Where are you from?

Commerce, MI

Current P.R.

2:55:52

Typical pace

About 5 steps behind my friend Reynolds, who likes to push the pace daily.  7:30 tempo.

Number of marathons

11

Occupation

Product Manager

Favorite marathon

North Country 50mi

Hobbies

Spending time with my family, Soccer, Sailing, Swimming, and (of course) Fishing

Favorite Running Food

Daily dose of oats with almond milk & honey.  Soup, bananas, and ginger in the ultras.

What are you reading now?

“Running for my Life” and the latest issue of Ultrarunning Magazine

Who do you train with?

Fellow pacers Lavallee, Reynolds, and Abbott during the week and my son Jake on the weekends

Personal goals

Continue exploring the limits of what’s possible in running and life.  This year I am seeking a marathon PR and 100 mile finish

A quotation you like…

And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself in another part of the world
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful
wife
And you may ask yourself-Well...How did I get here?

Why do you run?

Keeps this old man feeling younger, stronger, and happier

Describe your best marathon memory.

My 3 kids joined me for the last quarter mile of my first marathon – Pinkney “Trailmarathon” in 2011.  Celebrating marathon finishes with friends and family makes the accomplishment that much sweeter for me.  My son has paced me for the last ½ marathon of the 3 50 mile ultras I have completed.  Through him I understand the importance of support and positive encouragement in pacing and achieving goals.

Why do you pace?

Fully supported long runs?  Sign me up! 

Tell us your best pacing experience.

Pacing a couple of my son’s friends - first time marathoners and 15 at the time to a sub – 4 hour finish in the Veteran’s Marathon in 2011.  One of them qualified for Boston this year – huge accomplishment for an 18 year old, and he will be racing me at this year’s North Country 50mi in August, can’t wait!

Why should someone run in your pace group?

I have found my marathons and ultra’s to be a roller coaster.  Let me, or another pacer, carry you through the tough parts and keep your pace honest.  We are there to help you through the tough parts and achieve your goal.

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

Rest is more important than you think!  Train hard and embrace the taper.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I appreciate all those who help get me to the starting line – my family, my wife’s meals, my kids who are not too embarrassed to run some miles with Dad, and my friends who push me to continuously improve.  I am sure you have a support network out there, too.  Focus on those who helped get you there during your marathon and it will make it an even greater experience.

What philanthropic activities do you have?

Working to feed homeless through our church, raising funds through races/marathons for Autism awareness and the Special Operations Warrior Fund.