Where are you from?

Plainfield, IL

Current P.R.

3:20:48

Typical pace

7:35 – 8:00

Number of marathons

12

Occupation

Executive Assistant Finance and Budget

Favorite marathon

Twin Cities, MN

Hobbies

Running, Bowling, Spending time w/ family

Favorite Running Food

Bagel w/ peanut butter

What are you reading now?

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Who do you train with?

Primarily myself, at times Prairie State Road Runners (PSRR) group

Personal goals

Run a BQ, run all 5 Major Marathons, run a 100-miler, be a 50-stater.

A quotation you like…

“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift” Steve Prefontaine

“Trample the weak, hurdle the dead” Anonymous

Why do you run?

I run for a variety of reasons.  I run as a means of stress-relief, to stay in shape, to push myself towards goals I never thought possible or achievable.  I run for my son who has special needs and to honor my late father.

Describe your best marathon memory.

I ran in the inaugural Illinois Marathon in Champaign, IL in 2008.  At Mile 12 I came across an older gentleman who was about my pace and we started talking.  During the race he told me that he was 55 years old and trying to qualify for Boston and that he needed to run 3:45.  We were on 3:43 pace through 20 and I told him that I would run with him the rest of way and push him along towards his BQ.  We saw his family and supporters at Mile 25 and he knew that we were going to be cutting it close.  I think his adrenaline took over as he sprinted past me into the football stadium for the last .2 miles and finished 3:45:40 (I think) as I finished at 3:46:09.  Every second counts no matter when during a marathon as proof he qualified for Boston by a mere 19 seconds.  To this day I am still very proud to know that he ran a BQ and that I had a little part in it. 

Why do you pace?

I pace as a means to give back to the sport that I love and feel passionate about.  To play a role in helping others achieve their goals and dreams.  I pace to meet and get to know people over a 4-hour or so span (that I would never get a chance to otherwise) and share stories.

Why should someone run in your pace group?

I hope to make the marathon experience as much as a “fun” one as possible.  I want to keep the group mood light-hearted.  Hopefully we can share stories, tell some jokes, hi-five people in the crowd and sing songs (if needed) to pass the time while keeping to our objective.

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

Get a good night’s sleep before the race.  Get organized! Lie out your outfit, pin on bib, put on chip and get whatever else you need to bring together the night before to lessen your race day stress.  Set multiple alarms.  Vaseline your toes and heels, protect your nipples (not kidding).  Eat a hearty pre-race meal and try to take it all in and enjoy yourself.

Anything else you’d like to share?

My Rule #1 is to always go #2 the morning before a marathon or big race.  Hi-five people in the crowd whenever you feel tired.  It’s a good way to get re-invigorated and a way to say “thank you for coming out and cheering”.

What philanthropic activities do you have?

I coach my daughter’s volleyball team and son’s special needs baseball team.  I am currently race director for our church’s 5K and belong to several running clubs in the Southwest Suburban Chicago area.