Sunday, 10 February 2019 09:24

Phil Pinti – Desert RATS Kokopelli 150 Stage Racer 2019

 

Stage Race Sunday!
Who’s coming to play in the desert this year?

Phil “Macho Man” Pinti, hailing from Columbia, MD, is back for his second crack at the Kokopelli!

Marital Status: Widower
Number of Children: 2
Occupation: 1.) Dad, 2.) Analyst
Years running: 15
Years running ultras: 3

Ultras I have done: Labor Pain 12 Hour Endurance Race (50 mile x2; 2017, 2018) (Pretzel City Sports), Mid-Maryland 50K (x3 2017, 2018, 2019) (Bullseye Running), Stone Mill 50 Miler, Schuylkill River 50k, Desert RATS Kokopelli 150 (2018), Devil Dog 100K (Devil Dog Ultras).

Favorite race and why: The Desert RATS race: This stage race was everything I hoped it would be, and more. The race is a class act from the bottom up and being immersed with such stellar athletes for a week out in the desert is life changing. . . “It’s only once we venture to our absolute limits do we realize our true potential.”

Best results in races: Dam Yeti 50K (Yeti Trail Runners) in Damascus, VA. June 2nd 2018; 5th place male; 9th place overall.

Tell us something about yourself, running related or other: I like to live by Bart Yasso’s quip, “Never Limit Where Running Can Take You.” Many of the challenges and difficulties we face in life (and running) are self imposed. . . release the chains of self doubt and embrace your Life.

What’s your favorite way to train for Desert RATS: Running hill repeats near my children’s school, and by running “off of the grid,” sans Garmin, watch, and cell phone and just enjoy the act of being out in nature, untethered to technology… helps when running in the desert for hours on end.

What are your goals for Desert RATS: Having completed the Desert RATS race last year I’m looking forward to every moment of the adventure in 2019. I’m excited to meet the new class of Desert RATS family and my (training) motivation is fostered in the collective physical feats of endurance, ‘ultra’ knowledge and experience, and unmasked personalities of this year’s RATS family. Looking forward to make you acquaintance! And to be reacquainted with the Desert RATS Staff and volunteers, y’all are the best crew a runner could ask for… I’ve missed you all.