J Russell Gill III

blog: www.badtothebone.biz/

What are some of your lifetime running goals?:

I want running be a part of a balanced life. I hope to stay injury free and be that REALLY old guy in ultra races that cheers everyone on as he works hard to make the cutoffs. For now, I still feel all my PR’s are ahead of me, that keeps me motivated and the fire burning!

Do you have a claim to fame?:

I once fell during a trail race and hit a tree with my head, the tree was demolished, but my head was fine. I've also won my share of races, come in second too many times to count and have my share of DNF's.

Do you have any vices?:

I REALLY love butter on my movie popcorn!

What makes you tick as a runner and in the real world?:

I have found a lifestyle that allows me to do what I love, run, own a running store and direct races, it doesn't get much better than that...

What drives you to run?:

I love to simplicity of running. There is nothing better that a single track trail above tree line to put all things into perspective.

What is your favorite movie?:

I am a huge movie nut. It would be really hard to pick just one, however, it pushed I would say that “Cool Hand Luke” is in my top ten. What guy doesn’t want to be Paul Newman!

Do you have any nicknames? Explain:

Gill – Several years back Trail Runner Magazine did an article and referred to me as “Gill J Russell”, from then on everyone one I met called me Gill.

What's the longest you've gone without sleep? Why?:

50 hours! I was crewing/pacing my girlfriend (Francesca Conte) at Badwater. We had the Discovery Channel following us around for a special on endurance couples. Between the pre race shooting, Francesca running the race (about 32 hours), post race shooting and interviews, I was awake for over 50 hours. It was so bad that I was falling asleep as we ran/walked our way to the finish up the mountain from Lone Pine.

If you had to be named after one of the 50 states,
which would it be?:

Colorado is my favorite state, I love being above tree line.

What did you have for lunch yesterday?:

I had a sandwich made with fresh mozzarella, tomato, proscuito and basil. Yes, my better half is from Italy.

If you could hook up a thought monitor to your head,
would you see pictures, hear words or would music be
playing?:

There would be music playing with pictures. I may be watching too much VH1...

What really scares you about trail running?:

Not to being able to run. However, I would really prefer not to be eaten by a mountain lion.

If your life was made into a movie, what would it be called?:

"I did it my way" Yes, this is sappy but true.

Where would you live if it could be anywhere in the world?:

Francesca and I would live near where she grew up in the Italian Alps and have a yard full of Saint Bernards.

What's your worst encounter on the trail?:

I nearly froze to death while running the length of the AT through the Smokey Mountain National Forest. For some reason we chose February, not our smartest move.