44; Technical Support at CENTRO, INC.
I <3 RUNNING: Running is magical. I’ve run marathons alongside the blind, witnessed my friend die at the end of a race and be brought back, and my brother’s classmate be hit by a car and walk away with just a skinned knee. I also ran the Elvis Presley 5K next to a gentleman who wore a shirt of him and Elvis arm-in-arm in high school, and I work out with my buddy, Phil, at the University of Memphis track, who’s 91! I’ve seen so many friends go through incredible transformations from running.
UP NEXT: I’m running the Memphis Runner’s Track Club Road Race Series with my son Dexter, who is competing in the Road Race Series mini-series. In October, we’re also racing the Walking Tall 25K
trail race.
FAV FITNESS ACCOMPLISHMENT: My marathon PR and Boston Qualifier was a 3:01:50,
6:56 min/mil, and got me fourth place o/a in the 03’14 Jackson, TN marathon, allowing me to get into and complete the Boston marathon the following year in 04’15, and later won first o/a at the Jackson, Tennessee marathon 04’23.
HOMETOWN: Germantown, Tennessee
SPEED BUMPS: In 2016, I faced a spine injury that spiraled into both physical and mental challenges. I went from 178 lbs. to 245 lbs., but through faith, family, and the support of a close-knit recovery community, I found healing — spiritually and physically.
MY GROUP: I’m proud to be a member of the Breakaway Race Team. Memphis has an amazing community of runners and free run groups.
FAV JAMS: “You Think I Ain’t Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire” by Queens Of The Stone Age
RECENT RACES: I sign up for most every local race and joke, “Race ’em all and let God sort out the PRs.”
BEST EATS: Sushi at SAKURA in Germantown. I usually split the Mexico Roll with Dexter.
DREAM DINNER COMPANY: My family. I’m grateful we get to eat dinner together most nights.
If I could dream big, I’d skip dinner and go surfing with Jesus.
GO-TO GEAR: My Garmin watch and HOKA Speed Goat trail shoes.
INSPIRATION TO BE FIT: My friends, our community of runners, and my son. He’s my accountability buddy, making sure I get my workouts done every day.
ON MY NIGHTSTAND: I look forward to Memphis Health + Fitness every month. It helps fill the gap since the MRTC Roadrunner magazine ended. I enjoy seeing local friends and the BPC Coach’s Corner advice features.
PET PEEVE: Stopping a GPS at six miles only to have it upload as 5.99 — so frustrating — bike lanes and sidewalks that end and begin abruptly, and race award announcers who omit the winner’s finish times.
BINGE-WATCHING: I’m currently watching “Dragon Ball Super” with Dexter while lifting weights.
BUCKET LIST: I want to win a marathon with my son and come in first and second place together on the podium.
