Running: 10 years
Trail Running: 6 years
My wife Jenny and I were transferred to Saint Paul, MN, where the closest gym was 30 mins away and we found ourselves making excuses to not go. At the time, we lived above a running store (The Running Room) and decided to cancel our gym memberships and invest that money in running apparel. It was winter at the time, so we got winter gear and started training outside in sub-zero temps for a half-marathon.
The Frozen Half. It was in Janurary in Saint Paul, MN. As you can imagine, it lived up to it's name. It was a balmy -15 degrees at the start. In fact, our water was completely frozen in the first 10K.
50 miles. It is still a long distance, but it is completely doable without needing a crew (although it is nice to have one sometimes.)
The Leadville 100. I had 4 other friends running it with me, and was also friends with most of their crew members. It was like a party every time we came into an aid station. Plus running with friends is what it's all about.
Any of Coach Robyn's speed work. I hate trying to run fast...I guess that is why I like ultras.
Pizza (ham and pineapple) and beer!
As bad as this is going to sound, I think through problems and challenges at work. One thing is for sure, by the end of a long day running, I usually have some solutions to my problems. It is funny how doing something that you love helps clear your mind.
You only have one shot at life. Live every day to its fullest and maximize the amount of time on activities that will help make me my "best self".
Don't be afraid, but train smart. It is amazing what your body is capable of.
Run Rabbit Run 100 miler and qualify for Western States (and of course stay healthy)
Drinking a Kong in recovery boots, and hanging out with some of my best friends after a run.
The people. It starts with the owners (Brian and Robyn), and then all of the other amazing people that they attract to be EDGE athletes. They really make me an all around better person.
I was once quite the redneck from GA. I had long hair, drove a lifted Z71 truck with 33 inch Super-Swamper mud tires. My truck had a gun rack in the back window of which often times held a 30/30 that I used to deer hunt.
As I trained for the Rio Paralympics, EDGE was the perfect place for me to recover in between my grueling workouts so I could perform my best day after day. It all paid off when I earned a bronze medal in Rio! Whether it's for bike, run or strength training, recovering in a pair of recovery boots, drinking a cup of coffee or chatting with the members about their past and current races, it is one of my favorite places to go - EDGE Athlete Lounge has become my second home!
I use EDGE for both training and recovery… having the Woodway treadmills and a room to do weights and other-related strength exercises when I need them is very helpful and convenient. Without question, utilizing EDGE on a consistent basis has helped me stay injury-free. In fact, as someone who has a history of being injured, since joining EDGE, I have yet to experience a significant injury. I attribute that largely to having ready access to state of the art recovery tools that EDGE provides its members with.
I will be racing the Boston Marathon in April, a race in which I am targeting a sub-2:30. Bearing that Boston goes according to plan, I intend on attacking a 2:25 clocking at the 2017 Chicago Marathon! Furthermore, I am planning on breaking 15:00 in the 5K and 1:09 in the half-marathon
EDGE helped me fight my way to the title of North American Cycle Courier Champion in 2016 and I’ve got 2017 in the crosshairs. As a full time bike messenger and a professional cyclist, my schedule allows very little time to give my muscles a break. The amazing staff and facilities at EDGE have allowed me to give my body the much needed recovery it needs between rides and have helped me ride farther, ride harder, and ride stronger than ever before. Fresh legs TRULY bring FAST TIMES!
