Dathan Ritzenhein: The Not-So-Casual Life Of A Professional Runner
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #4)
Posted April 22nd, 2008 at 7:30 PM by Dathan Ritzenhein
Section: Elite Athlete Blogs, Dathan Ritzenhein
Welcome to the official blog of top U.S. distance runner Dathan Ritzenhein! Check back every other Tuesday for Ritz’s latest entry at http://dathanritzenhein.thefinalsprint.com/ as he prepares to represent the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics!
This week I went looking to trade in our truck for a more eco-friendly, family-friendly vehicle. While I thought I found something I liked, it wasn’t quite what my wife had in mind. Apparently a coupe isn’t as practical as a sedan when kids are involved. While we were there I was asked my occupation by the salesman. I always hesitate when answering this question because responding with “professional runner” isn’t a typical, run-of-the-mill occupation. Even here in Eugene, track town, USA, I still get odd looks and unusual responses to that answer. Such as, “You run for fun? What kind of job is that?” or “Wow! You must have a lot of time on your hands if all you do is run!” Well, I thought I would answer that response first by saying, I’m actually very busy, and secondly I will give a common play-by-play of my daily life.
First off, I have to say I am one of the luckiest people in the world, meaning I love my job. I get to do what I’m passionate about. My job is my hobby, my release, my exercise, my breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, it isn’t an easy job by any means. Being a professional athlete your day does not begin at 9 o’clock and end at 5 o’clock, or some version of an 8 hour day. Athletes live a job that is 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And it’s not only the athletes that endure these grueling hours, it’s their families too. It becomes a lifestyle to which the whole family has had to adapt.
My days generally begin around 7am, when I wake up and have my breakfast of champions, tea with milk and a Cliff bar. I check my e-mails, respond to as many as I can, and then get ready to go out the door for my first run of the day. Normally I drive to where I am running that morning, and then run from our house in the evening, or on the anti-gravity treadmill. Depending on the day, practice can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 3 hours. I try to get in a good stretch afterwards and refuel immediately following the run. Afterwards, I head to the gym. I go to the DAC (Downtown Athletic Club) to do abs, lift weights, and do stretching. The club is great because the staff at the DAC is so knowledgeable and many of their clientele are also athletes, so it’s nice to see people working toward the same goals. After the club I normally go for a massage or have a chiropractor appointment, depending on which day of the week it is. Then I head home to grab a bite to eat. I try to relieve my wife of baby duty for an hour to 75 minutes so she can go for a run, too. Sometime between 2 and 3 in the afternoon I try to take a nap, or at least lie down and recharge my body before my second run. With the sun setting later these days I am able to head out the door around 5 o’clock. This run is usually shorter, ranging anywhere from 40 minutes to 80 minutes. When I get home I stretch, shower, and then eat dinner with my family. The rest of the night I spend with my wife, baby and dog. I try to head to bed by nine o’clock, lights out at ten. On average, my Monday through Friday follow this schedule, varying a little depending on what is going on, if there is a race, or my wife does a workout, or if we have friends over and what not. Oh, and not to forget, now that I have a baby, throw in a couple of dirty diaper changes in there as well.
Now, if I have an injury that opens up a whole new can of worms. Having an injury does not involve sitting around, or taking time off by any means. It actually takes up more time, because any miniscule ounce of free time I did have is replaced with icing, or added doctors appointments, cross training or driving up to Portland to see Doctors or get help from Nike. I have been lucky to have so much support when these things happen, allowing me to get back out there and compete as soon as I can.
I truly believe that consistency and the little things play a major role in taking one’s running to the next level. Sometimes I get the response, “aren’t you missing out on so many things, such as skiing, snowboarding, dancing, mountain biking, etc.?” But I don’t see my life as missing out; I see it as reaching my maximum potential. And if I have to postpone these little things till I’m older that is fine, because in this occupation you don’t have until you are 65 to accomplish everything you want. Everything in this career is condensed into 10-15 years. That is why I try to be as diligent as possible, making sure I stretch, eat right, get enough sleep, hydrate. I feel that everything adds up, and can make or break you sometimes.
Luckily, I have a supportive family that understands the demands of a runner’s lifestyle. Kalin does everything I can’t. I think we are a pretty good team. If I didn’t have her I would not be where I am today.
– Dathan
To comment on this entry and to send feedback & questions to Ritz, please click here.
PHOTO: Courtesy of the New York Road Runners
Related Stories:
- Nick Symmonds: A Typical Day in the Life of a Pro Runner (Elite Athlete Blog Entry 25)
- Dathan Ritzenehin:
Back To Boulder
(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 14) - Dathan Ritzenehin: Post-Olympic Marathon Blog
(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 13) - Jon Rankin: Limitless
(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 18) - Dathan Ritzenhein: Next Stop … Beijing Olympic Marathon
(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 12)
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The Final Sprint
This is your best blog so far. Thanks for sharing your personal life.
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:50 pm“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” COLOSSIANS 3:17
Dathan,
Thanks for these behind the scenes glimpses of life in the Ritzenhein household. May the Lord grant you & your family health as you focus on the Trials 10,000 meters and upcoming trip to Beijing.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:48 pmHey Dathan,
Thanks for sharing a day in your not-so-casual life! I used to run with Meb and the thing that stood out about him from everyone else was never his physical talent; it was his discipline. I’ve never seen anyone be so consistent about doing so much. Even as a student.
I’ve tried to convey that message to others through my blog, but I’ve no doubt it will spread much faster coming from you. All the best in your training for Beijing.
http://www.squidoo.com/dathan_ritzenhein
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:39 amHello again Mr. Ritzenhein,
Thanks again for sharing this insight into your life as a “professional” athlete.
I pass these on to my HS runners and they connect to them very well. You last blog about competition struck home w/ most of my top runners. They could relate to it very well! To be honest I could relate too even though I am a past prime ex runner/soccer player. HAHA!
I appreciate this article because I have some very good runners on our team that would like to run at a top DI college and it shows them a little bit about the commitment and sacrifice we try to instill in them to get there.
Again thanks for opening up and writing these articles. We look forward to more.
We also look forward to watching you win the 10,000 and the Olympic trials.
Best of Luck
PS do you speak German?
Coach Sheard
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:07 pmkaisertimo@aol.com
i would like to get your email or home address, so i can get your autograph for my collection.i have one of the best in the world according to Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter.i have olympic numbers from Jon Brown 2000,2004, Rod De Haven 2004,Tim Broe 2004,Bob Kempianen’s Trials numbers and singlet and shorts from Alberto Salazar,Ed Eyestone,Marc Nenow,Jon Brown,Clint Verran,and Brian sell to name a few.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:48 amthanks hoping to hear from you soon, also would like to get your wife’s autograph too.
“THE RUNNING COLLECTOR”
LOUIE TIEMAN
Great entry and it’s nice to hear you acknowledge how lucky you are… but then you tell us how hard your days are! Just be grateful - no need to justify your lifestyle! A lot of hard work, and probably a lot of luck, have gotten your there.
I also have what I would call a very comfortable life. It’s important to keep in mind how others live and never try to compare our “hard” days with those who are working multiple jobs (both parents!) with night shifts etc. just to try and stay afloat and feed their children.
Good luck!
April 24th, 2008 at 9:29 amHi Ritz:
I just finished reading your latest blog entry.
Congratulations man. You have the coolest job, and best support team that a man can ask: your great wife, your awesome little baby and that little dog of yours.
Reading your latest entry was so motivating and encouraging to keep doing the things I love: medicine and running.
God bless you man, I spect big things from you at the Olympics, no matter if it is the marathon or at the track. God bless your great family and thanks from the heart for sharing your life and inspire all of us
Your friend and not as fast as you runner:
Santiago Rios Torres
April 24th, 2008 at 10:02 amQuito - Ecuador
Great write up. I’ve been wanting to read the in’s and out’s of a pro runner. I know grass is always greener on the other side, but i wish i could on yours. Also bought ‘Showdown’ DVD, very good. Will be in Eugene next week for the marathon, a place i thought i would never be able to go.. To run in the same streets as Pre, will be a highlight in my life. Kick some butt at the Olympics!!
April 24th, 2008 at 1:17 pmI love that you give such credit to your wife! A true man. =)
April 25th, 2008 at 12:06 pmThis is a job where You don’t get any holidays.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:14 pmI admire You and other athletes for being able to push yourselves through such hard (and sometimes boring)training day after day year in, year out.
I guess You are very goal oriented.
Nice to hear about your family: sucess on the road may come and go, but the family is what matters in the long run.
Thanks for sharing.
Good luck in Beijing!
Thank you Dathan for the insight into your daily routine. We can all appreciate here the discipline and dedication it takes to compete at your level. I have a question. With you incurring an injury this spring does that change your plans from running the 10,000 on July 4th in Eugene? Best of luck to you in China.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:33 pmHi Dathan:
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:06 pmI was glad to find your blog. Congratulations on your marriage, daughter and making the Olympics. We are very proud of you and are really rooting for you to do well. Brian is living in Falls Church, Virginia and is working for the Republican National Committee as Director of the Research Operations Center and working about as many hours as you. Hi to Kalin also and good luck to her on the 5/3 run.
I understand that you will be in town for that event. We hope to see you again in the future as it would be great to see you. I don’t know if you know that Gaylord Smith died some time ago. We hope all goes well for you this summer. As you know, you have our total support. Godspeed to you and family.
Floyd and Mary Patrick :
Very inspiring indeed and may everything continue to motivate you each and every day.
October 27th, 2009 at 9:04 pmDathan sometimes guys see you winning a race and think its easy without knowing what you had to put through.
December 28th, 2009 at 3:16 amI saw a documentary of Kenyan marathoners, it was hard to believe someone running daily for over 30miles as part of his routine.
February 6th, 2010 at 7:23 am