Where
are you from?
|
Grand
Rapids, MI
|
Current
P.R.
|
2:41:01
|
Typical
pace
|
7:30
|
Number
of marathons
|
18
|
Occupation
|
Teacher
|
Favorite
marathon
|
Each
has a different memory
|
Hobbies
|
Being
with my family
|
Favorite
Running Food
|
“If
the furnace is hot enough, it will burn anything”
|
What
are you reading now?
|
Rereading
the Lord of the Rings
|
Who
do you train with?
|
My
treadmill
|
Personal
goals
|
Run
a marathon in every US state and complete the Majors
|
|
|
A
quotation you like…
|
“Whether
you think you can or you cannot, you’re right.” -Henry Ford
|
Why
do you run?
|
I
started running because I’m competitive and I liked running fast
and the challenge, I continue running because of the importance of
heart health and longevity for my family, the community it has
become for me, and the experiences that it has brought my life.
|
Describe
your best marathon memory.
|
Every
marathon is different and unique. One of my crazier marathons was
Richmond Marathon in 2015. I was in military training, and
requested to run the marathon on my weekend pass on little
distance training. The request had to be sent all the way up the
base commander for approval, and I was granted leave to run the
race and be back in evening formation. I was able to knock it out,
but PT and marching in cadence the next few days a bear!
|
Why
do you pace?
|
Pacing
is very fun and rewarding for me personally. I love being able to
be a small part of helping people reach goals that they may have
worked ages for. I have run with pace groups as a competitor and
know the value and security it provided, and I love being that
source of confidence for others.
|
Tell
us your best pacing experience.
|
I
paced the Baltimore Marathon for the 3:05 group, and by about mile
22 everyone we started with had fallen off except one young lady
in her first ever marathon. With a couple miles to go we knew the
course generally eased and could sense her strength growing and
encouraged her to “go for it” and she crushed the final 5k and
nearly broke the 3 hour mark winning her age group.
|
Why
should someone run in your pace group?
|
I’ll
get you to the line under the time. Other than that, I talk a lot
and try to have fun during the run. I don’t know if that is a
“pro” or “con” column, but I guess that depends on you!
|
Any
tips for runners about to join your group?
|
Just
because I’m talking a lot doesn’t mean you need to! Don’t
feel you need to waste energy or aerobic chatting. Additionally,
proper fueling is essential in the marathon. All your training for
months can be for nothing if you do not fuel properly DURING the
race. Taking in fuel every 5k or 5 miles is my recommendation, and
get electrolytes at every aid station! “Nothing new on race day”
|
Anything
else you’d like to share?
|
The
marathon starts at mile 20. Enjoy the ride to that point, then
embrace the grind and stay mentally strong for the last 10k.
|
What
philanthropic activities do you have?
|
I
usually run for RWB when I am not pacing, which is a Veterans’
group. Support your Vets!
|
