95, including a marathon in
every state, plus two 50 milers
Birthday
Feb. 8th
Favorite marathon
Jackson Hole. Can't get
more more scenic than dirt roads in the mountains. Of course,
that race no longer exists. Of races that still exist, Maui
and Napa Valley.
Typical pace
3:00-4:00. I was a
bit younger when I paced 3:00. Last few years have been 3:30-4:00.
Favorite running music
Ramones. If the Ramones
can't get your heart rate up, nothing can.
Occupation
Technical Manager by
title, Electrical Engineer by training
Favorite running food
Before I run - a
banana. After I run a marathon - a stuffed sausage pizza from
Giordano's.
Any hobbies?
Brewing (and drinking)
beer. Does Wii count?
Who do you train with?
During the week I run solo or
with some coworkers at Motorola. On the weekend, with the Glen
Ellyn Runners group of 100+ runners.
Favorite book, what are you reading now?
The Stand by Steven King
A quotation you like…
"no pain, no gain"
Why do you run?
I started running to lose
weight. Now it is my stress reliever. I get really cranky when I
am not able to run for any period of time (just ask my wife).
Describe your best
marathon memory.
I was running the Jackson Hole
Marathon, a small race mostly run on dirt fire roads in the mountains.
I had to stop around mile 3 to let a herd of free-range cattle cross the road
we were running on. Figuring this would be a scenic course, I was
carrying a throw-away camera with me and was able to capture the moment on
film (this predates digital cameras being widespread).
Why do you pace?
As someone who always ran all
the local races, I never did my share of volunteering to help at
races. Pacing is a chance to correct that. For
those of us who are over-the-hill and not going to run any time that
impresses ourselves any more, it's great to see the reaction of people at the
finish line who you have just paced to their goal. It's also a
good excuse to not run a marathon all-out and feel miserable at the
finish.
Tell us your best
pacing experience.
I was pacing 3:40 at St Louis,
and paced a young woman running her first marathon. Her husband was on
the course cheering her on. She stuck with me the whole way and
nailed her goal. She made a point of thanking me at the
finish. I ran an 80 mile relay the next weekend. Lo
and behold, who sees me at the finish and makes a point of thanking me
again - her husband.
Why should
someone run in your pace group?
Practice makes perfect.
I've been leading marathon training pace groups since 1992.
I've probably paced Chicago 10 times by now, with a similar count from
other races. I don't ask for cash tips from the people I've paced that
are still with me at the finish - just a cold beer.
Any tips for
runners about to join your group?
Get the thought of banking time
in the earlier miles out of your head - I run the same splits the
whole way. If this is your first marathon, practice drinking on the run
(or walk) at a smaller race - we do not come to a dead stop to drink at the
aid stations.
