What is your favorite sport?

My favorite sport is baseball.  I played baseball/softball until I was 40 years old.  Then, I have coached my kid's baseball teams for the past 15 years.  Unfortunately, I am a diehard Pittsburgh Pirates fan.

What are your goals?

My goals are to get into better shape & ultimately lose weight.  I have already lost some weight & my blood pressure has improved at the same time.  I would like to be able to run five miles without having to walk. 

What motivates you?

It not what motivates me, but who motivates me.  My wife, Kathie, has been working out 5 to 6 times a week for the past few years.  She runs her own business & takes care of our family.  She is an amazing woman.
 
Then, in May of 2009, Joella came into my life.  I joined her beginning walking/running group.  For the first two months I think I was the only person in the group.  We walked/ran twice a week.  I can't believe how patient she is with me.  Now she has me doing something six days a week!  I don't know if I should thank her or be mad at her.  Every muscle in my body has been sore at one time or another.  But my wife always tells me never to complain in front of Joella!  I think that is great advice.  Joella is another amazing person in my life.  She volunteers so much of her personal time to help someone like you and me.  She always encourages me by telling me I am getting better, even when I know I probably am not.

What's your favorite food?
Everyone who runs with me probably knows my favorite food is pie; just about any kind of pie.

What's your favorite song, band or music to listen to when exercising?

I don't have a particular favorite song, but I like to listen to Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles & Bob Dylan.  I guess I am showing my age.

If you could pick one athlete to talk to or workout with, who would it be and why?

This is an easy one.  I already get to work out with the athlete that I would most want to.  This would be my running coach, Joella Baker.  Why do I choose her? I think for anybody who knows her knows why.  Since she completed an Iron Man in 2009 & finished first in her age group I would like to be able to do 1% of what she does.  She definitely motivates me to do my best.

What is your favorite sports drink and energy fuel?

I do not have a favorite sports drink, but I do drink some G2 once in a while.

If you compete, what is the one race or competition you would like to do at least once?  What is your favorite race you've competed in?

At this time I do not have a particular race that I would like to compete in.  Until May I had never ran in a race before in my entire life.  I  ran (not competed, but ran) in three 5K's in 2009.  Joella had me enter a 5K three weeks after I had walked/ran for the first time! In fact in my most recent 5K, The Grandparent's Race, I won my first medal for placing third in my age group.  I was totally embarrassed when Joella presented me with the medal because, you may have guessed, but thank you for not asking, there were only three runners in my age group! And I definitely knew it.  But for the first time I actually passed some other runners, or should I say walkers, that day.  So, I guess this would be my favorite race.

List some of your major athletic or health accomplishments?

I have received three Most Valuable Player awards in baseball & softball.  I received one in High School & I received my last one at the age of 40.

Anything else you would like to add?

I think one of the best things about the running club is that Kathie & I have met so many really nice people.