How did your trail running journey begin?
I had taken a new job and my employer at the time I thought was very trendy and that they offered reimbursement for doing runs. I done a couple road 5K wasn’t very fast. Like a lot of us expectations are probably pretty high but I hadn’t been running a lot. A co-worker though suggested I trail race. I can’t say I was that much faster, but people were so genuine. Sharing their stories and encouraging it just seemed like a place I wanted to be. That race was the 5K Dino at Mounds State Park.You are a vital member of the Board. How long have you served on the Board? Why is volunteering your time at the trail running club important to you?
I learned about ITR after my first Tecumseh. I remember sitting on the tailgate of my truck and this guy comes by to ask me how I’m doing. Time I felt like crud. I don’t remember exactly what he said but I remember it ended up with him having me come over and have a beer and meeting some other ITR members, TY Jonathon Mclean. It wasn’t long after that that some of the folks had met met. Asked about starting a Meetup at Mounds. I remember showing up for the first one. There were five of us. Had a great time when I looked at each other and said okay who’s going to keep this thing going. I said I would so I reached out to the board and asked about making the Mounds meet up an official weekly run. About a year after that start at somewhere in 2019 the board reached out and asked if I wanted to be a part of it. I officially joined the board in 2020. For me, being a part of the board is about bringing like-minded people together who share a passion for trail running.
What is one of your favorite memories with the trail running club?
I believe it’s 2022. We started trail explorer series. The first one was at the DePaul nature center. We had a fantastic turnout. Just people who are passionate about running learning about this place they didn’t know about and hanging out with like-minded people was just a great day.
Where is your favorite place to run trails in Indiana?
While Mounds State Park will always hold a special place, Laura Hare Nature Preserve is favorite I always find myself going back to.
You just completed a marathon. How was that experience?
My longest race to date is a 50K. 50K and Marathon I found to be perfect distance for me. Well I love being on the trails. I always do the St Jude’s Marathon. I have always been passionate about helping kids and let’s face it cancer sucks so it brings the two worlds together. I’ve been a St. Jude Hero for 7 years now. Probably will for the rest of my life until they find a cure.
Any other races on the calendar?
I have Hawthorne Half Day, Trail Golf Endurance, and Tryon Farms right now.
Do you have a bucket list race or goal?
I love running new places. Running a trail race in all 50 states would be kind of cool. I’d like to also say I have ran a trail run in all 92 Indiana counties.