Where are you from?

Hamburg, NY

Current P.R.

1:50:28 (2017 Mighty Niagara Half Marathon)

Typical pace

Half Marathons, 10k

Number of marathons

1

Occupation

Professor

Favorite marathon

Buffalo Marathon

Hobbies

Running, yoga, baking, gardening

Favorite Running Food

oatmeal

What are you reading now?

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Who do you train with?

I train with a group of amazing women, the Marathon Dreamers.

Personal goals

50k, ultra runs

A quotation you like…

The true purpose of the strong is to promote greater strength in the weak, and not to keep the weak in that state where they are at the mercy of the strong. By Christian Larson

Why do you run?

I never thought I would be a runner. Growing up, I was terrible at sports, ALL sports. I was the chubby kid that others made fun of. I came to the U.S. in 2001, and felt a sense of liberation, because nobody was calling me fat any more. The phrase I learned was “I don’t care.” I started going to the gym, but I still didn’t like running, especially running on a treadmill. I did my first 5k in 2011, and I won my age group, and my friend, Michele and her husband, Rick, came to cheer me up on a snowy March day. I thought to myself, “Wow, if I didn’t train for a 5k and I won my age group, maybe I should start running.” The following year, I did the same 5k and won my age group again. In May 2012, I ran my first half marathon, and finished in one hour and 54 minutes. In May 2013, I ran my first and only full marathon in Buffalo. Ever since then, I have done 15 half marathons and multiple 10ks and 5ks.

Describe your best marathon memory.

I only ran one full marathon. So I guess by default, it was the best one. It was a sunny day in May. We started early in the morning, 6 am to be precise. Running a marathon was on my bucket list, and I just wanted to finish. I did. I finished in 4 hours and 15 minutes. The crowd was the best. 

Why do you pace?

After I have done over 10 half marathons, I felt that I needed a purpose for running. I paced the first race in 2018, and I LOVED it, because it was not about how fast I could go, but how I could help other runners cross the finish line as they aimed at. It was very rewarding for me and I found my purpose.

Tell us your best pacing experience.

The best pacing experience was last October when I paced for the Evil Half in Ellicotville. The course was hilly and the weather was damp. But the runners all dressed up for the race, because it was on the Halloween weekend. It was fun to see people enjoying the race, rather than making their own PRs.

Why should someone run in your pace group?

I think the reason that people should run in my pace group is that I am consistent with the pace, and I would not bank the time. I am energetic and I cheer for ALL runners, not just the runners in my group. I would love the runner’s jokes, most because I don’t get them. I am just fun to run with.

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

Trust me and don’t look at your watch. Prepare a joke for each mile to share with other runners.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I am a 200-hour trained yoga instructor. I would love to offer a before and after race yoga class.

What philanthropic activities do you have?

I am a volunteer coach for the Boys on the Right Track, a non-profit organization.