Spotlight on Laramie Goode: Running Towards Wellness and Achievement
When he’s not keeping our IT systems running smoothly, Laramie Goode is racking up the miles—fast. A Systems Administrator on our Austin IT team, Laramie has a passion for long distance running, and his hard work has paid off in a big way. On March 23, he was recognized for finishing first overall in the prestigious Austin Distance Challenge, a grueling race series that builds up to the Ascension Seton Austin Half or Full Marathon.
We caught up with Laramie to talk about his journey, training tips, and what fuels his love for the sport.
How long have you been running?
I started running when I was about nine years old. A friend of mine encouraged me to join Cross Country, and from that moment on, running became a part of my life. I ran Cross Country and Track throughout middle school and high school, though my commitment was off and on. It wasn’t until the middle of 2022 that I started taking running more seriously, training for my first 10K race. Since then, I’ve continued to push myself and set new goals.
Any tips for beginners?
Consistency is key. If you can manage to run three times a week, you’ll see noticeable improvement within a few weeks. For those just starting out, I highly recommend signing up for a local 5K and using a structured plan like the Couch to 5K (C25K) program (C25K Plan). This is a great entry point, and from there, you can build up to a 10K, half marathon, or even a full marathon if that’s your goal.
What’s your go-to fuel?
I’m a Clif Bar kind of guy. While I eat all sorts of things, Clif Bars are my most reliable pre-run fuel source—they’re often my breakfast of choice. For longer runs, I rely on Science in Sport (SiS) energy gels to maintain my energy levels.
What do you love most about running?
It’s hard to pinpoint just one thing, but I’d say the feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment it brings me. I love setting goals, working toward them, and challenging myself—both against my own previous records and alongside other runners. Running is also a simple and affordable way to stay active while benefiting my overall health.
Laramie’s passion for running exemplifies the importance of physical wellness and personal discipline, values that translate into his professional life as well. His journey serves as an inspiration for anyone looking to take up a new challenge, improve their well-being, or simply find joy in the process of setting and achieving goals.
Congratulations, Laramie, on this outstanding achievement! We’re proud to have you on the SAM team and look forward to seeing where your running journey takes you next.