Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself. (Where you’re from, what you’re doing now…etc)
A: I grew up in South Dakota in Hot Springs and then Mobridge. I landed in Colorado in my 20’s and spent quite a few years there between Denver and Fort Collins. When I decided to return to school to become a teacher, I moved back to Spearfish and finished my degree at BHSU. I currently teach 6th grade math in Belle Fourche, help coach Cross Country and volunteer with the High School Track Team.
Q: How long have you been running and how did you get started?
A: I ran Cross Country in Middle and early High School half heartedly, I was no good. I ran a little in Fort Collins to stay fit but just around the neighborhood. I was pretty heavy into weight lifting and Spin classes with a little running thrown in when a friend invited me to the Hell’s Canyon trail race about three and a half years ago. After that I was hooked.
Q: Would you rather run with a group or alone?
A: I definitely like to run with others, I look forward to the weekly group trail runs. I don’t mind running alone, especially if I need to clear my head.
Q: Do you prefer roads or trails?
A: Trails are where it’s at although I find myself running on roads a great deal with the cross country and track teams.
Q: What is your favorite distance or race?
A: It turns out I’m a decent marathoner but I love that eight to ten mile distance that the trail series offers. Mystic Mountain is a personal favorite race and so was Crow Peak.
Q: How do you stay motivated when you don’t want to run?
A: I’ll usually try and get someone to go out on a run with me. If you’ve made a commitment, you can’t bail.
Q: If I didn’t run I’d ………..
A: I’m not sure at this point
Q: What do you find to be the most rewarding thing about running?
A: Crossing the finish line at a race you’ve trained hard for and then celebrating with your friends who also ran the race.
Q: What is your favorite running memory?
A: I’ve had two very successful marathons in the last year or so. 2016 Crazy Horse and 2017 Sundance to Spearfish.
Q: Do you have a pre-race ritual?
A: Banana, peanut butter crunch cliff bar, and lots of water.
Q: What are your running goals for the future?
A: I’d like to go on some adventure runs specifically the Pacific Northwest, Northern California, maybe the Grand Canyon eventually.
Q: Who inspires you most?
A: The great group of people I run with on a regular basis. We’re all at different places in our personal running but we come together and enjoy one another’s company, offer encouragement during training, and cheer one another on during races.
Q: What advice do you have for new runners?
A: Stick with it, it’ll be a little miserable at first but the rewards are worth the effort. Find a group and turn some of your running into a social experience.