Where are you from?

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Current P.R.

4:58 Full / 2:14 Half / 27:45 5K

Typical pace

11:00 – 11:30 per mile (to keep it FUN!)

Number of marathons

Full – 6 / Half – 12, and 2 Classic distance Triathlons

Occupation

Landscape Architect

Favorite marathon

Space Coast Marathon (so far!)

Hobbies

Gardening, Photography, Travel

Favorite Running Food

Shot Blocks during, and Chocolate Milk afterwards!

What are you reading now?

Magazine; The Atlantic (monthly)

Book; South with Endurance, by Frank Hurley

Who do you train with?

Friends in Training (FIT) and Broward Pacers

Personal goals

To keep running for the rest of my life; no matter the speed or distance!

To run the NYC marathon someday, somehow…and do it my way!

A quotation you like…

"Methinks that the moment my legs began to move, my thoughts began to flow." - Henry David Thoreau

Why do you run?

Originally started running when I was 48 (and 80 pounds heavier) to improve my health; now I run because of how ‘alive’ it makes me feel!  And the friends I’ve made through running keep me coming back.

Describe your best marathon memory.

Approaching the finish of the 2011 Long Beach (CA) marathon, about 2 miles out from the finish, having a calm sense of success come over me knowing that I had accomplished my years-long goal of my first sub-5 hour PR.  And I did it with the 5 hour pacer almost the entire way; I think that is when I decided I wanted to try pacing myself to help other runners, especially beginners, accomplish their goals.

Why do you pace?

I’ve always been a ‘volunteer’ at heart; and with the start of my running years ago I had some great ‘coaches’ who helped me learn and flourish.  I now feel obligated to ‘pay it forward’ and help others change their lives through running, as I have mine.

Tell us your best pacing experience.

The Rock & Roll ½ marathon in Miami Beach in 2011, I paced the 2:30 group with Marcela Todd, and we had about 5 runners come all the way through with us to finish just under 2:30.  We had so much fun talking with lots of runners during the event and helping everyone relax and try to enjoy it.  It was also funny when we’d ‘pick-up’ runners out on the course that had dropped back from their faster targets, and didn’t think they could finish (and were slightly mad we were passing them), but we convinced them to finish with us and make the 2:30 mark.

Why should someone run in your pace group?

I will do my best to ‘keep them entertained’ and make it a fun experience through the comraderie of the group; a race should be something to enjoy, with no doubts about your ability to FINSH!

We’ll share stories along the way of life’s struggles we’ve all overcome to get here, and focus on encouraging each other to ‘hang in there’ with us.  At the end I am going to ‘push’ everyone to ‘leave me’ and make their own new PR!

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

Stay focused on an even and consistent pace (first mile same as the last mile!). 

Remember the importance of hydration and nutrition during the event, come prepared.

Think about who is out there cheering you on and who supported you during your training; in some ways you are running for them too.

And have a plan for what you want to do after your PR finish to celebrate.

Now let’s have some Race FUN!

Anything else you’d like to share?

Having been an assistant coach with FIT for a few years now, and watching many of my ‘ducklings’ go on to their first ½ and full marathon success, I found out that pacing has become my new passion, almost surpassing even my own desires for new PR’s.

What philanthropic activities do you have?

Serving on the Board of Directors of the Wilton Manors Development Alliance (FL, NFP)

Assistant Coach for 3 years now with Friends in Training (FIT)

Current Chair of the City of Wilton Manors – Planning & Zoning Board