OK, let’s have a fun, unofficial vote to decide which of 43-year-old Aaron Skolnik’s recent race performances impresses you the most.
Is it:
>a) The 57-minute time he ran to win the recent Bucks County Roadrunners Club’s Winter Series Terrible Tyler 9.3-miler.
>b) A 4:41 mile he clocked in the Yardley Main Street Mile last year.
>c) Completion of the 13.1-mile 2025 Princeton Half-Marathon he ran in 1:19 to finish seventh overall.
>d) Speeding to a 2:49 in last fall’s Philadelphia Marathon to finish ninth out of 689 racers in the 40-44 age group.
>e) All of the above.
If you chose “e,” you probably went with the popular, odds-on favorite.
That’s because the Yardley runner is really hitting his stride at all distances as he heads into his “second” racing career.
Skolnik, a native of Seattle, was a strong runner in his youth, eventually competing for Division III Brandeis University in the Boston area.
Following four years of study at Northwestern University in Chicago with an intention to become a radiologist, Skolnik later drifted away from running for about 11 years to go raise a family (with wife, Julia, and their two children) and concentrate on his professional career.
But when he chose to resume racing, he did so with a bang.
What went into the decision?
“I think it’s the discipline for me,” he explained in a recent telephone interview. “What happened to me was I was distracted by the various life challenges for many years. Rigorous school, a family with kids. All the responsibilities with that. I had difficulty training for many years.
“Then I got to a point where I realized this is me. I needed to feel like myself. If I have to run before and after work, I do that many days. On the weekends, I figure out a way that works in my busy life which I can manage. I’ve needed to find an equilibrium with that. But I’ve also gotten to know my body more through training over the years.”
Moving into the masters’ division a few years ago, Skolnik learned such a transition can have its ups and downs. It’s just a scientific fact that we’re expected to slow a bit as we age. But at the same time, we pick up knowledge about how to be better runners and that can be valuable information for training, etc.
“I just feel like there’s a wisdom from running through the years,” Skolnik said. “I know how hard I can push myself. I have bumped up my training in the last two years. I’m not running the times I did when I was 32 but I’m training better, smarter, more than I did at that time. So I’m happy where I’m at.”
Skolnik, who is employed by Princeton Radiology (which has an office in Newtown), credits the BCRR Winter Series for some of his recent success. He finished in the top three a number of times last year and this year has stepped it up a notch.
It never gets old beating those 25-year-olds in a race for first place, does it?
“I was competitive last year,” he said. “Got second and third in a number of races. And I was first in one race.
“This year I think I’m in better shape. I ran the Philly Marathon in the fall. I was in marathon shape for that. Tried to sustain somewhat after that.”
Looking back, following graduation from Northwestern, Skolnik headed east and joined the Princeton company. He has easy access to both office locations.
Why radiology?
“I like the visual aspect of it,” he said. “It’s like solving puzzles visually. Making a diagnosis. I sub-specialize in neurology, I’m interested in brain and spine, those are my areas of focus. It’s fascinating and challenging.”
There might be some connection between his profession and his favorite exercise activity.
“Running has always been a passion of mine,” he said. “There’s some connection with health care, for sure.”
Making new friends/training partners in the Winter Series has certainly helped his running.
Being the only runner to break an hour in the Terrible Tyler has just added to his confidence.
“I’ve felt good recently,” he said. “It was a challenge that day for a few reasons: One, it was ultra-cold. Two, they modified that course because of the recent snow. There were a couple areas that were snowy and icy. But most of the course was on pavement.
“I tried to keep an even pace. By the end of the race I had more in the tank. Pushed it at the end.”
In his younger days, Skolnik clocked a 16:04 for 5K, a 1:14 for the half-marathon and a 2:41 in the Philadelphia Maathon.
He credits his traning group with BCRR at Tyler for much of his success.
“It feels unique, it’s the perfect escape from the usual winter worklife,” he said. “I do work at a computer all day. Just to get out with nature and fly through the beautiful park, connecting with the other runners, it’s been really exhilarating for me.
“You feel the camaraderie the first time you come to a race. The fact that this has been going on for so many years, so many people know each other so well. Then after the race, the gathering. The volunteering, you really get to know people. I’ve gotten to know people kind of in my range, kept in contact between last winter and this winter. I’ve definitely made new friend
>Race calendar
>Sunday
BCRR Winter Series Eenie-Meanie-Minie-Moe Half-Marathon, 9 a.m., Tyler State Park, Newtown. Contact www.bcrrclub.com
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