57; Internal Communications Manager at Youth Villages; U.T. Extension Master Gardener
INSPIRATION TO BE FIT: My grandchildren and I want to live long enough to experience as much as the world offers.
MOST MEMORABLE FITNESS EVENT: Winning my first 10K at 16 in my hometown of Oxford, Miss. I was led through town and around Ole Miss with a police escort – it was quite the thrill and encouraged me to keep running.
GO-TO GEAR: A hydration container. I’m a heavy sweater and have only recently learned to appreciate the importance of replacing those important fluids.
MY GROUP: Running Republic, BPC, Breakaway/St. Jude Marathon Training Group, and Memphis Runners Track Club
BINGE-WATCHING: The Brokenwood Mysteries, or any good British mystery.
FAV INDULGENCE: Cookie dough. It’s SO good!
BEST EATS: Café 1912 or Huey’s hamburger with cheese fries – I split those with my wife.
DREAM DINNER COMPANY: The original IronMan, Gordon “The Man” Haller. I have so many questions.
BUCKET LIST: Top of the list, and a long-term goal, is to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. Previously, I was an assistant director for the Appalachian Regional Commission and visited many states encompassing this 2,200-mile trek.
UP NEXT: Finishing the Road Race Series, Youth Villages 5K – I’m a team captain.
SPEED BUMPS: In my mid-20s, I suffered a serious ankle injury that first put me on the path to incorporating more cycling and swimming into my workouts. I eventually recouped enough to focus primarily on running, but now Father Time harkens me back to a more diverse exercise regimen.
FAVE FITNESS ACCOMPLISHMENT: Hiking a week on the Appalachian Trail during winter in knee-deep snow and ice.
RECENT RACES: Northwest Arkansas Tour de BBQ 30-miler cycle, Dragonfly Tri, Sardis, Miss., MRTC RR Series (5K, 5-miler, 10K and 10-miler), West Cancer Center 62-miler cycle, St. Jude Half IRONMAN
ON MY NIGHTSTAND: “David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants” by Malcolm Gladwell
QUOTE: “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” –Thomas Edison
Photo by Kaeyla Willis
