Montauk Pioneer - June 6, 2008

Last Saturday, starting at 6:30 a.m. at Montauk Point, Ira Zaroff started off on a 120 mile run to help raise money and awareness for the Friends of Karen Charity that focuses on assisting young children with cancer. The run ended Sunday at around 12:30 p.m. in Woodmere, Long Island. Ira explained in the beginning that he had to make sure he ran slowly so he didn't burn up too much energy.

Ira is a lawyer at Zaroff and Zaroff in Melville, Long Island and has been running for around 7 years, or since the birth of his two daughters. His wife and dad are attorneys in the firm and his mom works there too. Ira claims to burn from 600 to 1000 calories per hour on his ultra marathon runs. He tries to eat about 200-350 calories per hour using popular gels and power bars. He also said every 5 hours he takes a Boost Plus Insure pill that has 350 calories. He drinks water, and sports drinks as he runs, somewhere around 20 ounces per hour.

His wife Karen and father Richard were nearby during the whole 30-hour, 13-minute run. Ira said at the 50 mile point around Eastport he hit the wall. "I felt tired, I felt like there was no way I could run another 70 miles."

But he worked through it and then ran one of his best 50 mile stretches ever. Running Sunday was brutal due to the exposed route with the humidity sun beating down on him. Ira explained, "Because the route is so simple, it is tough to stay focused. It's not like running through the mountains. I try to average about 11 miles an hour when I am running, but overall you must walk, eat and drink. So I think my overall pace was a slow 17-minute mile."

During the 30 hours when you feel like you want to sleep you can't. He did want to sleep and his body did tell him that but his iron will power got him over that. Ira has run ultra-marathons that range from 50 to 100 miles. He has run 9 regular marathons and is a member of the New York City Roadrunners Club as well as the Long Island Runner's Club. He sponsors his Long Island Marathon run to raise money for The Friends of Karen Charity also. "Friends of Karen is the charity I will continue to support," said Ira from his air-conditioned office only 24 hours after running 120 miles.

Ira trains by running around 60 to 65 miles per week, usually in the morning. He figures that takes up to 30 hours a week, but he is always ready for his daughters. "Running never has and never will be an excuse for not going to a birthday or event with my daughters."

According to Ira, running these long distances is 75% mental. "You have to force yourself to eat to get those calories. At first it's easy, but later in the run you have to force-feed yourself. It's so important to not run too fast, you have to make a conscious effort to slow yourself down, especially on flat long courses."

He never overtrains and preparations never exceeds running more then 30 miles before ultra-marathon events. Although he ran cross country in middle school, he did not really resume running until his mid twenties. But now it is part of his winning formula of family, daily exercise and community service. He is a graduate of Pace Law School. So what did he do after completing the 30-hour 13-minute run in Woodmere?

"I got out of the sun. I had to greet some people, but went home to take a cold shower. I felt some minor heat exhaustion so I went home. I was in bed by 7 p.m. and had a good 12 hours sleep."

Ira has been running to raise money for the Friends of Karen for two years now; he enjoys having the opportunity to do his part. Nancy Mariano the Regional Director of Friends of Karen, is proud of Ira's efforts. "The money he raises helps. When people like Ira contribute it is wonderful."

For more information she can be reached by dialing 631-473-1768 about the charity.