From the August 2004 issue of Runner's World
When you want to run fast what music will you listen to?
"You know what's really odd? This is funny. I play traditional Irish music. I play fiddle. Sometimes I listen to a really great jig. That's really a fun up-tempo thing. But Coldplay is pretty good too for picking up the pace. With the African music I literally just pretend I'm some sort of Ethiopian and I feel twenty pounds lighter."
Is there one outfit you always wear or a particular sneaker?
"No. I kind of switch around. It's ridiculous, actors get free schwag all the time. Nike or Adidas, or somebody, is giving you something fee. It's ironic, the moment you can actually afford it. You're a starving artist and the moment you get like a television show, or something like that, and you can afford to buy nice athletic gear they give it to you for free."
What sneakers are you using now?
"I run in a pair of Asics, that I actually bought myself, and a pair of Pearl Izumis that I was given."
Which Asics are they?
"The Gel-Nimbus. Great, really comfortable running shoe."
Do you usually run alone?
"I run alone except when I visit my brother. We run together all the time. He lives in California actually. Santa Cruz is one of the great running spots on the planet. They've got these amazing forests and they have the beach. It's just perfect."
Do you ever run with your dogs?
"Yeah, I do. I run with one of my dogs, Buddy, all the time. I ran with him this morning."
What kind of dog is he?
"He's a mutt. He's an Airedale, Terrier and Lab mix. I have to drag him up the hills but once we get on a trail he's good to go."
I know David Duchovny has been quite vocal in his Malibu Triathlon defeat.
"I know he really is. I found it to be so funny how many people have contacted me about that. What's funny about David Duchovny is that he's a fantastic swimmer but he literally saunters around after the swim. It's really funny. He'll be the first out of the water every race. I've raced him three times. But it's like he's on a casual stroll after that. I found it really funny that he's upset that I beat him all the time because during the race he doesn't seem concerned at all. He's a total sweetheart that guy."
You'll do Malibu again as the reigning champion?
"Yeah, probably."
Has your time improved over the three years?
"It's kind of depressing, but no. They are about the same. The swim, of course, every year is totally different. You can get a tide. The swim, in most ocean tris, are very varied. My bike and my run have gotten a little bit better--just seconds. It's kind of frustrating."
Has the celebrity field changed much?
"A lot of the same guys are there, like David Duchovny is always there and Jon Cryer is always there. A lot of the same guys are there. Will Ferrell was there one time. He's hysterical and a very nice guy too."
Is there anybody on The OC who is a runner?
"Not on the cast too much. They do a lot of yoga and Pilates. I know Ben McKenzie goes to the gym a lot. They're young; they don't need to run. It's only when you get older. If you want to have desert you've got to run it off."
I am not sure if you can answer this, but is your character coming back next season to The OC?
"I am really like the last guy to know. I suppose it's me, then the audience a couple of months later. I don't know. We all get along really well. I directed one and I think I'll direct some more. I think they want me to come back. It's hard to tell."
