The running man

“Good things come slow, especially in distance running.” —Bill Dellinger, Oregon track and field coach.

SANDPOINT — Even though he’s essentially racing against himself, Sandpoint’s Chuy Fragoso will do well to remember the fable of the tortoise and the hare as he pounds the pavement this weekend during the 24 Hour Cycling for Cystinosis fundraiser.

Fragoso, 37, is attempting to run not one, not two, not even three, but a whopping four marathons in one grueling day. To better understand the magnitude of such an undertaking, consider this: six months ago, Fragoso had never run more than 14 miles at once in his entire life.

So what possessed him to aim so high as to try and eclipse the century mark?

“It’s not about me, but a catalyst to be able to talk about the 24-hour event. That is the main priority,” says Fragoso, who biked in the inaugural event two years ago but said cycling is too painful on his wrists. “If I can add a little bit of a wow factor, catch someone’s attention a little, my objective has been met.”

In preparation of achieving his goal, Fragoso has spent the past six months putting in the necessary road work, more than 130 hours and 960 miles to be exact. He uses no iPod to quell any potential boredom, instead enjoying the rhythmic sound of his footsteps accompanying the myriad thoughts and reflections racing through his mind.

“130 hours not to talk myself out of it,” jokes Fragoso, who believes he’s got a great chance to hit his goal of 105 miles, a benchmark arrived at by multiplying 26.2 miles times four. “In my head I have no doubt (about finishing), barring injury. I’m fired up, I can’t wait, it’s going to be a blast.”

The closest he’s come to the century mark was a 12-hour training run in mid-August where he hit 62 miles, which includes an occasional stop to eat, hydrate and change shoes and socks. His average run during the past six months was 11 miles, while he’s tapered off considerably of late to be fresh for the actual event.

Fragoso, who snowboarded 173 laps during the 24 Hours of Schweitzer fundraiser last winter, hopes to be at 70 miles after the first 12 hours, knowing full well that the final miles will be the true test of his stamina and fortitude.

“The first 50 (miles) is physical, the last 50 is a lot of psychological, a huge roller coaster of emotions,” explains Fragoso of what he’s read in his research. “The longer the distance the higher the highs and the lower the lows.”

Fragoso is self-employed, which has enabled him to put in the requisite training for such an undertaking. His patented curtain release system was recently used in the White House to reveal Beyonce at a state dinner. His equipment is in use all over the United States, and it once toured with Beyonce, what he calls the biggest break in his business.

“I just built a better mousetrap,” concedes Fragoso, who has two children and whose wife Deb is a physical therapist in Sandpoint.

Fragoso has solicited $450 in fixed pledges, and has $27 per mile pledged as of last week. He is also looking for a runner who is willing to run a lap with him at night, no small task as the course lap for he and the many cyclists is 19 miles long. While 105 miles is his goal, in the back of his mind he’s hoping to finish six laps, which would total 114 miles and a lot of sweat and pain.

“I’m excited that I took it on,” says Fragoso. “A year ago I never thought I could.”

Anyone interested in running a lap with Fragoso, or pledging any amount per mile, can reach him at “go2chuy@yahoo.com.”