What is your current Board Position? I work on all of our races and events.
How long have you been running and how long have you been a member of Indy Runners? I started running way back when I joined my junior high cross-country team. I ran cross-country and track throughout high school and took a long break when I went to college. I rekindled my love of running in my late 20’s and have been running ever since.
Are you originally from the Indianapolis Area? I’m originally from a small town in northcentral Indiana called Peru. It’s the circus capital of the world! I moved to Indy after I graduated from college and have now been here for 22 years.
Do you listen to anything while running? If so, what? I listen to a bunch of stuff and it depends on what I have planned that day. I really enjoy the Rich Roll Podcast, Fuel for the Sole Podcast, and typically listen to autobiographies. When I’m listening to music, well, it gets pretty diverse but it’s usually some crazy playlist I created on Spotify.
What is your favorite distance/race? I really enjoy the half-marathon. It’s long enough to be a strong challenge but it doesn’t dominate my life like marathon training.
What do you enjoy most about Indy Runners? I love connecting with our fellow runners in Indy Runners. It’s great seeing those that are just starting out on their running journey while also swapping stories and training tips with some of the more seasoned runners.
Do you have any goals for the upcoming year? My goal is to incorporate more strength training in my routine
Why did you begin running? I started running back in junior high because I was terrible at all of the other sports! I took it back up in my late 20’s because I needed a lifestyle change. I was able to drop several unhealthy habits and pick up a new, healthy habit of running.
What is your favorite running motto/mantra? My favorite mantra is “Relentless Forward Progress”. One year when I was running the Monumental Marathon, I saw someone holding up a huge sign with this mantra right at the halfway point. It really stuck with me and became my go-to mantra not just in running, but in my daily life.
What advice would you give to beginning runners? Don’t compare yourself to others, actively seek inspiration, be your own hero. Those runners you see out there crushing big miles with a fast pace started the same way you did. It just takes time. We are all on our own personal journeys and what works for one person may not work for another. There’s a lot of toxicity out there in the running culture to constantly improve and achieve. Don’t buy into it and follow your own path, and that starts with listening to what your body is telling you.
What is your favorite route to run? I really enjoy running the trails out at Ft. Ben. I don’t get to do it very often, but it’s never boring
What is your favorite running book/movie? While it’s not really a running book, I love The Alchemist by Paul Coelho. Eat to Run by Scott Jurek is fantastic and changed the way I look at food and running.
Tell us a little bit about yourself outside of running? Outside of running, I’m a project manager in the pharma industry. I’m married and my wife and I spend a lot of time with hanging out with our dogs. I enjoy hiking and spending time in nature and I love to travel and explore new cities.
What is your prerace routine? I like to get to the starting area early so I can feel relaxed. I try to find a quiet place and listen to some music that gets me mentally ready to race. I’ll do some light stretches and go through my gear/nutrition to make sure that I have everything. Once I feel ready, I head to the starting line and just focus on the task ahead.
What is your post run/race meal? I honestly don’t want to eat anything after I run. I’m just not hungry. So instead, I try to drink a protein shake and start taking in hydration. Later on that day though, I hear a jar of peanut butter calling my name.
What is your proudest running moment? My proudest running moment was when I crossed the finish line at my first marathon. I never wanted to run a marathon but got convinced to do it. There is no feeling quite like crossing that line – it justifies all of the early mornings, all of the miles, and all of the other work it takes just to get to the starting line.
What might club members find surprising about you? I used to be a light smoker before I picked up running again. It was a bad habit that I picked up in college and it needed to go. The day I made the decision to start running was the same day as my last cigarette. Never again.