The Spokane Marathon is pleased to feature inspirational athletes who have completed, or plan to complete, one of our races (The Spokane Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, or Marathon Relay). We will feature athletes of all speeds, ages, and chosen distances. By the way, we think you’re all pretty darn inspirational! If you would like to be considered or would like to nominate another athlete please apply!
Would you like to be one of our Featured Athletes? For consideration please answer the following questions and submit your responses to Marathon@TheSpokaneMarathon.com.
- How long have you been a runner?
- What gets you out the door to train? What motivates you?
- What are your goals for the 2016 Spokane Marathon/Half Marathon/10K/Marathon Relay?
- Do you have any race day rituals?
- Do you have any advice for new runners?
- Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?
If you would like to nominate someone else to be a Featured Athlete please submit their name, their email address or phone number, and let us know why they inspire you. For consideration please email your nomination to Marathon@TheSpokaneMarathon.com.
How long have you been a runner?
I have been running for 37 years, since the 4th grade - with the District 81 running club, Bloomsday training group, and school cross country team. I was one of the slowest runners that year, if not THE slowest. I credit chasing a soccer ball around for the next 2 years to help build speed and endurance, and by the 6th grade I won my first race. I was hooked on running regardless by that point, but winning a race was an incredible feeling that just made me want to train more.
What gets you out the door to train?
That has always been hard, especially since I prefer to run at night over morning. In 2010 the cross country team I help coach (Central Valley boys) got dogtags that read "Dawn Patrol". We gave them to runners who ran in mornings (doing two-a-day runs). I hang my dog tag on my door knob, and seeing it (and knowing that the athletes I coach are out running) helps inspire me to get out the door!
What motivates you?
ALL RUNNERS. I feed off seeing other runners improve, excel, get/stay healthy, and have fun. That's why I coach at CV HS and help mentor at Fleet Feet Sports running stores. I am grateful to be healthy enough to run and as long as I'm healthy I will run, and be with like-minded runners. I try to run in as many social running clubs as
Do you have any race day rituals?
Probably less than others. Coaching high school athletes has taught me not to be superstitious. I prepare and warm up the same way I coach my athletes which includes a dynamic warmup routine I borrowed from Galen Rupp.
Do you have any advice for new runners?
Don't have any expectations other than you are going to enjoy yourself and give a strong effort; set goals that are realistic; listen to your body which means you don't HAVE to follow a training program precisely; rest (and slow/recovery) days are JUST as important as hard days; know your body will "fight you" when you start anything new but after 2-3 weeks, it will begin to know that you aren't going to stop this new activity and it will start feeling better; stay with it because humans were meant to run, it's in our ancestry and DNA and our bodies were designed for it.
Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?
Two, both by Jimmy Valvano: "Don't give up. Don't ever give up." and "If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special."
How long have you been a runner?
I don’t know the exact year I started running. It had to have been in the early '80s. There were a couple runners where I worked so I got interested. One of our doctors was a marathoner. Never did I think I would do a marathon and I have done 7 (all after I was 59). I started competing after I moved back to Spokane and found the BRRC(Bloomsday Road Runners Club).
What gets you out the door to train?
I do not need anything specific to get out the door to train. I have the time and want to stay in shape.
What motivates you?
When I was doing more races, I had to train so I could place in my age group.
Do you have any race day rituals?
I have to have my coffee on race day morning.
How long have you been a runner?
I've been running off and on since 1994 when I was introduced to it at a summer camp at UC Irvine by one of the counselors.
What motivates you?
What motivates me is knowing that I'm getting older and that I have only a couple of more years before speed starts to decline, so I really want do well and attain some running goals while I still can. I don't want to look at the past and wonder what if.
What are your running goals for 2017?
So far this year I have achieved 3 of my goals. One was to run a sub 1:20 half-marathon. I did that back in March when I ran Snake River Half in 1:19:14. My next goal was to run the Boston Marathon 1 hour faster than when I ran it the first time back in 2007. I again achieved that goal running a 2:49:45 in not ideal weather. My third goal this year was to run Bloomsday in 45 minutes or better although what I really wanted was to run the race at a sub 6 min pace which I finally did this year, with a time of 44:27. My upcoming goals for the year are to run the New York City Marathon in 2:45 or better, and run a Half Marathon at 6 min pace or better. Oh and also repeat as champions with the Spokane to Sandpoint Team this year.
Do you have any advice for new runners?
My advice is to keep at it. You might not see results as fast as you want but if you stay consistent and eat healthy you will. Don't get easily discouraged. Remember that a lot of runners are fast because they have been running for years it's very rare to see someone be good overnight. It took me 18 tries to break 3 hours in the marathon and it took me my 6th time in Bloomsday to run a sub 6 min pace the whole race. Results didn't come overnight but when I did achieve them it truly was special.
Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift" - Steve Prefontaine
