How old are you?
52
Where do you live?
Philadelphia, USA
Strava
What is your history with sports and athletics?
I swam competitively as a teenager but after that was pretty inactive and had zero interest in doing anything sports/athletic until about age 37. To raise funds for a charitable organization, I decided to do something that no-one would think I’d be capable of or ever do – a triathlon. Completed that goal and then kept training until I hit the half Ironman distance. The swim came natural to me, the bike I loathed but what it brought to me was something new and I found that I really enjoyed it. As I kept training for triathlons, the running kept winning, so ultimately, I decided to ditch the bike and focus on run goals. Now, I train hard and over the years have built strength/mobility/stability work into my training programs which has helped me greatly as a runner.
What do you enjoy most about being an athlete?
I like the headspace running provides. I’m a no music and early dark runner, so I enjoy that it removes me from devices and running in that quiet space/time where there’s only me in the world. The ancillary benefits of running/training are of course also wonderful as I get older. I will admit though that what motivates me is being competitive with myself. Setting goals that you have to work hard to achieve, that definitely drives me. The running/headspace to get there is what I enjoy. I’ve met some amazing people both as running/pace partners and at races. Racing is brilliant! The energy and being around people all collectively chasing goals – it’s just electric! I think my proudest accomplishment was going sub 3 at marathon for the first time when I was 48. It’s all a fantastic journey!
Have you experienced any challenges or obstacles?
I’ve had a few injuries here and there over the past 12 or so years. Weirdly, any breaks haven’t been run related, mostly dumb falls, etc. that have taken me out of action for a time. Last year, I was training hard for a big goal at the Berlin Marathon but a non-run related health issues came out of the blue that required surgery and led to various post surgery issues that had me benched for the longest time ever. In March of 2022, I was cleared to get back to training and I’m enjoying clawing my way back to fitness with last year’s Berlin goal now in my sights for September this year.
Has your participation helped you overcome any major life issues?
Not one major issue but I do think that running has definitely helped with maintaining a healthy mindset and using that run space as my space for processing the little and the large challenges that life may be throwing me.
What is your “why?”
To find out what I can do with my body to achieve my goals. As I get older, my new goals keep pushing me to run faster. We’ll see how long that lasts.
What is your favorite gear or training equipment?
I’m that runner who probably doesn’t know how to use half the things on my Garmin and am a pretty no-fuss run kit fella. I’d say my favorite piece of kit are two pairs of Mizuno running shorts that should probably be thrown out by now but I keep going back to them. I’ll be racing in them in tatters soon!
Do you have a favorite race or event?
I enjoy running fast, so 5k is a favorite distance to race. After that, I think half marathon is my favorite longer event. However, I seem to keep doing marathons these days in my quest to run all six World Majors. Berlin and Chicago are on the calendar for 2022.
What’s next?
Just about to start marathon training for Berlin in September. That’s my goal race this year, with a 2:50 or under the goal. Chicago is a few weeks after that but hoping that will just be for fun if I nail my Berlin goal.
Any fun facts about yourself?
Even though I work with a great coach, I’m known for randomly jumping into races when they’re not on plan or doing two 5ks in one day. That’s the kind of idiot my poor coach has to deal with.
Do you have any advice for someone interested in getting started?
Find the sport/activity you like to do first because then you’ll keep doing it. That’s what running became for me. I still don’t like the bike and will do everything I can to avoid it. Don’t let the first few weeks of doing any sport/activity defeat you. We’ve all started somewhere. I hated running the first 4-5 weeks I did it. Nothing felt right about it to me. But sticking with it, I began to see improvements in my form/pace/speed and that just kept me going. If you stick with it to see some result, it can be incredibly motivating. Some other key bits of advice I’d give to anyone starting out on their running journey is to make sure you get properly fitted for shoes, from a local running store who know their stuff and to add strength/stability training into your run training program.