My running background:
- a. Started in 10th grade in high school (Amherst HS) after running the 1 mile Presidential Physical Fitness test in PE Class. The XC coach (Mr. Bob O'Donnell), asked me to join the XC team late September. Ran XC and outdoor T&F. I was not very good, and honestly did not enjoy it much at that time. I am forever grateful for Mr. O'Donnell and Mr. Tichenor (track coach) for encouraging me. I was not very committed, and definitely did not 'get' what it meant to be a runner, let alone a student-athlete.
- b. I did not have plans of running in college..but ...
- c. I was given the greatest opportunity to run for Dr. Jack Daniels at Cortland, who saw something in me and developed it. I grew to love the very movement of running. I grew to love training, and thrived on competition. This grew into continuing running post collegiately.
- d. I ran professionally for about 7 years. Most of my career I ran for Brooks, but also competed for Nike, Reebok, and I ended my competitive career with Fila.
- e. My college experience in athletics shifted my career direction. I was a Physical Education Major and Music Minor and planned to teach high school. However, through the mentorship of Jack, and my studies, I fell in love with Exercise Physiology and the cardiovascular system. I love the puzzle of the body, and figuring out the best way to help each person develop their abilities. I love the science behind training, but the art of designing for various people to help them reach their goals. And, I value the opportunity to hopefully have a positive influence on others.
How I learned about Checkers:
When I was teaching and coaching at Holy Angels, I met Becky Heuer Carroll -she was coaching at Nardin Academy, and her then boyfriend Bob Carroll was coaching Checkers. We started talking at our meets, and we and started to connect for a couple of runs here and there. I would go to some Tuesday track practices early and run my workout, and then hang out with Becky. I did the majority of my training by myself - I enjoyed the solitude of my training, and I was very particular about the execution of my training plans. I did not want to subject anyone else to my very strict protocols, so I rarely ran with other people outside of an occasional run with Becky.
How I got involved my role of coaching:
While Bob Carroll was still coaching Checkers, we had the interest from a lot of members to have a marathon program. I started the Marathon training program as a side program to Bob's track training. We all met on Tuesdays, we would follow through Bob's warmups, and then the marathon group followed the training plans I wrote for their goal marathon. When Bob & Becky moved to Maine, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to take over coaching all aspects of the club. Tuesday evenings are the highlight of my weeks.
What would you tell a new runner who is thinking of joining Checkers?
I feel like everyone in our club says this, 'We are a club for everyone. All levels of running, walking, new, or experienced.' And apparently we have big social group in our club (I am not a good example of that!). For someone that is looking to improve fitness, learn the basics of a just how to get started into running, meet other awesome people, hangout with good quality individuals, or compete at a very high level, Checkers truly has a place for everyone.
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