Where are you from?

Lillington, NC

Current P.R.

2:33:47

Typical pace

6:30-7:00/mile

Number of marathons

14

Occupation

High School Math teacher and Cross Country Coach

Favorite marathon

Boston Marathon

Hobbies

Photography, a cappella singing, playing organ

Favorite Running Food

Spaghetti

What are you reading now?

“How Bad Do You Want It?” It is a book about mental strength and toughness that I am reading through and teaching my high school runners.

Who do you train with?

Harnett Central High School Cross Country and Track team where I coach

Personal goals

Qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Trials in the marathon and the USA 24 Hour Running World Championship team

A quotation you like…

“Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”  -J.R.R. Tolkien

Why do you run?

I run because I feel God’s presence the strongest when I run. I love running on trails and in nature because I feel like I become one with God’s creation.

Describe your best marathon memory.

My best marathon memory is from the City of Oaks Marathon in Raleigh, NC. I ran this race with two of my college teammates from Mars Hill University. I started off a little behind them, but caught up around mile 10 and all three of us got to run miles 10-16 together. It was an amazing experience to run with two of my close friends for so long in a race as we worked to chase down the runners ahead of us. The icing on the cake was that we ended up finishing 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th in the marathon!

Why do you pace?

I pace because I love to be able to help others achieve their goals. I have been running at a very competitive level for over a decade and love to share that experience with others. Helping coach and guide others to strong finishes and new PRs is a great way to spend any day.

Tell us your best pacing experience.

In high school, a fellow freshman friend of mine who was on the softball team had to run a mile in under 7 minutes to get an ‘A’ in her PE class. She was athletic, but had never run a mile that fast, so she asked me to pace her. I ran a 1:40-1:45 every lap and distinctly remember talking to her the whole time about apple pies to distract her from the fast pace. She ran a 6:55 and got an ‘A’ in her class and I got my first experience pacing someone to help them achieve their goals!

Why should someone run in your pace group?

If you want to have the best possible chance to achieve your goals, new PRs, and have lots of fun while doing it – my pace group is for you!

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

Don’t stress about the race. All the hard work has already been done. In a pace group you don’t even have to worry about how fast you are running. Just enjoy the crowds, the course, and the runners all around you who are all undergoing the same 26.2 mile feat - and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Anything else you’d like to share?

"The marathon. How an average runner becomes more than average." -New Balance

What philanthropic activities do you have?

I volunteer as a high school cross-country and track coach. I have also raised money for NC Kids Run – an organization that encourages self-confidence, leadership, and discipline in young and adolescent kids in North Carolina.