Biography

I have been an athlete my entire life. Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, my youth was spent playing team sports – primarily football, basketball, and baseball - and was highlighted by winning the Illinois State Championship in high school football my junior year. When I entered college I didn’t know what to do with myself so I thought I would give triathlon a try. Within a few years a couple friends and I gave the Ironman distance a go. I figured if I couldn’t go fast I may as well keep going longer! I then made a grave mistake by moving to the athletic capital of the USA – Boulder, CO. Living here has gotten me involved in things way over my head, but it’s always been a lot of fun! Most places you go people think completing an Ironman is a big accomplishment, however, here in Boulder they want to know how many you’ve done in the past month! Hanging with the wrong crowd here has gotten me into running ultra-marathons and contemplating the prospects of competing in RAAM someday. And there’s no relief in sight!

Below is a brief summary of my triathlon/running resume:

• Seven-time Ironman finisher (Great Floridian (x2), Hawaii, IMFL, IMCA, 5430 Tri, IMNZ)
• Three 50km trail races, two 50+ mile trail races, numerous road and trail marathons
• Over 75+ triathlons of various distances – sprint, Olympic, and half-Ironman

Coaching Philosophy

My job as your coach is to help you set and achieve your goals. It is my belief that triathlon must always be fun – the racing and the training! Therefore, I strive to ensure that all of the workouts are not only helping you become a better athlete, but also ensuring that you do not get burned out and/or bored. I also believe very strongly in understanding what makes you tick - what other priorities you have in your life. It is important that we build a training plan that allows you to balance your life’s priorities. I understand that every person is unique and therefore requires a custom training plan. To achieve this balance and your goals requires us to communicate regularly and honestly. No training plan is ever set in stone, adjustments can and will be made accordingly. I am a firm believer that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to, so dream big!

Some of my favorite quotes that help me get through tough times in training and racing:

"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go."
I doubt 100 years ago many people thought running 100+ miles through the mountains, or riding a bike across the country in a week, or walking on the moon, were even remotely possible...

"That which does not kill you makes you stronger."
Training will beat you down, but over time it will make you stronger...

"When you’re going through hell, keep going."
The second biggest thing that my longer distance athletic endeavors have taught me (the first being that the human body is capable of doing so much more than ever imagined) is that you will go through some very tough spots – during training and racing – but these lows will pass and they make the highs feel even better!