Marathon Runners Helping Children

Ten thousand people ran in order to support disadvantaged children. Employees of ŠKODA also took part in this charity project. One of them ran 43 kilometers for children.

18. 9. 2017 Škoda World

From the 7 to 16 September, Vítkov Hill in Prague belonged to runners, where the third year of the Teribear Moves Prague charity run took place. And the run managed to overcome all of its previous records.

On the track, contestants from every age category set off. Not even the dull and cool weather which covered Prague derail anyone. All of the contestants spoke highly of the many accompanying events, be they sportive or cultural.

Traditionally, ŠKODA AUTO has also participated in the run with Teribear whether through a general partnership or the participation of its employees. At the top of our “factory” peloton, our two top runners— long distance specialists Miloslav Kozák and Pavel Novotný— should have stood together.

TERIBEAR MOVES PRAGUE 2017

During the course of the event over 10,000 people, which is the highest possible capacity currently available, took part. By the 8th day, registration was closed for other participants due to lack of space.

Another record reached was the number of ran and walked kilometers, which, this year, climbed over 226,000. And the most important record set was the amount raised to aid disadvantaged children. This year’s event exceeded 11 million Kč, which is a 33 percent increase over last year.

Miloslav Kozák, unfortunately, had to run without his colleague Novotný, who had to cancel due to health reasons. Novotný has promised that, health permitting, he will go on to run with the bear in Mladá Boleslav.

Miloslav Kozák was not lost in the field of runners when he ran a total of 43 kilometers, which he broke up in two days over the course of his training. He raised 2,000 Kč for the Teribear charity, and Mr. Kozák plans to increase his contribution financially and in kilometers at the run in Mladá Boleslav on 20 September.

A Storyboard with both runners before the event has provided us two short conversations in which the runners bring the running world closer with their own personal experiences which have accompanied the infinitely long kilometers of track.

DURING EACH MARATHON, YOU REACH DOWN TO THE DEPTHS. BUT THE VERY NEXT DAY YOU ARE PLANNING WHERE AND WHEN YOU’LL RUN AGAIN
So says Miloslav Kozák from ŠKODA, who has extensive experience with running, especially long distance. He talked about his sporting beginnings, about why the choice fell on running and also what kind of dreams he would still like to fulfill in his sporting life.

What was your first impulse to start running?
Running has fascinated me from my youth. But there was a time when I didn’t exercise at all, which began manifest negatively on me. I got as heavy as 96 kilograms and other health problems began to appear. This was the impulse to start to dovsomething about this. And how. I corrected my diet and started to run. That’s how I managed to lose around 25 kilos.

What does running mean to you?
It’s a huge hobby and at the same time, a drug that I can’t begin to imagine my life without. I love all the excitement before a race, when you are still anticipating you will succeed or not at all. I’ll admit, I’m competitive, but team sports aren’t my cup of tea. I like to win or lose all by myself.

Do you remember your first running competition?
Of course. It was 2006 and the course was a 15 kilometer race with the name, Around Macha’s Lake. Nowadays I run around 20 races a year, ranging from 10 kilometer races to marathons.

Do you set down your own training program or do you have a specialist at your disposal?
I have a personal trainer who prepares the weekly structure of the training, and always with regards to the approaching race. The proof that it works is my good placement in the veteran class.

Your running calendar also includes marathons. When did you start them and how difficult was the transition to long distance running for you?
A marathon is something very difficult and painful for me. My first one took place in 2008 in Prague, and from that time onwards, I usually run two a year. To be clear, a marathon isn’t a problem to run, but if you want to finish with a good time, that is quite difficult. For each one, you reach down into the depths of your strength, and you say to yourself, what am I really doing? But the second day, you’re already thinking about of where and when to run the next one.

Professionally, you specialize in waterproofing. How does running in the rain go for you, and do you protect at all against water before a run?
I run all year in all kinds of weather, so I don’t do anything in particular. It’s true, that dressing properly for a run is really alchemy. It’s about not catching a chill, but at the same time, not boiling. In the cold, it is simply fundamental to cover the head and wear gloves. In general, I try to dress as lightly as possible. With speed, the temperature rises, and that can limit in a race.

During a run, do you empty your head or do you think hard about something?
For me, running is great relaxation. During a run I clarify my thoughts and, for example, when I run long distances then I think about various ordinary things of the day. However, during races, especially the shorter ones, I only think about running. As they say, every race is in your head, so you need to get into that if you want success.

What is the biggest running dream that you would like to fulfill?
Nowadays it isn’t about records. Those are, unfortunately, behind me!

My biggest running dream, which I hope I can fulfill, is to run marathons on every continent of the world. From 2011, I’ve already participated in runs in China, India, Japan, Turkey, USA, Canada, Mexico, and in February, I’m setting out for New Zealand.

ŠKODA supports you in running. What does their support consist of?
The support from ŠKODA’s side is above all, financing. Plus, I’m a proud ŠKODA worker, so I’m glad that I can run in a uniform with ŠKODA on my chest. I also participate in various charity events that ŠKODA supports.

One of which is Teribear Moves Prague, right?
I’ve been a part of runs with Teribear since the first year. I always, certainly, try to run as much as possible. But I need to remember that I’m limited by the fact that the running season is limited and I can never completely disrupt the training plan.

What would say to those who would like to start running, but perhaps don’t believe as much?
I would recommend running to anyone who wants to do something positive for their health on the basis of my own rich experiences. Keep in mind that it’s not so important to think about how fast you run or how many kilometers you slice off, but the single fact that you decided to do something for your health is.

STEP AWAY FROM THE TELEVISION AND GO EXERCISE! ONLY THEN CAN YOU TRIUMPH OVER YOURSELF

Pavel Novotný says this to everyone who would like to start running, but hasn’t yet collected their courage. For many years, Pavel has propagated the ŠKODA brand in marathon races around the world.

What was your first impulse to start running?
I’ve done sports since I was a child. In our family, sport has strong roots. I started out in football, dedicated myself to basketball, in my 30s I came to triathlons and 10 years later I started to specialize in marathons and long distance.

What does running mean to you?
The biggest benefit of running is certainly on the health side. It is also a lifestyle, with lots of experiences and friends.

Currently, you run marathons. When you started with them, how difficult was it for you to switch to long distance.
I ran my first marathon in 2011 in Prague. Now I have 23 in my account. In those days, I spent 5 months before the race preparing. The transition to long distance is above all about doing a lot of running, lots of kilometers, and also about your head. But the hard work pays off, in the end, you get the most indescribable euphoria.

When preparing for a marathon, what is, in your opinion, most important?
I start training about a month before the start of the race, when I start adjusting my training for the marathon. Certainly, it’s necessary to run a great amount of distance, keep the right diet, but also I need to have a clear idea of what I want to achieve in the race before the start. But the most important thing is to stay healthy up to the race.

Professionally, you specialize in waterproofing. How does running in the rain go for you, and do you protect at all against water before a run?
I run in all kinds of weather. I don’t perceive this as an obstacle. It’s all about dressing properly.

During a run, do you empty your head or do you think hard about something?
I consider running as its own kind of psychological therapy. It causes oxygenation of the brain, which results in relaxing thoughts and, certainly, thinking about everything possible.

Could you imagine your life without running?
Not only without running, but I can’t imagine life without sports in general. For me, it is an incurable drug.

What is your running dream that you would like to fulfill?
One of my running dreams is to finish a marathon on every continent. Other goals are set before every season. Among those at the moment is an interest in ultra-marathons.

ŠKODA supports you in running. What does their support consist of?
For a number of years, we have been supporting the ŠKODA brand with colleagues in the form of marathons all over the world. We participated in competitions in Turkey, China, India, Japan, USA, Canada and Mexico. ŠKODA contributes to this activity through financial sponsorship.

You are also taking part in the sporting charity event Teribear Moves Prague, which is for those who want to help disadvantaged children.
Before this, I’ve been a part of the run with Teribear two times. In 2015, I ran 42 kilometers, and last year, I ran 55. This year, I would have liked to break the marathon mark again, but I have to admit I’m limited because of health problems.

What would say to those who would like to start running, but perhaps don’t believe as much?
Get up from the television and go exercise. You can start by walking fast and then gradually add running. What is important is that you have triumphed over yourself. In addition, you have started the endorphins of happiness, so that you’ll feel great during the run and experience many beautiful moments.