Scott collage

Meet another member of the American Heart Association’s Minnesota Run with Heart team: Scott Tonneson!

Age

39

Hometown/Current City

Fergus Falls, MN / St. Paul, MN

Number of Marathons

One… 2012 Twin Cities Marathon was my first.

Favorite Race Completed

2012 Twin Cities Marathon

Favorite Location To Train

Last summer running throughout the town of Lyon, France.

Favorite Running Pump-Up Song

I don’t have a favorite, and I switch between wanting to listen to music and wanting silence while running.

My Running Secret

For some of the long runs, I have enjoyed listening to audio books to help keep my mind off the miles and pass time.

Biggest Motivation for Long Runs

When you are running with a group that is running the same distance. That just makes you feel better when so many are tackling the same challenge as you are.

How has heart disease touched you?

My wife had her first heart attack in 2011. She had been training for the Twin Cities Marathon that summer, but instead had a stent implanted at the age of 37. I am absolutely convinced that her strong heart was what helped her survive that heart attack.

Why is running important to you?

I started running shortly after Jen’s first heart attack. For years I watched her train and run many races. At first I ran to keep Jen company on her runs, and to have something in common. Now, I run to help keep me healthy. We can’t choose our genetics, but we can have some impact on what we eat and how well we take care of our bodies.

Motivated? Inspired? Please support Scott’s goal with a donation to the AHA!