Gender: Male
Birthday: Mar 03, 1971
Age: 39
City: Pekin
State: IL
Website: www.peak.com, www.peakraces.com, www.youmaydie.com
About Me:
I grew up in Peoria, IL. I currently live in Middlebury, VT. Sloan and I were married in Kansas City in 1995. We moved back to Illinois and I took a teaching job at my old high school. I was there for two years before transferring to Pekin High. I taught in Pekin for 12 years and loved it. My wife and I decided to relcoate to Vermont in June of 2008 and it was the best move we could have made. We absolutely love Middlebury, Vermont, the Green Mountains, and the Adirondacks of New York.
We have two beautiful daughters, Grace, 11 and Jade, 7. Sloan 6th teacher in Proctor, VT and I am the assistant swim coach at Middlebury College and a high school P.E. Teacher. started swimming at age 5 and have been swimming since. I grew up playing all team sports but my main sport was swimming. I continued to swim in high school for one of the best teams in the State of Illinois and then swam all through college. I began cycling at a young age as well and tinkered with bikes growing up. I did my first triathlon in high school. I also ran starting at a young age and continued through junior high. I didn't pick up running again until my college swimming career ended. My first race as an adult was the Chicago Marathon and my second race was the Ice Age 50 Mile Run in Wisconsin. I grew to love the sport of ultrarunning, the locations of races, the athletes, etc. I especially love trail running. My love for the sport led me to direct a ultramarathon in Pekin, IL - McNaughton Park Trail Runs. McNaughton is going on it's 10th year and has become a passion of mine. 250 athletes travel from all over the US and a handful from other countries to explore the hidden gem known as McNaughton Park. Since then I have put on over 50 races of different disciplines - one adventure race, snowshoe marathon in Vermont, ultramarathon in Vermont, triathlons, local road races, and a mtn. bike race.
Motivation:
My three girls. My athletes that train hard and believe in themselves.
Goals:
Raise a happy and healthy family. Stay healthy and stay fit. Triple Ironman - 7.2 mile swim, 336 mile bike, 78 mile run. I was going to wait until 2009 for the Triple but I'm doing it in 2008. Swim the English Channel at some point. Hike the Appalachian Trail with my daughters. Ride Across America solo (trying to talk Sloan and the girls into supporting me in a RV) or I'll wait until the kids are older. Create a Triathlon Race with a 12 mile swim, 100 mile bike, 30 mile run.
Sponsors:
Injinji Socks Hammer Nutrition Peak
Occupation: Asst. Swim Coach Middlebury College
Youtube ID: peakraces
Business Name: Peak
Business Website: www.peak.com
Favorite People / Places: Two places I visit most are Pittsfield, Vermont and Naples, Florida
Favorite Websites: www.mcnaughtonparktrailruns.com
www.peak.com
Favorite Events: Pittsfield Snowshoe Marathon
McNaughton Park Trail Runs
Pittsfield Peaks Ultra Challenge
Pittsfield Death Race
Pittsfield 666 Mtn. Bike Race
Pittsfield Funeral Run
Favorite Gears: I have lots of swimming gear, paddling gear, running gear, and cycling gear.
Favorite Food / Drinks: Pizza
Nuts
Fruit
Pasta
Favorite Music / Movie: Country/Classic Rock/Rock
Favorite Book / Magazines: I like biographies about endurance athletes of all disciplines. My favorites are about ultrarunning, multi day events, marathon swimming, adventure racing, Iditarod, mountaineering, etc. I didn't read my first book until college, Walk Across America followed by Paradise Creek. I've read 5-6 books per year since then. I know that's not impressive to most but for me to sit down and read is a challenge.
I read Ultrarunning, National Geographic, Swimmers World, Marathon and Beyond, Canoe and Kayak, Outside, Adventure Cycling, Triathlete.
Favorite Sports / Teams: Swimming, Cycling, Running, Triathlon
My favorite sports to follow are
Winter and Summer Olympics
Ultrarunning - trail and multi day
Cycling - Road but I also enjoy mountain, track, cyclecross, mountain
Triathlon - ironman and longer
Running - Track, Cross Country, Road Races
High School and College Basketball
High School and College Swimming
Pro Football
Pekin Community High School Athletic Program
I'm a fan of all the high school programs.
Favorite Quotes: A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.
Walter Bagehot
Today is the day the Badger comes out to play.
Workout Routines / Fitness Tips: <p>Rise early and train consistently. Training varies depending on what race I'm getting ready for. Years ago I would get fanatic and do streaks of running or cycling at odd times (3 a.m.), trail running at night, running through cemetaries, etc. I've been released to ride now. I have two months to get ready for the Triple Ironman. I've been swimming with the Muffintops (masters swim team in Middlebury) and getting in some good long trail runs/hikes. I've been on the bike quite a bit as well. </p>
Top Sports: Swimming & Long Grueling Races
Dreams: <p>Raise a healthy happy family. Live comfortably in Vermont, vacation in Naples, FL.</p>