Profession… I work for the government.
I started running in… 2004. The first time I remember running, other than as a happy child when running was the natural locomotion, was in high school at a skills test when they made us run a mile. Knowing nothing better, I ran as fat as I could and felt like puking at the end. A sharp side stitch and a red face convinced me that I hated running and I avoided it diligently ever after.
Fast forward to 2003 and training to do the Avon 3 Day Walk for Breast Cancer and I saw all kinds of people out running: big, small, old, young. And I thought… hmmmmmmmmm… In 2004, I signed up to run the Pacific Shoreline Half Marathon and started to train myself how to run. Ignorance is such bliss. After that fiasco, I decided I better join a training group and learn how to do this correctly. For some reason, slow as I was, in pain as I was, I loved it and wanted more. Now here I am, a tiny bit faster, 7 marathons under mybelt and countless other races, and I am still hooked.
I’ve been with AREC since… May of 2005, when I joined the marathon training group.
My running experience with AREC has been… delightful. Having friends to meet and run with is one of the very best parts of my new life as a runner. It is one of the few groups where there is a continuity of involvement from the members, and when they say ‘all abilities welcome,’ they really mean it.
The best thing about AREC is… getting to brag about knowing the member/celebrities like, Todd Rose, Emmett Rahl, Tam Premsrirath, Chuck Sohaskey etc.
Life/sport philosophy… is ‘Goals are good, but it isthe journey to them that is the most important part.’
Favorite spot to be active… is along the bike path at Bolsa Chica at sunrise. I love the ocean and thesight of healthy fit young men stripping beside their cars.
I run because…I want to be healthy and fit for the rest of my life and be able to live to the fullest.
When I’m not running I… am reading, or painting or taking a nap. Oh and my boss expects me to work 40 hours a week too, which really cuts into my nap times.
My favorite running surface is… dirt fire roads that aren’t too steep.
My pre-race meal is… half of a banana and a handful of almonds, and a cup of coffee!
After a race I treat myself to… yogurt and fruit, or sometimes scrambled eggs.
My favorite race is… the next one on my agenda.
My goal is… to get faster and place in my age group every time.
I’m inspired by… all the runners who get out there every week, rain or shine, cold or hot, tired or hurting, and make it part of who they are.
My best training tip… is to mix up your paces, run hard sometimes, but run easy most of the time.
The best advice I ever got was… ’Don’t forget to breathe.’
I want to improve in… my strength so that I can go uphills better.
I love… that thrumming feeling you get all over after along, long run.
I hate… ice baths.
I run marathons because… it impresses the heck out of my family and friends.
I wish…I had learned to run many, many years ago.
To all… encourage your children and teens to love running, don’t push them too hard or discourage them if you can. It is one of the best life-long gifts you can give.