Name: Surena F. Matin, aka “Misty’s husband”. My last name used to be Fazeli-Matin but I was asked to de-hyphenate as a condition of marriage.  Seriously though, it’s made life a whole lot easier.

Birthday: May 24. 

Place of Birth: Tehran, Iran. Moved to Italy before I was 2. Came to the States when I was 9.

Marital Status: Married, with child. 

Children: Nina.  4 months old and the love of my life.  The first thing we started scoping out after we found out we were expecting was a baby jogger.

Pets: Cat, Leyla. She has been demoted since Nina’s birth.  Anyone want to adopt an 11-year old calico with a ‘little GI condition’?  She’s very cute….

Occupation: Urologist. I specialize in the treatment of kidney and prostate cancer.

Education: Yes, constantly.

Hobbies: Training for triathlon (and sometimes I participate); windsurfing; I used to work with clay until life got more complicated.

Years Running: Casually for 10 years or more.  More purposefully for 3+ years, ever since I started doing triathlons and running with MPRC.  I still remember one of the first long runs I did with the group: I barely managed 8 miles, and only that much thanks to conversation which kept my mind off the struggle. I went home and emptied my guts for the next 2 hours. 

Just to be clear, I don’t have that last problem anymore!

How many miles a week do you run?Anywhere from 10 to 30 depending on where I am in the training cycle.

How many times a week do you run? 2 to 3 times.

How did you come to join MPRC: My wife met Pat Nelson at St. Lukes shortly after we moved here from Cleveland, and she joined the club.  I started running with the group about a year later.

Proudest running accomplishment: 1. Great Pumpkin 5K Run 2007-- 20:08
2. Longhorn Half Ironman 2008 --1:50:54 run split

The half marathon run at the end of the Longhorn was tough.  I was very happy to cross the finish line with John Cody who kept me going the last few miles.

My favorite training run: Garages. If the timing and weather is right and you’re on the roof of the garage when the sun comes up, it’s a beautiful sight to share with your running partners.

My favorite race is: The Houston Half.  The Chicago Triathlon was also quite fun. I would love to do that again with some friends.

I run because: It keeps me healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually.  And it’s a great way to hang out with friends.
Running advice / Favorite running mantras: 
One foot in front of the other.
Breathe. Squeeze the lemon. (It’s a visual with my adrenal glands—get your mind out of the gutter!)

Currently signed up for any other races: None.  I will be cheering on Misty as she gets back into the running groove after Nina’s birth. She’s been very supportive of my hobbies so I want to be there for her. But maybe I’ll do a few 5k’s, sprint or Olympic tris along the way.

Shoes you run in: Asics GT2130.  I just got a pair of the wicked orange ones. Other exercises / activities besides running: Swimming, biking, and some weights. Not much time for anything else these days.

Favorite Houston restaurant: Bombay Brasserie in the Village has been a regular for us for the past year.

Favorite book / movie / music : The Scents of Eden / Blade Runner / and a tie between The Police and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Previous Spotlights: Tricia Hernanadez, Nicole Rimmer, Jane Tram Nguyen, Kevin Walter