club in Westport every Wednesday — which is always fun and I've made a lot of friends there.
Tell us about some of the races you've completed.
Since 2010, I've probably completed 50+ races ranging from typical 5ks, 10ks, and half marathons — up to ultra marathon distance events (longer than 26.2 miles). That number also includes obstacle races that range from ~3 miles up to 29 miles. The longest distance race I've completed was earlier this year (May) where I competed in a timed 24-hour race. I ran continuously for 22:38 hours and reached my goal of 100 miles. The longer distance races I typically run are on the trails since I find them more interesting and beautiful compared to road races.
How often do you run and how many miles do you average per run?
I typically run 5 days a week. During the week my average run distance is around 5 to 8 miles and on the weekends I go on longer runs of 13 to 20 miles depending on my training schedule and what races I have coming up.
Favorite local running routes?
For road running, I love to run along the beach in Milford at Silver Sands beach. If i'm running after work I head down to Compo beach to run along the shoreline. As for trails, my go-to location is West Rock state park in New Haven.
What time of day do you prefer to run?
I actually prefer to get out early in the morning but that is difficult sometimes. Running with the sun coming up is a great way to start the day. If I don't get up early, I usually head out after work to de-stress from the day.
Do you run alone or with a partner?
Most of my runs are by myself but twice a week I run with my run clubs. Like I mentioned every Wednesday is Nike Run club and on the weekends I will connect with the Bimblers for a longer trail run. I enjoy both running alone and with others and it's a good balance to allow me to focus on my training.
Joe put together this collage of his progress during a 24-hour, 100-mile race
What essential items do you take with you?
My Nike GPS watch and my road ID. I'll take my hydration pack with me on longer trail runs when I know I'll be out for longer than 2 hours. I'll have some snacks in there as well (a whole other conversation!).
What brand of sneaker are you loyal to?
None. Whatever feels good on my foot. I probably have 6 different pairs of shoes I train in at the moment. I've run in Nikes, Asics, Inov8 (trail shoes), New Balance, and Brooks. Each pair has a special function — racing, long distance training, roads, trails, and so on.
Song that gets you pumped up to run?
I'll listen to music before I head out for a run, but not during a run. I like to hear my surroundings (cars, other people, animals). I feel it's safer and I can also listen to my breathing, foot strike on the ground and how my body is performing any given day.
What is your favorite thing to eat before a run?
That depends on what time of day i'm running. If it's in the morning I'll have a handful of cereal, oatmeal or a few eggs with a glass of water. If it's later in the day, i'll try to stay away from too much fiber or dairy and just have some simple proteins (chicken, turkey) and maybe some almonds. For race day i'll have a little larger meal but that would have to be at least an hour before I head out to leave time to digest.
What is your most memorable run?
It was last year on an all day excursion with the Bimbler trail running club. We went up to the northwest section of CT for a run we call the "Spring Loop." It starts near Mohawk Mountain and takes the entire Mohawk trail around to the Appalachian Trail and back to the starting. The terrain was so technical and rugged but the views were absolutely spectacular. It was also one of the most difficult runs, and the furthest I had ever run at one time. The total distance was around 38 miles but it took us almost 11 hours to finish. We finished by stuffing our faces at the local dinner.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
I am motivated by competition. I am always preparing for an upcoming race or endurance event. I plan my year to focus on 2 races a year with all the other events as training/fun races that I can enjoy without the pressure to perform. It keeps my stress levels lower and lets me enjoy training just in case I miss a planned run. I'm also motivated by the people I run with. The running community is a great place to meet people and make new friends and we all help each other reach our goals.
Okay, now for the dirt — what pet peeves do you have about other runners?
On the trails, I hate when people listen to music and don't move over when you want to pass. I think many people would agree, especially during a race! On the road, I don't like when people take themselves too seriously. There are only a very small percentage of people who are at an elite running level and those people who think they are special really tick me off.
How has your dedication to running positively affected other parts of your life?
Being fit always puts me in a good mood and I always feel great after a good workout. I almost always have extra energy to do things outside of workouts. I've also made great friends and we regularly hang out outside of running.
Tell us about a funny memory you have from the trails.
I was on a long out and back trail run with some Bimblers up on the Nipmuck trail system in Mansfield, CT. We had planned to start at 6 pm to practice running in the dark. The first half of the run was fine and it was still light enough to see the trail markers. On the way back we made a wrong turn and completely lost the trail. At one point we saw some glowing eyes in the distance which could have been a deer, coyote, or something else. Nevertheless we didn't want to stick around there much longer. We finally made it out to a road but my phone had died and we were all running low on water, food, and our energy. By now it was the middle of the night and we have no idea how far from the cars we were. I was able to start up my phone for about a minute to see where we were before it died again. We ended up taking the road for the rest of the run and we finished around 1 am. A bit scary, but we made it back. I then had a 2 hour drive home, which led to a great day to sleep in the following morning.
What is the best piece of running advice you ever received?
Listen to everyone, follow no one.
What advice would you give to beginners?
Stay consistent. It gets fun, but the beginning might suck. Cross-training is vital. Study the body and how we are supposed to move and you will have a greater understanding of how to be your best athlete and stay injury free. And lastly, the human body can do a lot more than people think it can, push your boundaries every day.