| Date of Birth: April 10, 1981
Hansons-Brooks Distance Project start: August 2004
Hometown: Sidney, MI
College: Central Michigan University (B.A.A.), Oakland University (M.S.)
Personal records: Mile 4:09; 5k 4:15; 10k 29:04; Half Marathon 1:04:05; Marathon 2:15:22
Events currently training for: 11.03.07
Miles run/week: 110-140, depending on training segment
Why do you run? I began running in my early teens as a way to be involved with athletics. I had played and loved baseball and basketball, but something always told me to stick with running. Now I run because I am starting to experience the things I had dreamed about since high school. Things like qualifying for the Olympic Trials, meeting almost all of my running heroes, racing against the best in the world. It's hard to say that running is a job, because it's still so much fun.
The best thing about being a Hansons-Brooks athlete? I think the best thing about being a Hansons-Brooks athlete is the way that Brooks has made us part of their family. I think it's probably the best athlete-sponsor relationship you could have. Also, just having teammates to help you through the tough races and workouts is amazing. This whole thing fails without all of our teammates involved.
How have you improved since joining the Hansons-Brooks ODP? There are so many things, but I think the most pertinent to anyone reading this is to have balance in your life. Running, work, or whatever cannot be the single focus in your life. There has to be some balance between running, work, family, and social responsibilities. If there isn't it just becomes too much and it wears down a person.
When did you start running? I started running when I was 12 years old.
What challenges do you face as an athlete? One challenge is to keep everything in your life moving forward. I think a lot of guys think they are going to be in their mid 20s for the rest of their lives. I want to be in a position that when it's time to hang up the flats that I can move into the next phase of my life without lingering too long. Once you realize that you are one injury away from retirement, it makes you think twice about 401K's, buying a home, starting a family, etc. On the flipside, it's sometimes hard, when things aren't going the best, it's hard not to not think of running as a job. No matter what, it still has to be fun.
What do you like to do when you're not running? I love playing golf and fishing in the summers and cooking out with the guys on the weekends. I also own my own business and always am working on ideas to help that grow. Winters are rough because you rarely feel like going outside.
Favorite event: For me it's the marathon, because it levels the playing field. It's such a humbling event, no matter who you are.
Favorite workout: 20-24 mile run with the last 2-4 miles at marathon pace or faster.
Favorite pre- and post-race foods: Pre-Race: Nothing tastes good because my stomach is always in knots, but I enjoy my morning coffee and a bagel with a banana. Post-Race: A soda pop to drink and steak and potatoes.
Role models: Greg Myer: a Michigan and Brooks guy. He has given us so much motivation to just go out and compete. Every time he talks to us I feel like I can go out and win Boston.
Dr. Goslin: He's in charge of the exercise science department at Oakland University. He was the chair of my thesis and was super tough, but everything I did, he made sure that I did it the right way and was thorough.
Mike Noll and Craig Fuller: My high school and college coaches. They both believed that I would be good one day and actually let me develop instead of pushing for too much too early. Through them I learned the value of even pacing and hard, but smart work. |
