Mark Robinson, 27 Physician's Extender, Athletic Trainer, Personal Trainer, and Tumbling coach/instructor I've been running for 15 years. I think I came out of the womb running. I started running because my parents were big into sports. My dad ran a 2:48:00 Boston Marathon and has been hounding me to try and beat him. I am more into triathlons though (only because I don't know how I could beat his time). If I could no longer run, I would crawl a marathon. Or just swim, bike, row, but above all else I would still compete. I love competition. My favorite run is at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I once ran a massive boulder field left by the Colorado River. Amazing scenery. I like to run with my dogs and anybody that loves to run. Something most people don't know about me is that i can do a standing back flip, and I won the Rockford Kickboxing toughman in 2002. My favorite thing to do after a hard workout is take an ice bath. I know I am crazy, but my muscles love me after the first five minutes of torture.

When I'm not running I like to walk and spend time with the mrs. She puts up with a lot of crap.

I am inspired by motivational quotes and anyone that does anything amazing or overcomes great adversity to reach a goal. Going above and beyond.

I've run 2 marathons while carrying a 3 x 5 foot American flag. I read about someone doing it in a magazine. I have always wanted to try. I have friends and relatives in the military. I figure what better way to show support than to put my body through a little bit of torture. The first one I ran, was in the quad cities and I got such a great response. A lot of people thanked me for doing it and told me that they had a son or dad or uncle in the military and they appreciated it. The people cheering on the roadside would get up and take off there hats or cover their hearts. It was very emotional and amazing how a symbol can bring about so much happiness. The roar of the crowd at the end was very motivating. It brought tears to my eyes. And of course it was awesome the first time, so i had to try it again. And what better time than Rockford's first marathon held in over 20 years. Plus, the burn in my shoulders was so strong that my legs didn't even hurt.

The local runner I most admire is Ed Clucas. I don't know how young he is, but his outlook on life and running is awesome.

To push myself on a run, I think about all the races I have signed up for (and I know I better get moving). I set time goals. I do all kinds of distances with all different kinds of races. I run on all types of terrain.

My greatest running accomplishment is finishing a marathon with a flag. 26.2 miles...ouch. I planned on changing hands every mile. At mile 15 I started to change every minute it seemed like. I sat in an ice bath for 30 minutes like I usually do, but I also had 2 frozen bags of peas on each shoulder. Feel the burn.

My next goal is to do the Hawaii Ironman before I am 30.

My advice to other runners....Think about what life would be like if you were out of breath at the top of a flight of stairs. Think about what the world would look like if you only see it from the inside of a car (there are just some places that cars can't go). Think about all the wonderful food you can eat and then burn off. And if you are not running fast enough, imagine a crazy dude chasing you... and then run faster.

I plan to run until they prove that you can trade in your wings for a pair of running shoes.

Favorite Quotes...Parties who want milk should not seat themselves on a stool in the middle of the field in hope that the cow will back up to them. – Elbert Hubbard

I do not fear failure. I only fear the "slowing up" of the engine inside of me which is pounding, saying, "Keep going, someone must be on top, why not you?" – Gen. George S. Patton Jr.

The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion when no one else is watching. – Anonymous