Hometown

Glassport, PA

Current P.R.

2:54 Marathon, 3:36 50K, 7:21 50 Mile

Where were you born?

McKeesport, PA

Number of marathons

67 total Marathons and UltraMarathons. (34 Marathons)

Birthday

January 20^th 

Favorite marathon

Paris France

Typical pace

3:40 to 4:00 marathons

Favorite running music

My running partners voice. we talk when we run. iPods are antisocial.

Occupation

Financial Planner

Favorite running food

GU

Any hobbies?

Mountain Climbing, Rock Climbing, Hiking, Photography, History (Civil War, American History).

Who do you train with?

A group at North Park in PA, several of the runners are also pacers.

Favorite book, what are you reading now?

Currently reading two 1) Run in the Sun, and 2) The Vicksburg Campaign

A quotation you like…

Beer is proof that God loves man and wants him to be happy - Benjamin Franklin

Personal goals

Marathon or Ultra in every state....half way there!

Why do you run?

I run for fitness and to push myself. Test the limits a bit. But mostly to stay in shape, keep my weight down and feel strong.

Describe your best marathon memory.

The first time I took home any hardware I placed 3d in my age group on a very hilly course at Smokey Mt. Marathon in Knoxville TN. I ran a 2:58 and passed two guys in my age group in the last 3 miles, then fought off leg cramps to keep my 3rd place. You would have thought I was running for Olympic gold the way I gutted it out. Let me know right there that I could go faster and deal with pain.

Why do you pace?

I pace to help other runners hit their target, whether it be a specific time or to simply finish the marathon. I find it is very interesting to hear the stories of the runners in the group, and to tell stories to help them achieve the finish line. I pace because I enjoy it.

Tell us your best pacing experience.

This may sound like a cop-out answer, but all of the events I have paced have been different, and all have been good. To pick a 'best' would be to slight the others. One stand out experience was recently having the opportunity to pace in my hometown marathon (I paced in the Half-Marathon).  The Pittsburgh Marathon had not been run in 5 years, and I got the chance to pace the 1/2. It was very cool to be running and hearing friends of mine call out as I ran by. Home field advantage to be sure.

Why should someone run in your pace group?

I have a lot of energy and will generally talk, laugh and engage the runners in my group. I have the ability to maintain a set pace for a long long long time. I am a metronome. I am perhaps the best pacer in the entire western world, with the exception of the members of this pace team that is :)

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

Bring a disposable water bottle to the start of the marathon. This way you don't have to stop at the early aid stations (which are always packed with runners). Also, you will be assured to have 20 oz of water in your system in the first couple of miles, which will come in handy later in the race.