Welcome to The Runner Diaries, where we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look into a week of training with runners of varying ages, paces and GPS coordinates. Get The Runner Diaries delivered to your inbox, here.

This week we have 28-year-old Max Beitel. Max is currently stationed in Crete, Greece with the United States Navy. A long time weightlifter and fitness enthusiast, Max got hooked on running as an adult and finished his first ultra marathon (a 72k) in 2015. Today, he strives to balance living a healthy lifestyle with his thirst for adventure sports like trail running, rock climbing and canyoning (more on that, later).

The Run Down

Name: Max Beitel
Location: Crete, Greece
Age: 28
Training For: Living the healthiest life I can, physically and psychologically.
Goal race: You never know what race may be the one.
Training plan: Just winging it.
How long you’ve been ‘a runner’: We are all runners at heart. When we are born at first crawl, then walk, and as soon as we can, we run. Many of us get comfortable and succumb to social norms of stagnancy and stop running. There is a runner at the core of us all. Some just act on it, I suppose I am one of them.
Goal weekly mileage: Erm, as many miles as it takes to get me across the finish line.

Runner Statement:

I started running because of my brother’s wife (thank you, Lily!). When they started dating, Lily got him hooked on the sport, and soon, so was I. Up until then I was strictly a weight lifter, focusing on PRs and laughing at the thought of cardio. Our first race was a 7-mile trail race. My brother Christian and I finished 1st and 2nd in our age group. We may or may not have been the only two runners in said age group, but I’ll take it…

Soon after that race, I started getting into triathlons and focusing more on endurance sports. I joined the Navy in the fall of 2015 and found myself stationed on the most incredible island, Crete. I had recently discovered the world of ultra marathons and the ever growing trail running scene, and craved the adventure. Initially upon my arrival in Greece, the goal was to run the Athens Marathon but that was soon replaced by a 72k in France. Upon finishing the run, I was hooked.

Ever since, I have been using running to explore as much as the island I am lucky to call my home. I try to stay well-rounded and am also big on rock climbing and Crossfit / HIIT-style workouts. Although climbing tends to limit my running, I think the experience it provides is invaluable and I have no reservations about nixing a long weekend run for a full day of climbing.

My workouts, both running and HIIT workouts are a combination of knowledge I have accrued over the years through reading and Instagram. Sometimes I do a predetermined Crossfit WOD, but more often I do my own thing. Anything that keeps me on my toes, and pushing myself is a good workout. I try to make every workout full body but change up the movements. Sometimes I will get hooked on a movement and incorporate several workouts in a row. As far as running. I try to alternate my “hard” runs or run-workouts with “easier” slow paced runs. At the end of the day, I strive for an overall level of fitness.

Day One – Monday

0530: Wake up eat a Banana, drink some water.

0610: My morning workout is “Chelsea,” which is Crossfit lingo for:

– @ bodyweight 5-pullups, 10-pushups, 15-squats every minute on the minute   for 30 minutes.

My morning workouts vary, but I like this routine in particular because it’s quick, simple, and doesn’t require equipment.

0730: Breakfast is 3 Hard boiled egg(whites), half a grapefruit, another banana,1 avocado, half cup of coffee, one pancake.

0800: Start work.

0930: Get hungry, I have a bacon sausage double egg cheese tomato on whole wheat.

1100: Lunch time: Chicken, Rice, Large Salad

1400: Another half cup of coffee

1650: Run:

– 5 miles total: 2.5-mile warm up; 7 strides; :30s on, 1:30 off.

1750: Dinner: Pork chop, some mashed potatoes. Salad with chicken, olive oil, lemon and some blue cheese dressing.

1820: Gym time:

– 8 Weighted pull-ups @25#s, 5 single-arm shoulder press @50#s,5 handstand pushups,  decline ab work.

1920: I work on this Run Diary + have a shake (1 egg, two bananas, almond milk, orange juice) Pretzels, string cheese, more dark chocolate.

2000: Shower, stretch, catch up with family and friends back home (time difference struggle!), finish watching Dead Poets Society, and catch an episode of Bob Ross on Netflix

2200: Sleep time!

**Reflecting on the day, I realize I tend to do this — “this” meaning overdoing it. I do it to myself every once and a while when I feel good and motivated. I also eat the same things during the week so I will spare you further details. I try to eat paleo-ish but have no problem indulging. Life is too short not to enjoy the things you love.

Daily Mileage: 5 miles +/- 500ft uphill Continue reading “The Runner Diaries — Max Beitel” →