Kevin Pierpoint is Running the Distance

The Boston Marathon is one of the oldest and most difficult long distance race in the United States. Campbell resident Kevin Pierpoint, 35, finished in 60th place, with a time of 2:28.

Pierpont is a recent Campbell resident, but he's a proud one. He moved to the Orchard City in January from Palo Alto where he had lived for the last eight years.

His day job consists of managing an office that recruits for hardware and software engineers in Sunnyvale.

Campbell Patch sat down and chatted with him about the race, running and the highs and lows of the Boston Marathon.

Campbell Patch: Where did you grow up?

Kevin Pierpoint: I'm originally from North Carolina. I went to Millbrook High School.

Patch: How did you first get your start in running?

Pierpoint: I always played sports growing up. I think it was the President's Fitness Test where they make you run a mile, and I was far ahead of everyone else.

And in seventh grade, a friend got me to run track, and I seemed to be decent at it. I've been running now for about 20 years.

Patch: Was this your first time running the Boston Marathon?

Pierpoint: It was my second time doing the Boston Marathon.

Patch: Why this particular marathon?

Pierpoint: It’s the marathon to run in the U.S. It's hard to get into; there's a lot of standards.

A few of my friends from high school qualified this year, and we all decided to go and run it.

Patch: How did your experience this year compare to the last?

Pierpoint: It was similar. This year I ran 2:28 and in 2009, about 2:29 but both were pretty close—only about a minute difference.

Patch: How did you prepare for this race?

Pierpoint: I still run, 5k and 10ks. I like to run a lot of races, longer distances. The last two months before the marathon I focused on the longer stuff.

Patch: Where do you run locally?

Pierpoint: Now, I run a lot on the Los Gatos Creek Trail, but I work in Sunnyvale and go from my office or other places in the area.

I go to Rancho San Antonio a lot, in Cupertino.

Patch: What is it about running that keeps you interested, wanting to still do it?

Pierpoint: Probably for me, I’m a pretty competitive person in general. It's fun for me to do that. I keep running, because I like the way it makes me feel, but it's more about the competition.

Patch: So what's next for you?

Pierpoint: I'm part of the Asics Aggies Club, which has been around since the mid 1970s. We find things to do together. For instance, we are doing Bay to Breakers next month.

Patch: What was the biggest hurdle for you while you were running the Boston Marathon?

Pierpoint: The biggest hurdle, to be honest, I didn’t feel very well in general, just breathing a little harder than normal.

The race, it’s famous for a lot of big hills, right toward the tail end. Those were my biggest challenge. It's always tough to get up and over those things.

Patch: Was there ever a moment of self doubt, that you thought you may not be able to finish?

Pierpoint: I think everyone kind of goes through that, probably with about three miles to go.

I never questioned finishing, but am I going to get there? I had friends there that were cheering for us. One was at mile 25. I used my friends as motivation.

I think it’d be a little disappointing if they’re there waiting and you never came by.

Patch: What advice would you give new runners?

Pierpoint: I just say, running is tough sport, it’s the best thing for you, health wise, but it's hard. Ease into it. Don’t do too much at once.

You have to enjoy it at first. Once you enjoy it and it's in your blood, then start looking to other things like marathons.

Find other people that also enjoy running or have a common goal, because it will help you stay focus and dedicated to the cause.

Hopefully, I will be doing some of the races in the area soon.