| Date of Birth: August 2, 1983 |
| Sport: Ultra and Mountain Running |
| Years of Experience: I’ve been running for 13 years and 2008 will be my 3rd season competing in ultras. |
| Favorite Event: 100 mile mountain races…I guess the Leadville 100 has been my favorite event so far just because of all the excitement surrounding it; plus, Hope Pass (12,600’ pass that is ascended at both miles 45 and 55) is always a good time. |
Favorite NB outdoor shoe: 790 |
| What does it mean to you being a member on the NB Outdoor Ambassador Program? Gratitude. Gratitude that a company exists that is willing to manufacture products that withstand the demands I require of them and gratitude that that company is actually willing to support me, thereby making my pursuit of highest-level performances and a satisfying lifestyle possible. |
| Favorite inspirational quote? “I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson |
| Why do you do what you do? What's your motivation? For the most part, we exist in a numb, dead society. I’m doing my best to be alive and running in the mountains is the best way I’ve found to do that. And because I love the effortlessness that sometimes occurs while cruising down a cushy pine-needle singletrack or even while grinding up a switchback above tree line. And I love how I can run up and into a mountain cirque or over a pass and be completely dwarfed and humbled by the sheer immensity and grandiosity of the landscape and I love flying down the other side with the breeze in my hair and the gravel in my shoes and the burning in my quads and the branches in my face and then when I'm finally all worn out there's nothing like peeling my shoes off and just sitting. Just being at rest. Running sharpens the focus on life and intensifies the emotions. Is there any better reason to do anything? |
| Any advice for others in your sport? Take the time to figure out why it is you are doing what you’re doing and draw on that most essential, most basic motivation when you get tired during training or racing and realize that—even if life seems a bit uncomfortable now—you will undoubtedly feel better—about yourself, about life—if you press on and finish instead of giving up and quitting. Doing well in ultras is largely about perseverance: perseverance in the consistency of your training and perseverence in the face of race hardships. The more often you persevere, ultimately, over time, the easier and more effortless your running will become. |
