Where are you from?

Middletown, MD

Current P.R.

3:07:07 (Boston 2015)

Typical pace

7:45-8:45 min/mi comfortably on road.

Number of marathons

I have lost count at this point, but estimating ~15 marathons, ~30-35 ultramarathons (31 to 100 miles and anything in-between)

Occupation

Physical therapist and Ph.D. student with a project involving brain research in response to exercise and motor learning in individuals with stroke.

Favorite marathon

Stumpy’s trail marathon – it’s my home turf! (It’s also free)

Hobbies

Not time for much else between school, work and running, but I do enjoy playing with my cat! (Don’t ask me about TV shows and movies though.. chances are I have not seen it!)

Favorite Running Food

Ginger chews. Trader Joe’s are the best.

What are you reading now?

The Principles of Neural Science –Kandel. Great book I got for my birthday. I am a little bit of a nerd.

Who do you train with?

Fasties, slow-and-steady go-ers, trail runners, roadies, friends, friends of friends, solo

Personal goals

Running goals: PR marathon again, run 100 miles in <24 hours.

A quotation you like…

The only good race pace is suicide pace. And today looks like a good day to die. --Prefontaine

Why do you run?

Because it feels so good when I stop.

Describe your best marathon memory.

Boston marathon 2014, crossing the finish line of a 100 miler through the mountains (Grindestone), setting a new 12 hour trail course record-twice (Labor Pains 2013, 2014) and meeting my future fiancé in the middle of it!

Why do you pace?

I know how fulfilling it is to accomplish personal goals, and I love being able to be a part of others meeting their own goals. 

Tell us your best pacing experience.

Pacing two different people through 100 mile races was certainly an amazing experience to go through the highs and lows with them, to help them find the strength they had inside when they couldn’t see it anymore themselves…and it’s also entertaining when they started hallucinating from lack of sleep!

Why should someone run in your pace group?

We will run a smart and consistent race and the energy of the group will help pull you through the tough sections!

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

For new marathoners…save the last 50% of your energy for the last 10 kilometers.

For experienced marathoners trying to hit a new goal time… come well-rested, know your realistic pace and REMEMBER it during the first 10 kilometers!

Anything else you’d like to share?

It’s always better to be too-rested than over trained going into a race, so take it easy the week leading up to the race. If you feel antsy, you are probably doing the right thing! Have a nutrition plan that you have practiced in training and don’t forget it during the race!

What philanthropic activities do you have?

Environmental work including trail clean-up and repair work, volunteering to work for races, volunteering at various clinics for neurologic patient populations at the University of Delaware.