Hometown

Pittsburgh, PA

Current P.R.

3:06

Where were you born?

 A delivery room like most folks.   

Number of marathons

76+ )including a few ultras), 29 of which were pacing

Birthday

Same day as the 2017 Celebration Marathon.  Bring gifts!

Favorite marathon

The next one.

Typical pace

9- 10 min. per mile

Occupation

Trucking company manager

Favorite running food

During, none.  After, Endurox R4, chocolate milk, and beer.  But not all together.  

Any hobbies?

Weight training, biking and travel, especially to National Parks, America’s best idea.  

Who do you train with?

On the weekends I run with some trail-running, ultra-running friends.  It's sometimes a humbling experience, especially if they show up on Sunday morning having run 3 or 4 hours on Saturday, and still run at my pace.

What are you reading now?

This questionnaire, duh.

A quotation you like…

"Laws are like sausages; it’s better not to see them being made."

Personal goals

Outlive my money

Why do you run?

To maintain bone density.  I'm 1/4" taller than at age 21.  I'm shooting for 7 ft..

Describe your best marathon memory.

Helping my son safely train for and run his first marathon at age 11. (He was 11, not me)

Why do you pace?

My probation officer promised me time off for community service.

Tell us your best pacing experience.

St Louis, about 2004, I was helping a college coed try to qualify for Boston.  She dropped off the pace at about 23, and it's almost unheard of for someone to rally that late in a race if they've faltered.  But I kept turning around and yelling back to her to encourage her, and urged spectators that I passed to spur her on as she got to them, and she miraculously caught me at about 25 3/4 miles and literally cried shen she crossed the finish line with me.

Why should someone run in your pace group?

I'm not a Chatty Kathy Pace Team Leader, so if you enjoy non-stop talking you may be disappointed.  I talk enough to let you know I care about your efforts, I tell just enough jokes to keep you wanting more, and I will encourage you to make your goal.  If you're still with me at mile 20, I will help you with nutrition and hydration.  We will finish about 30-40 seconds ahead of goal time, as I would rather do that than take the chance that mile 25 or 26 were mis-marked and we miss our goal by a few seconds...and to help me carry the sign.

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

Better to taper too much than too little.  Run your last hard run (e.g., tempo, interval) AT LEAST 4 days before the race, preferably 5.  Buy a throwaway jacket at Goodwill for about $3 and wear it to the start, then toss it when you no longer need it.  Double knot your laces.  Bring a water bottle to the start line so you can skip the first water station or two.  Thank the volunteers.  Watch for the photographers and smile as they take your picture, especially at the finish line.