Hometown

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Current P.R.

3:41

Where were you born?

Happy Valley, Labrador (that’s why I’m always so HAPPY!!)

Number of marathons

12

Birthday

August 31

Favorite marathon

Walt Disney World Marathon

Typical pace

5:30 min/km (hey, remember I’m Canadian!! – I think in metric)

Favorite running music

I do not listen to music while I run, I mostly enjoy listening to “talk radio”.

Occupation

Environmental Engineer

Favorite running food

Toast with PB and bananas

Any hobbies?

Listening to my son play bass guitar, Watching my daughter play competitive soccer, Long walks with my Husband.

Who do you train with?

Myself – my schedule is too crazy right now to be able to run with others.

Favorite book, what are you reading now?

Anything about the Amish in PA.

A quotation you like…

Toenails are for sissies!!!

And the one my Mother recited to me ALL MY LIFE – “You can do anything you set your mind to!”

Personal goals

To have a strong marriage, to help my children reach their full potential and to continue improving my own personal health and fitness.

Why do you run?

Because I absolutely LOVE it!!!

Describe your best marathon memory.

In 2009, I decided to run the Goofy Challenge at Walt Disney World (you run the Half Marathon on Saturday morning and then the Full Marathon on Sunday morning).  By about mile 20, the “wheels started to fall off” – my body was really starting to tell me that it had now had run over 33 miles and it had had enough!!  I told it that it only had 6 more miles to go and “that was that”!!!  Well, we argued back and forth (sometimes even out loud!!) until I finally reached the 26 mile point when there was a huge Gospel Choir singing “Alleluia, Alleluia!!!” with their arms outstretched!!  I was ecstatic and sang right long with them to the Finish Line!  I was so proud of myself that had accomplished this huge goal that I had set out for myself – I also realized that I truly am GOOFY!!!

Why do you pace?

I love helping people accomplish their personal goals.  Many people who are in my pace pack are beginners and many have spent at least a year preparing themselves for this challenge.  I enjoy encouraging them along the way and seeing the joy in their eyes as we approach the Finish Line.

Tell us your best pacing experience.

One of my most memorable moments was last year when I noticed a man lying on the side of the road only 750 metres from the Finish Line.  I stopped, walked over to him and said, "Come on Buddy - you are only 4 minutes from the Finish Line, you did NOT come all this way to quit at this point!"  He looked up at me and asked, "I'm only 4 minutes from the Finish Line!!??"  I said, "Yes, come on together, we can do anything for only 4 minutes!"  He picked himself up and we finished the race, still slightly under 4:00 - he was ecstatic!!

Why should someone run in your pace group?

Most importantly, after being a Pacer for 7 different races, I have always made my pace time.  I spend a lot of time practicing my pace so I am comfortable with it on Race Day.  You can be confident that I will get you across the Line as my assigned time.  When I pace, my race strategy is to chat and tell dumb stories during the first 20 miles; however, for the next 5 miles, I usually get fairly quiet, then during the last mile I turn into the Supreme Encourager and Cheerleader yelling, “you’ve made it!! We’re almost Home!!!”

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

Drink like a Water Buffalo the day before the race.  Have a good dinner the afternoon before.  Do not eat or wear anything new or different.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Race like you trained!!