Pacer Brett

Hometown |
Shaker Heights, OH |
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Current P.R. |
3:15:30 (Steamtown 2006) |
Where were you born? |
Mountainair, NM |
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Number of marathons |
70+ including ultras |
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Favorite marathon |
Boston (hard to beat the
extreme runner's energy of the whole weekend) |
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Typical pace |
Full: 4:00 - 4:45 ; Half: 2:00 |
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Favorite running music |
I only use my iPod if on a
treadmill; then I put it on shuffle and go with the randomness |
Occupation |
Business dude, in the
healthcare services industry; historically CFO and/or COO role; recently
promoted to CEO |
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Favorite running food |
beer (is there anything else?) |
Any hobbies? |
I'm thinking of taking up
"jogging", maybe even progressing up to running at some
point. Other than that, skiing, cycling and trying to keep up with my
kids various activities. Definitely NOT swimming, thus not triathlons
in my future. |
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Who do you train with? |
Weekend: Vertical Runner
group in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We have a great group ranging from
25 to 56 years old; Midweek: 3 nice (but slow) neighbors |
Favorite book, what are you reading now? |
Just finished John Parker Jr.'s
"Once a Runner" |
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A quotation you likeā¦ |
"Just run,
Baby!" either Kojak/Telly Sevalas or me, I can't recall in my old
age |
Personal goals |
Stay healthy longer than most
of the really fast old farts in my age group. Continue to run faster
than my kids for a few more years. Run 100 marathons or ultras before I
turn 60. |
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Why do you run? |
Ice cream, chocolate chip
cookies & beer; OK maybe a couple of other reasons like a) to keep
from being a lazy, fat slob and b) where else can a guy in his 50's
legitimately hang out with fit young women? Additionally, I really
enjoy the people you meet as a runner -- people of all ages, backgrounds and
vocations that I probably wouldn't meet otherwise. |
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Describe your best
marathon memory. |
1st time qualifying for Boston
(Houston 2005); it was a 14 minute PR; 3 minute negative split and I felt
great afterward. This was the race that truly demonstrated the value of
pacing to me. In two previous BQ attempts I'd started with the pace
group and pulled away before the half only to seriously hit the wall and
finish the race in a mindless shuffle. In Houston a friend ran
with me as my personal pacer and we nailed our splits until mile 22 when I
picked it up for a really strong finish. |
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Why do you pace? |
Because I know running
with a pace team is truly the best way for most people to reach
their race goals (see BQ story above). I greatly enjoy being able to
help others reach their goals by keeping them on pace, motivated and
hopefully having a great time. I'll often get to the end of a pacing
assignment and not be tired at all -- I'm so focused on the group that I
forget to notice any stress on my own body. It's very rewarding to see
the joy on runners faces when they finish a good race and to know that I was
part of a great experience for them. |
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Tell us your best
pacing experience. |
Now that's a tough
question! Every pacing assignment has many "best"
moments. If I have to pick one I'll go with my very first time as
a pace leader (Cleveland 2005). I had three women who stayed right
with me the entire race and all reached their goal of qualifying for Boston.
The looks of pure joy on their faces at the finish (OK, and the big hugs) had
me hooked as a pace leader. Miles 17 to 23 along Lake Erie were really
windy so I had the group tuck in right behind me to "draft".
As a rookie pacer I'd blown up the balloons that we carried really large so I
felt like Mary Poppins about to take flight the entire race. By the end
my stick had broken several times so I looked like I was carrying a balloon
bouquet. I'm just glad that Pacer Jim uses a small sign rather than
balloons! |
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Why should
someone run in your pace group? |
Duh, so they can finish on time
and meet their goals. Hopefully along the way they I will help them a)
make some new friends, b) gain confidence in their running abilities, c) have
a captive audience for any and all running related questions and, most
importantly d) HAVE FUN! I truly enjoy having the opportunity to
serve as a pace team leader and I strive to make running with the
pace team a great experience for everyone who participates, whether for
just a few miles or the whole race. |
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Any tips for
runners about to join your group? |
1) Get to the start early to
avoid stress and to meet me and your co-runners before the race begins.
2) Stay with the group until at least mile 22 (11 for a half) -- if you are
considering pulling ahead, talk to me and I can probably tell if you are
still running strong and capable of pulling ahead. 3) Be prepared with a few
good jokes because I, unfortunately, don't know any; and 4) please remember
to send an email after the race to pacerjim@hotmail.com -- I really do want to hear
about your experience with the pace team. |
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Anything else you'd like to share? |
Just run, Baby! |