Hometown

Grand Rapids, MI

Current P.R.

4:36

Where were you born?

Kalamazoo, MI

Number of marathons

8 including two IM’s and one 33mile ultra

Birthday

September 18

Favorite marathon

Tecumpseh Trail Marathon, Bloomington IN

Typical pace

10 or slower for longer runs 7’s for 5k-5mile range

Favorite running music

My own footsteps.

Occupation

Instructor Coordinator for Healtways and SilverSneakers and Massage Therapist

Favorite running food

Pickle juice or any Hammer product.

Any hobbies?

Triathlon, running, home construction projects, reading. 

Who do you train with?

My dogs

Favorite book, what are you reading now?

Janet Evonovich Stephanie Plum series.  Reading a Norah Roberts novel  right now and internet directions for more home progets

A quotation you like…

“You can do anything you set your mind to, do your best.”

-My Dad

Personal goals

Continue to run and play with good health,  win the 3disciplines sprint series in the upcoming years another Ironman in 2011, 50 states

Why do you run?

I run for the love of running.  I run for health, mine and my dogs.  I run to inspire anyone I can because it’s helped me to lose more than 40 lbs.  I run for the endorphins.  I run because I never thought I had it in me and now that I do I never want to lose it.

Describe your best marathon memory.

It’s a toss up.  Ironman Wisconsin in 2008.  I happened to run into a team member and we ran the last half of the Marathon portion together, laughing in the dark, chilly rain. Or the Tecumpseh Trail marathon my personal worstJ  such a challenge....crazy trails and ran with 6 other women I had just met on those trails.

Or when a running partner for the day borrowed a dollar from a police officer to purchase a water when the Akron Marathon ran out and 4 of us shared that one bottle.  I cry at every marathon because I see what all of us out there are made of!

Why do you pace?

For me pacing is a way for me to give back to running a small portion of what it has given to me.  I want to help as many people as I can accomplish their goals because I know what it feels like to do get there and it’s amazing.  Everyone deserves that feeling at some points in life.

Tell us your best pacing experience.

In 2008 I nailed the 10 minute mile to the second.  That was fun. I was pacing on my own and a few runners wanted to carry the sign along the way (nice little break for us pacers).  My boss was in the pace group and when I said to the group “If your goal is to break the ten minute mile you have to get ahead of me,” she was there to hear me and made one of the many to make it that day.  I had no idea how many people want to break the ten minute mile.  It is such a fun group to run with..

Why should someone run in your pace group?

Because I really need to learn more jokes! J and because I promise to have fun and usually that means we all will.... and I go after my goals and my goal for the day when pacing is to get others to theirs!

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

Drink early and often. Bring a sense of humor and be ready to have fun.  You’ve done the training, now it’s time to let it pay off.  Enjoy your day!