|
Where are you from? |
Imperial, Pennsylvania |
Current P.R. |
3:04:28 at Pittsburgh |
|
Typical pace |
Usually about 7:10/mile if I’m just going by feel |
Number of marathons |
21 |
|
Occupation |
I do tech support and training at Slippery Rock University |
Favorite marathon |
God’s Country |
|
Hobbies |
Long distance cycling. Starting home improvement projects, getting them 90% done, and then getting distracted. Also, running! |
Favorite Running Food |
Oatmeal with chopped almonds before, handfuls of animal crackers during, hummus after. Or pizza at any point. |
|
What are you reading now? |
News stories at npr.org |
Who do you train with? |
I do most of my running solo, but a big part of my fitness comes from road biking with the PGH area cycling scene. |
|
Personal goals |
Getting down to 3:02 would be nice. A nonstop ride from Pittsburgh to Erie and back has been on my list for a while. |
|
|
|
A quotation you like… |
Eat lightly, but eat often. Keep the rubber side pointing down. Keep turning the cranks and you’ll get there eventually. |
||
|
Why do you run? |
I was a cyclist before I was a runner, and it was a thing to do in the winter when the roads were too bad for riding. Now I love to do both, all year round, because I work inside at a computer and I get antsy and restless and need it to blow off excess energy. It feels good to travel under your own power! |
||
|
Describe your best marathon memory. |
The Baker 50 Mile Ultra in 2015. I never thought that I’d be able to get up to the 50 mile distance, let alone finish 4th. It was a totally thrilling, and at times exhausting, day in rolling PA farmland and a nice mix of country dirt roads and wooded trails. Great volunteers, great aid station food, and friendly people all around. Forcing myself to slow down and be patient was key. |
||
|
Why do you pace? |
For me, it’s a way to experience a race with lower pressure, with no worries about pushing for a new PR, and to turn the marathon into a more social event while hopefully providing encouragement to other runners. |
||
|
Tell us your best pacing experience. |
Running WITH (not leading) the 3:05 group at Pittsburgh 2015 and actually clinging on to the end! It hurt, but was totally thrilling. |
||
|
Why should someone run in your pace group? |
I believe the key to preventing despair in any long-distance athletic activity is to make it social! I consider myself a GREAT listener and will be happy to talk! |
||
|
Any tips for runners about to join your group? |
“Carbing-up” is a real thing! Sweet potato fries are my favorite the night before a race. Tapering is real and works, too…it’s OK to be a little lazy the week before a big race. Getting on a bike the day after is great to stretch out the legs and helps me a lot with recovery. |
||
|
Anything else you’d like to share? |
Type II Fun: An activity that’s unpleasant at times while it’s happening, but fun in retrospect. We all need it to feel alive! |
||
|
What philanthropic activities do you have? |
I’m a regular donor to public radio! And also the local humane society. |
||