Where are you from?

Lake Orion, MI

Current P.R.

3:33:22

Typical pace

3:50

Number of marathons

5

Occupation

Nursing Student

Favorite marathon

Disney World

Hobbies

Traveling, snowboarding, horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, dancing.

Favorite Running Food

GORP and Peanut Butter

What are you reading now?

Born to Run or listening to books on tape while I run!

Who do you train with?

Just about anyone who wants to go for a run or train for a marathon! Most runs are done solo with my ipod. 

Personal goals

Go to the moon, run a 50 mile ultra, complete and Ironman and learn how to surf.

A quotation you like…

“Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second.” –William James

Why do you run?

To leave the rest of the world behind and clear my mind. I enjoy testing the limits of the body and spirit and proving to myself that anything is possible if I set my mind on it.  

Describe your best marathon memory.

Completing my first marathon when no one though I could do it and all of my running partners had backed out on me! I predicted my time would be in the 5-hour range, and my only goal was to finish, and I was 1 minute off qualifying for Boston!

Why do you pace?

One race I almost quit at ½, and I saw someone’s shirt that said “run if I can, walk if I must, crawl if I had to” and it made me realize that I was still running, and I was going to do whatever it took to finish the race.  If I am able to help just one person finish or reach a goal I will be giving back to the sport.

Tell us your best pacing experience.

Seeing someone’s face light up as they see the finish line of their first marathon and realize that all the hard work, sweat and tears paid off.

Why should someone run in your pace group?

I love talking and getting to know new people! Be ready to make some new friends, laugh, and enjoy yourself as the miles fly by.   I like to smile the whole time so it looks easy and nobody knows how hard I’m working.

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

Just be yourself and enjoy the moment, this is a big day, so take in the scenery, the cheering crowd, the music, the pavement beneath your feet, your  pounding heart, screaming muscles, and every other detail about this moment because this is what it is all about. 

Anything else you’d like to share?

"I tell our runners to divide the race into thirds. Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the last part with your heart." – Mike Fanelli

What philanthropic activities do you have?

I coached girls on the run, teaching elementary school girls healthy habits and how to run a 5K! I volunteer for Special Olympics, at the Humaine Society, and at local hospitals.