Runner Chronicles: Craig Engels
The Runner Chronicles
The man with the mustache, mullet, and speed. We welcome Craig Engels for the next Chronicles, and we’re excited. An extraordinary runner who takes the running world to the next level, both for the joy of the sport and his performances (and for the moms out there). Yes, if you don’t know who Craig is, just look for the most vibrant and smiley person on the track, and that’s him.
Craig is an American middle-distance runner, known for his charismatic personality and impressive performances. He specializes in events like the 1500 meters and has competed at the elite level in various international competitions. His personality, which blends humor with determination, has made him a fan favorite.
Craig is known for his strong finishing speed and has become a prominent figure in the U.S. middle-distance scene. His journey in professional running is marked by resilience and a dedication to improving his performance. In terms of his training, Craig has worked with renowned coaches like Jerry Schumacher, who has guided other high-profile athletes. His story highlights the combination of hard work, passion for the sport, and a lighthearted attitude that endears him to many in the running community. We got in contact with him for the Chronicles because we wanted to know more about his story, his secrets to success and positivity, and, most of all, what he keeps in his fridge — it says a lot about a person, we believe.
Craig, I’m thrilled you are a part of our Runner Chronicles. You really don’t have to introduce yourself, but if you feel like it, go ahead!
What is up legends!? Thanks for having me be a part of this. I’m Craig Engels. Son of Todd and Dawn Engels, brother to Courtney Engels and newly minted uncle of a boy named Leon. I’m from North Carolina but now claim the entire United States as my home in my RV. I love traveling, new experiences, adrenaline, and meeting people. My “job” is hilarious. I’m a professional runner for the United States and sponsored by Nike. I pretty much “work” 10-20 hours a week and try to recover and enjoy life the rest of the hours.
It’s a really cool career that allows me to do mostly whatever I want, sans some ski trips, weddings, and adventures. My dream in life is to make a metric crap-ton of money off rich people with far too much money and give back to the common person through construction of necessary and unnecessary buildings and structures, and experiences that add to our pursuit of happiness and a sense of community. I really love clean energy production and I’m obsessed with nuclear energy but unfortunately was gifted with athletic genes rather than a mathematical fortitude.
How did you get into running?
I ran in middle school when I was heartbroken to not make the soccer team. I wasn’t very good until my absolute last race where I ended up will the city/county meet in the 800. Then I went to high school and picked soccer back up before getting kicked off the team for a 3 strike policy lol. It’s a good story for another day that I’m not even sure is true or I’ve just glorified in my head, reinforcing every-time it’s told.
I decided to give full time running a go my Junior year where I was coached by Chris Catton. By the end of my senior year I had gone from 4:44 in the mile to 4:03, and 2:08 in the 800 to 1:49. I didn’t know running was even a collegiate sport but ended up doing that for 5 years.
You have brought so much joy to the sport of running. What’s the key to your positivity, and how are you always smiling?
I think I just have a realistic grip on how unimportant and comical the task of running fast, and turning left in minimal clothings and metal bottomed shoes really is. It’s always a wonder to me why sports and athletes are so heralded in our society when it should be the teachers, blue collar workers, and other people behind the curtains doing all the actual important work. I’m very thankful that I have a part in this sport so any time I can be healthy enough to compete, you’ll find it hard to wipe a smile off my face.
Tell us about your favorite race/event that you ever participated in.
Probably high school Penn Relays mile. My high school 4x800 traveled up there and raced the relay then I got to do the individual mile. It was awesome having my closest friends there for one of the biggest wins of my career.
Amazing, and the most defining moment for you so far?
Winning USA Championships in the 1500 was the pinnacle of my career. My entire extended family was there and that was the last time my grandparents were able to travel so that will always be special.
What’s in your fridge at the moment?
My self-control comes at the grocery store. I buy sustainably raised meats, rice, sweet potatoes, frozen veggies and fresh fruits. Now when I’m at a friend’s house, or out to eat, all health flies out the window and I can’t stop eating anything around me.
I have absolutely no self control around sweets. As a runner I’ve found that eating healthy is super important, but also to never stress over it. The stress produced is what causes all the diseases, bad mindsets, and can even ruin fitness.
Funniest picture on your phone and the story behind it.
Honestly it’s probably an inappropriate photo from my high school flip phone of my friend changing the letters of a McDonald’s sign.
You’re know for not giving up on your social life for training. Some coaches might discourage athletes from having too much fun outside of training.
Haha this is a great topic and I’m sure if I was a coach, I’d hate coaching myself. I mentioned stress before. Stress is the worst possible thing for an athlete. It will hinder recovery, cause negative thoughts, and reduce performance. It’s literally a performance dehancing drug.
I avoid stress like the plague, and if I were to sit at home playing video games or watching tv I would be stressed that I’m missing out on life. To cope with this, I typically find myself hanging out with friends or doing things that I want to enjoy life.
What’s one thing you refuse to give up, even if it doesn’t fit the typical ‘pro runner lifestyle’?
Haha I have a few things that probably aren’t socially acceptable enough yet to mention but I will not give up other sports. I love golf, disc golf, spikeball, volleyball, rock climbing. A lot of people could view these as bad for running, but I go in with mindset that they’re helping me be more athletic.
A lot of people assume professional runners live like monks—early nights, strict diets, no partying.
Most do. A lot of the new breed of runners are robots. They’ve done the sport seriously since middle school, giving up on the social aspect of their life, and having hobbies that don’t conflict with recovery. I tried that lifestyle before the Olympic trials last year and I’ve never hated who I was more than that year. It was the most selfish and boring I’ve ever been.
What’s your best ‘I had way too much fun, but somehow still crushed my run the next day’ story?
Man, younger Craig has some wild stories where those Sunday long runs were jet fueled from the night before. Older Craig is much more tame but I remember once in high school staying up the entire night… not one minute of sleep, then hitting a 12 mile run at 530 pace.
Running at an elite level takes a toll both physically and mentally.
I love high pressure. In any aspect of life that’s when I perform best. So that is my mindset and the mindset of anyone successful.
If you weren’t a professional runner, what do you think you’d be doing right now?
I would either be a hobo in an RV or would have worked my way up as high as I could at a nuclear power plant. That, or I would own a dog hotel lol.
How do you see the future of middle-distance running in the U.S.? Any young athletes you think people should be watching?
It’s insane. I’m not sure how the landscape will look if college sports drop the ball on non revenue sports. In the current time period there are so many young athletes that are going to crush records and win medals at every championship. Again, so many are robots to me but I just hope they are happy.
You’ve got one last race in your career. Where would you want it to be and who would you want in the field?
I want a midnight, unsanctioned road mile in NYC with my friends and family there.
A lot of young runners look up to you. What advice would you give to an aspiring middle-distance runner?
Have fun. Don’t put too much pressure on the future. Be present and do as much as you can everyday to be the best person you can.
