Team Running Free Alumni

Member Since: 2007

Occupation: Owner of a nursery school

Home: Roseneath

About Me: Graduating from university in 2001, I worked at IBM for a number of years in the Technical Services Organization, before leaving to follow my entrepreneurial aspirations. I am now in my first year of ownership of the Colwell Nursery School in Pickering, ON- and loving it! My wife, Melissa and I live in the heart of Trent Hills, in a little village named Roseneath (about a half hour northeast of Cobourg)- Country life suits us just fine after spending nearly 10 years in and around the bustling metropolis of Toronto. Our dog, Daffodil (Border Collie mix) accompanies me on most of my running workouts.

Sports: Running, Cycling (XC MTB and Road), Dirt Bike Riding

Athletic Goals: Break 16:30 on a certified 5km course -Break 35:00 on a certified 10km course -Get back under 2:00 minutes for 800m -Top 5 overall placing 2007 Ontario Cup XC MTB- Senior Expert

My most catastrophic racing experience was: I have a rare condition-so rare and disturbing in fact, that I must forewarn readers of the content that follows. The medical diagnosis has technically been termed Zeus-Caboose syndrome. It causes the sufferer, while riding his road bike, to involuntarily tense, cramp and seize his rear end muscles, offering onlookers a marvel of chiseled spandex magnificence, resulting in inversely proportionate performance. Symptoms of this terrible disorder escalate when road biking is paired with running. The mere mention of the word “Duathlon” elicits flashbacks of little girls on BMX bikes, equipped with handlebar streamers and baskets, screaming by me on the up hills during the bike leg. As I write this, I’m reminded of the sinister hum of the baseball cards in their spokes as they pass, and of the searing pain that will follow during the run leg of the race, as I soldier around the course straight-legged and humiliated.

My most memorable racing experience was: Might have been back in high school, during the NOSSA Tack and Field 800m finals. I didn’t win that day, but I’ve never run a braver race- Came all the way from behind during the last 300 metres to finish just short at the line.

Favourite Racing Gear: I'm not picky when it comes to footwear. I'm a toe-runner, so I try to look for shoes with a little more cushioning up front as opposed to in the heel. Although I've settled on Saucony for the last several pairs, I can't say I have any major complaints with any of the brands/models I've worn.

Favourite Race Food: Pre-race food: Vector cereal, bagel with peanut butter, maybe a power bar and a gel. Favorite drink: I'm a Hammer Man! I really like Vanilla Hammer Gel mixed with water. It has a sort of an odd taste to it- not sweet, that seems to go down well during hard efforts.