Steven Moore Runs!

You may think that walking to Welch Hall from satellite parking—perhaps toting a laptop, lunch, books, and paperwork—along with routine sessions on the stair master at Gregory, and even running several miles each day, is a workout. Think again. I met with Steven Moore, the UT Chemistry and Biochemistry Department’s Project Manager for Facilities and Safety, to talk about an amazing achievement of his: on January 10, 2009, he ran 100 kilometers, that’s about 62 miles, over rough hill country terrain, in 10 hours, 34 minutes, and 37 seconds, coming in second place in the Bandera Endurance 100K and beating the times of the previous two year’s winners. This was Steven’s first time to run the race.

When I caught up with Steven he had just returned from a leisurely run from Welch Hall to Town Lake, making a circuit around the Hike and Bike Trail, and then returning to Welch Hall, all during his lunch hour. He seemed as if he hadn’t been any farther than over to O’s Cafe for a quick bite. Athleticism is a natural part of Steven’s life and always has been. Steven began running early. As a child he trained with his father who was also his soccer coach. He continued playing soccer and went on to play Lacrosse. While in college at UT he played for the Lacrosse Club in 1986 and 1987. He continues to make running a part of his own family’s activities. With his wife Sandi, a dietician, he participates in adventure triathlons where the events range from endurance running, mountain biking, kayaking, to even slogging through mud courses. Calvin, Steven and Sandi’s son, is, in Steven’s words, “a sports nut and is currently playing baseball. He has played several years of soccer and one season of flag football. He plays basketball in our driveway and is currently enthralled by his new RipStik (a skateboard type thing).” Steven and Sandi also have a daughter, Sierra, who has played soccer like her dad, but is currently devoted to modern and jazz dance. The entire family rides together to school and work when the weather is nice.

Endurance competitions, also called ultra races, don’t heed the weather. Fortunately, January 10 the weather was kind with a high of 63 and a low of 54. Endurance courses are nothing like the well-manicured, paved courses associated with triathlons. The Bandera 100K ascends and descends over 15,000 feet through rock, cactus, brush, and creek beds. The course is made up of two 31-mile loops through such passes as the Three Sisters, Ice Cream Hill, and the First Big Nasty. Amazingly, out of 137 starters, 114 entrants went on to finish with the last runner crossing the line 22 hours, 6 minutes, and 59 seconds after the start. All runners must finish within 24 hours. Running this kind of distance requires fluids and sustenance. Steven ate his share of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a quick energy “food” source called “goo,” but he finished too early to take in a real meal until the end of the race. For those runners continuing into the night hot food was provided such as burritos and soups.

In talking with Steven I was impressed by his abiding humility about his accomplishment. He emphasized how in the ultra race world he is a novice. I asked him if he used a pacer, someone who runs alongside the competitor to help maintain timing. He told me how a friend and more experienced endurance runner surprised him by using a pacer for the second course of the race. His friend placed third, right after him. I asked him about mental and physical fatigue during the race and how he combats them. “At times you feel the exhaustion, but you just concentrate on the next aid station and making it there. Other times, and these are the times for which I run, your mind is part of the rest of your body and all you feel is your body being propelled into the air in front of you.” When asked about muscle pain after the race by Chairman Dick Crooks, a fellow distance runner, Steven stoically said, “The sorest muscle in my body was my ‘water bottle squeezer muscle’ in my right forearm.”

Steven brings to work with him the same frame of mind that makes him able to run 100K in 10.5 hours over demanding terrain. For the last 28 years he has commuted by bicycle. He approaches challenges at work as he would a run: he assesses a challenge; prepares; and then sees the task through to its end. Furthermore, Steven anticipates the needs of the department. He does this all with the calm and confidence of a true, competitive athlete. While the Bandera 100K was a first for Steven, it’s only the beginning. Steven is anticipating his next major endurance run: he has made it his goal to compete in the Colorado San Juan Hardrock 100-mile endurance run. If you want to catch up with Steven Moore in Welch Hall, you’d better take the stairs.