Where are you from?

Branson, MO

Current P.R.

3:53

Typical pace

10:17

Number of marathons

559

Occupation

Physician

Favorite marathon

End of the World (2012)

Hobbies

Running, cycling, scuba diving, cooking

Favorite Running Food

Mashed potatoes the night before; Clif block every 2 miles during; chocolate milk at the finish; Mongolian BBQ a couple hours later

What are you reading now?

The Terrible & Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances

Who do you train with?

My son (who has completed over 118 half and 12 full marathons)

Personal goals

Run again. 

A quotation you like…

Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever.

Why do you run?

For the health of it!

Describe your best marathon memory.

The strangest thing I’ve seen in a race was during my first trail marathon. I’d fallen, hard, 4 or 5 times and was thinking that running up and down these incredibly steep hills with jagged rocks and treacherous obstacles was the worst idea ever… until about mile 12, when I saw a UNICYCLIST tearing down the trail at breakneck speed! Suddenly, I felt sane.

Why do you pace?

I went out way too fast my first marathon and had to walk after 20 miles. It was such a discouraging experience I didn’t attempt my second marathon until 28 years later. Anything I can do to help prevent others from repeating that common mistake is worth it.

Tell us your best pacing experience.

I had a group of mostly first timers at the Kansas City marathon in 2012 who were feeling pretty good at about mile 8 when we caught up to a gentleman in his 60s wearing a Marathon Maniacs jacket. Someone asked him how many marathons he’d run before; he tried to avoid answering then finally admitted this was his 940-somethingth. Clearly impressed, someone else asked if he’d run one in every state. Yes, he’d completed the states 13 times. A third person guessed he must be in the Guinness Book of World Records. He is. They asked if he’d ever calculated how much he’d spent on entry fees and travel; he laughed and said no, because then he might have to seriously rethink this hobby. I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with him again many times since, including at his 1,000^th marathon in February, 2013.

Why should someone run in your pace group?

Because I can teach you the “Ian knot” (http://www.runnersworld.com/running-shoes/knot-perfect). Your laces will never come untied during a run again.

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

If this is your first marathon (and you don’t want everyone to know that), don’t point to the “Worst. Parade. EVER.” sign and ask “Did you see that? Hilarious!!”

Anything else you’d like to share?

 I suffered a massive stroke in March 2022

What philanthropic activities do you have?

I volunteer as the doc for a kids’ camp a couple of weeks each summer.