Profession…I design and develop performance-based training programs for clients in the automotive industry. I hold professional certifications in all areas of automotive repair and couple that with an MBA to bring unique insights into the business of automotive customer service.
I started running…formally in 1967 as a sophomore in high school. I remember I tried out for the football team because the cross country team’s races were 2.5 miles and that seemed like a marathon at the time. The football team only ran 100 yards at a time.
Life/sport philosophy…Whenever I have a doubt I remind myself that I’m having a great life. Every step you take is further from the start and closer to the finish so make it worthwhile!
Favorite spot to be active…running in the canyons through the fog at sunrise.
Athletic highlights…My twin brother and I both earned college scholarships because of our successful high school careers. I’ve had the good fortune to run in track meets in all the big venues—Madison Square Garden, The Penn Relays, The Olympic Invitational and the NCAA meets among them.
My running experience with AREC has been…a growth experience. My hope is to meet one new person each week. At the rate AREC is growing, I won’t run out of people to meet for a few years!
I’ve been with AREC since…I was invited to join by some friends who were volunteers at the Pacific Shoreline Marathon. I’m guessing it was at least 6 years ago.
The best thing about AREC is…diversity. The membership embraces runners from different cultures, different abilities and different life experiences.
I run because…I don’t know if I’m running to something or running away from something but I just know it does my soul good to keep on running.
When I’m not running I…love to cook…its like having permission to play with knives.
My favorite running surface is…the beach at a full moon low tide running barefoot through the sand.
My pre-race meal is…a venti coffee, black, no sugar.
After a race I treat myself to…ice cream. I’ll treat myself to that even when I don’t race.
My favorite race is…The Huntington Beach 4th of July Race down Main Street. It reminds me of the Wonder Years days of small town America when life was much more simple then.
My goal is…I try to run at least one marathon per year to remind myself of my humanity and to restore my humility.
My running mantra…I love the old Joe Sample song “25 miles to go.”
I’m inspired by…brilliant people, inventors and ordinary people who do extraordinary things and think that what they’ve done is ‘no big deal.’
My best training tip…remember that sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you. Good form will get you through a bad workout.
The best advice I ever got was…to believe in myself. Henry Ford once observed “Whether you truly believe that you can do something or whether you believe that you cannot, either way you are right.”
I want to improve in…most things I do, but they don’t have to be perfect, just better.
I love…my wife and kids, and running in the rain. Also, I really love working running events as it gives me a chance to give back something to the sport I love.
I hate…interval workouts.
I run marathons because…they are great social events. I’ve run somewhere around 35 marathons and I’m constantly amazed at how many people I literally run into on the course that I know or who know me.
I wish…everyone took the time to volunteer to work at least one event per year. Working the events gives you an appreciation for the sport and makes it possible to continue the events into the future.
My best experience was…Beyond the many championships I’ve been a part of, the best of all memories was finishing the Los Angeles Marathon with my son Brian in 1998. We crossed the finish line arms raised in a true Kodak moment.
To all…my friends, see you on the streets and trails!