Where are you from?

Avon Lake, OH

Current P.R.

Full: 3:37:59

Half: 1:34:32

Typical pace

7:30 – 8:00 per mile

Number of marathons

Fulls: 25

Halfs: 6

Occupation

Lead Database Engineer

Favorite marathon

I can’t pick just one: Chicago, New York, Detroit, Baltimore, Cleveland…the list goes on!

Hobbies

Being a husband and father, running, and drumming.

Favorite Running Food

I’m a big pasta fan!

What are you reading now?

I’m currently progressing through the Harry Potter series.

Who do you train with?

My mind

Personal goals

My long term goal is to complete a full marathon in every state.  My current short term goal is to break a 3:30 marathon.

A quotation you like…

Push yourself as far as you think you can go.  And when you think you can’t go any further, just take one more step.

Why do you run?

I enjoy being able to step away from life’s craziness to enjoy some “me” time.  Getting out there and running allows me to refocus my energy and start the day off right!

Describe your best marathon memory.

My favorite marathon memories are where my kids cross the finish line with me!  My 8 year old daughter has crossed 10 finish lines with me, and my 5 year old son has crossed 5.  I always have that motivation during the tough parts of the race knowing that they are waiting near the finish to run across with me.

Why do you pace?

I enjoy having the opportunity to help other runners achieve their goals.  It is such an amazing feeling seeing a runner achieve their pace goal!  I enjoy being a pacer because it allows the runners in the group to not worry about pace and just run, allowing the pacer to do the dirty work of maintaining that speed.  The 2:00 half marathon group is always a big group, and I really enjoy helping people break that barrier!

Tell us your best pacing experience.

Each time I’ve paced, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the runners and helping them push to break their goal.  It’s always interesting what sort of topics we talk about during the course of 13.1 miles!

Why should someone run in your pace group?

It is a pacer’s job to run a specific pace.  Run with me and we can chat and run without you worrying about the pace.  It will make the miles fly by!

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

Be realistic about your race day goals based on your training up to that race.  Run with a group that you know is achievable, and also keep in mind that you can always run ahead of the group if you’re feeling great during the actual race!

Anything else you’d like to share?

Make sure you are not doing anything different on race day.  Don’t eat something you haven’t eaten before a long run.  Don’t wear any clothing or shoes that you haven’t done a long run in before.  Don’t try an energy gel on the course that you’ve never tried before.  Running is all about consistency.  Set yourself up for success on race day by training the way you plan to race.

What philanthropic activities do you have?