something with a fast beat and catchy
tune. Black Eyed Peas, VanHalen’s “Right Now”, Classic Motown tunes by
Stevie Wonder, the Temps or Jackson 5, Sugarland’s “It Happens”
Occupation
IT Consultant
Favorite running food
my wife is a strict vegetarian and I
support her when we’re together, but when she leaves, I head to McDonalds to
get Chocolate Chip cookies and a large Diet Coke. I run to each junk
food…sad as that sounds
Any hobbies?
I really enjoy home improvement projects
because it gives me a sense of visual accomplishment that I don’t get in the
other parts of my life.
Who do you train with?
training to me is more group therapy.
I schedule weekly runs with a group of friends and we talk about anything
that’s happened in the past week. Sometimes when you’re a little
relaxed while running and not making eye contact, you can share some pretty
personal stories. I like to drag my stories out since we frequently
have a couple hours. .
Favorite book, what are you reading now?
Favorite – 7 Habits of Highly Effective
People by Stephen Covey.
Personal goals
Eventually complete marathon’s in all 50
states, I’d like to run more ultras because I can justify a slower pace, and
I just started grad classes for my MBA. And my biggest goal is to help
raise 4 responsible, happy, and self-sufficient adults.
Why do you run?
running gives me more energy and a great
stress relief. I’ve got 4 kids ranging in age of 9 to 18 and if I’m not
driving them somewhere, I’m tutoring, coaching, or cleaning up. It also
makes me feel young, no matter what that guy looks like who stares back at me
in the mirror.
Describe your best
marathon memory.
I’m a big Notre Dame fan and I ran the
Sunburst Marathon in South Bend (my dad was there to cheer me on) and I got
to finish on the 50 yard line inside the stadium. It was like I was in
the final scene of the movie Rudy.
Why do you pace?
I get the same rush being a part of someone
else finishing their first marathon as I did when I finished my first.
Tell us your best
pacing experience.
unfortunately the only memories I have are
the very few bad ones. I paced New York City and that race was so
packed that I was running side to side to pass people and the long hills beat
me up. In Salt Lake City, the race was beautiful but the altitude made
it really tough to carry the sign the full distance, and nobody in my group
had the energy either. Now, that being said, Detroit is probably my
favorite race to pace because of the flat course, mild temps and just the
right size.
Why should
someone run in your pace group?
I have a really good ability to help you
forget the discomfort by distracting you. I’m like a one-man vaudeville
show. I will dazzle you with magic, juggling with fire, river dance,
sing, and perform the entire second act of Street Car Named Desire**. (**
some of this may be exaggerated). I will talk with you, cheer you on,
hold you back at first to maintain a good pace, and will tell you funny and
motivating stories. I get lots of hugs after the race, so I must be
doing something right. If you leave the race thinking you could see
yourself running another one, then I’ve accomplished my goal.
Any tips for
runners about to join your group?
best tip for me are:
Train your long run as if that were your “trial”
marathon. Wake up at that time, eat what you will before your race, and
wear the same outfit.
If you don’t mind bananas, then start eating them (or more
of them) a couple days before the race, to race day. This will increase
your potassium level and help to prevent cramping.
Respect the taper, you are more likely to hurt yourself by
over training than under training. The day before, relax and take it
easy. The night before, eat a healthy dinner and re
If it rains on race day, bring a 30 gallon trash bag and
tear a hole in the bottom to put your head through. You’ll be amazed
how warm it will keep you.
If it’s warm on race day (or a long run), put some
Vaseline on your eyebrows to keep the sweat out of your eyes.
Start to put gobs of lotion on the bottom of your feet a
couple nights before the race or before your long runs to keep your skin
moist, this will prevent blisters.
Walk through water stops so you don’t wear it. Take
your first sip of water and only rinse out your mouth then spit it out.
This will prevent sweat from getting into your mouth and stomach and giving
you a sour stomach. After that, take a drink. If you are sweating, make
sure your drink includes electrolytes like Gatorade or PowerAde. e. Squeeze
the cup to a “V”
Bring some type of snack on the race (or long run) so you
can eat every hour and do this during your training. If the race
supplies Gu, I would suggest trying to train with Gu so you can take
advantage of the free gels.
It’s your race so whatever works for you is what you
should do and stick to your plan.
Anything else you'd like to share?
No matter what your running goal is, I
can’t speak highly enough of any professional pace team. It’s your
race, have fun and take advantage of a free service.
