Where are you from?

Gainesville, FL

Current P.R.

 3:54

Typical pace

9 minute miles

Number of marathons

 40

Occupation

Baker

Favorite marathon

The Donna

Hobbies

Plants, reading, running and exercising, Bible study, concerts, hiking

Favorite Running Food

Biscoff Cookies

What are you reading now?

The Space Trilogy (CS Lewis), Born to Run (Christopher McDougall)

Who do you train with?

My friend Hailey and the Depot Parkrun parkrunners

Personal goals

Become a 50 stater, run an international marathon, learn Spanish, meet Tom Holland

A quotation you like…

Why do you run?

I love how it makes me feel, the friends I’ve made through it, the way it gets me from place to place when my antique truck breaks down

Describe your best marathon memory.

Early in my marathon adventures, I was a 5 hour runner (barely), and I spent an entire race leapfrogging the 5 hour pacer-until mile 24 when the heat got to me and I just couldn’t keep up. I hadn’t talked to him the entire race, but we’d been within 20 yards of each other for most of it. so he ran over next to me and told me to keep my pace, to keep running, and to stick with him. I did, barely, and he got me through the last two miles and to the 5 hour finish I was trying so hard for.

Why do you pace?

I love talking to people and encouraging other runners-after my experience with the 5 hour pacer all those years ago, I’ve started trying to be him when I see another runner like I was-alone and tired and running out of gas. I want to support them the way he supported me.

Tell us your best pacing experience.

This is my first year as an official pacer, but I’ve unofficially really enjoyed pacing first time runners that I’ve fallen in with along the way.

Why should someone run in your pace group?

I’ll distract you with stories, push you just hard enough to keep you going but not so hard you feel daunted, and I always have a lot of snacks to share if you need them

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

I am a talker and I love learning people’s names and stories so I’ll engage with anyone around me. But I can take a hint and if you like to run without conversation I won’t bug you.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I hope I can help anyone shooting for a PR, a comfortable and safe finish, or just a fun and memorable time get to what they’re aiming for.

What philanthropic activities do you have?

I volunteer as a VI guide for a local blind runner, I work with both the college ministry and children’s ministry at my church, I volunteer as a lifeguard instructor for local camps, and I work with several organizations to provide the leftover bread, bagels, and pastries from my bakery to people experiencing food insecurity