48, Program Advertising Manager at Navy Recruiting Command, Air National Guardsman with the 164th Airlift Wing with 23 years in Air Force, Chapter Captain of Team Red, White, and Blue Memphis. Intermediate 1 coach for Women’s Run Walk Memphis.
1
I completed my first marathon in Biloxi along the Gulf of Mexico in December. I’ve run 20+ half marathons, but I was surprised I finished the full. I had a wild case of the butterflies as the bus took me 26 miles away from the finish line.
2
Immediately after the marathon, I stopped near the finish line and did 26 push-ups. Then I kissed my wife and got some hot gumbo to warm up.
3
One of my most memorable experiences was my first long distance run, the Tower of Terror 10-Miler at Walt Disney World in 2012. The run was at 10 pm, and my parents were there to watch. Afterward, we stayed up past midnight going on rides.
4
I love to run because it’s part of my fitness regimen, I get an endorphin boost, and I love to travel across the country for weekend run-cations. My goal is to run a half marathon in all 50 states. Through the military, I’ve been able to run on four continents.
5
My wife, family, military coworkers, and friends motivate me, and seeing what I do motivates them; it’s cyclical.
6
I had sciatica in my lower back in the summer of 2010. After I recovered, I failed my Air Force fitness test. I couldn’t even run 1.5 miles in time. I got a pep talk from a senior leader who told me before I run again I need to learn how to walk and breathe. I still preach this to new runners or struggling military coworkers who can’t finish the 1.5 mile run in time.
7
I’m a passionate Cleveland sports fan. I was born in Cleveland and raised on Indians, Browns, and Cavaliers.
8
There is a saying by P90X fitness trainer Tony Horton—“Take care of your body, and your body will take care of you.”
INTERVIEW BY HAILEY THOMAS. PHOTO BY PHILIP MURPHY.
