| Date of Birth: July 30, 1978
Hansons-Brooks Distance Project start: December 2002
Hometown: Fridley, MN
College: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Personal records: 5k 14:12; 10k 29:15; Marathon 2:17:05
Events currently training for: 11.03.07
Miles run/week: 100-140, depends on what I'm training for.
Why do you run? I love running. I can't imagine not running. When I got a stress fracture and couldn't run, I hated life (and my wife says I was a bear to live with then). I realized that I would hate giving it up and getting a "regular job." I realized then how much I love this sport, and how much I'd miss it if I didn't/couldn't run.
The best thing about being a Hansons-Brooks athlete? Two things really. First: I get to go to the coolest races like the Boston Marathon, the Chicago Marathon, Peachtree 10k, Boilermaker 15k, the World XC Championships, etc. On top of all of that, I never have to pay my own expenses, and often times I even get a per diem on those trips. Can you imagine participating in a sport that you absolutely love and getting your travel covered and sometimes getting paid for it? Well, that's what I get! Second: I love getting to go run with the team everyday. It becomes such a nice "getaway" from the rest of life to go and just listen to the guys talk about anything and everything for an hour or so a day.
How have you improved since joining the Hansons-Brooks ODP?
When did you start running? My freshman year in High School - August 1993.
What challenges do you face as an athlete? Some financial challenges (I'm not an Olympian yet!), but mostly mental challenges. I have to look in the mirror every day and re-convince myself that I'm good enough to have the goal of being an Olympian. Sometimes it seems like it's so within reach that I can feel it happening, but usually it seems so far away. I have to convince myself every day that the easy runs, the cross training, the weight training, watching what I eat, etc. is going to pay off and that every little thing is important and really is moving me towards that goal.
What do you like to do when you're not running? Eat, sleep, and spend time with my wife.
Favorite event: Marathon.
Favorite workout: "The Simulator"
Favorite pre- and post-race foods: Anything carbs, but in the summer usually bread or bagels with jam or reduced-fat cream cheese, in the winter something hot like oatmeal or some homemade cracked-wheat or cracked-oat hot cereal. Sprinkle some cinnamon and raisin in those hot cereals, and it's nutritious and delicious.
Role models: Brian Sell. When I was recovering from my stress fracture, I watched and recognized how he worked so hard for so long with consistency that would make the sun and moon jealous. I realized that that's what it took, getting out there every day and working hard and never letting an excuse give you a reason to skip anything that you need to do to be the best. |
