Where are you from originally?  Where did you go to school etc?

I’m originally from Portland born and raised in the Sellwood area which is in South East Portland. I went to Cleveland High School, the same school as Phil but he was a couple of years ahead of me. I played baseball all through school as only the geeks were runners during those days, and I had a reputation to protect so I couldn’t be a runner.  Not to mention there were a lot more girls at the baseball games than at track meets. I went to PCC for two years hoping to transfer to a 4 year institute but that got interrupted.

How long have you been working here at Nike and what to you do in the Berm?

I’ve been with Nike just over 17 years now. I started in July of 91 at the Wilsonville DC loading trailers and picking and repacking shoes. After about a year I applied for a managers position never thinking I would get it but thought I could use the interviewing experience and much to my surprise I got the job. I spent 11 years at the Wilsonville managing various departments and working on special projects. I was able to go to Belgium in 97 to work at the DC there on process improvements. I’ve been here on campus for over 6 years now working with the Customer Financial Services team. We work very closely with Sales and our Retail accounts on returning unsold product.  

What got you into running?  Why do you like it (I’m assuming you do!)

I got into running just after I got my first desk job working in downtown Portland. I thought if I don’t get out and do something I’m going to get fat and lazy. So I started going up to the gym at Portland State, I made it look like I belonged there and used the facilities to run from. Back then I could pass as a possible student, now I could pass as a professor, but then any one who knows me also knows that’d be a real stretch of the imagination. I love running because you don’t need a lot of expensive equipment or facilities to work out of. You can run from home, the office or from the gym. I love being able to do what 90% of most people can’t do, and that’s run. The health benefit factor weighs heavy on the priority list of why I love running as well. Then of course there’s the people you run with and the life long relationships you develop with them. You can run by total strangers and most runners will always say hi, you can start talking to total strangers when out on a run and people don’t look at you like your some kind weirdo.

What races (if any) are your favorite?  Why?

My favorite race was really not a race but a mission. I was able to take part in the Run Across America in 2001 and that single event will be forever the most fun, the most memorable, and the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in running. Being able to represent Nike, and to help raise money for the fallen fireman’s fund was the most personally rewarding thing I’ve ever been able to do. I will never forget and will always be so very grateful to Nike for giving me that opportunity.

I’ve ran 4 marathons with the fastest being the Seaside Trails End Marathon in 3:05.  I’ve ran 2 marathons in 3:10 and my very first one, the Portland Marathon in 3:19. This past spring I ran the Lake Run 15K and won my age division.  You know, the “older than dirt” division.

What workouts do you enjoy the most? Why?  Where?

I really just like getting out and running as my favorite work out. This past spring with the forming of the Bowerman Running Club I’ve really begun to enjoy the track/speed work outs. I’ve always done distance running to so the speed work outs have been a great change for me. Also, having a coach each week plan the various work outs has been a real benefit as well.  I’m certainly not “fast” as compared to others but I sure work hard at it, and having a coach has helped me from getting injured which has always happened in the past when I’ve tried to do track work outs.

What are your upcoming goals relating to running?

The only goal I’ve got right now is to run the Portland Marathon with my daughter on Oct 5^th. I made the mistake of telling her if she’d train and sign up for it I’d run it with her. Of course I was thinking she’d never do it, but much to my surprise as you can imagine she did, so now I’m stuck running another marathon. None of my kids have ever really gotten much into running so I really never thought this would happen. A dream of mine has always been to run in a race with my kids, so last year her and I ran the Race for the Roses half marathon. That was one of the most emotional and fun times of my life.

One other goal of mine will be to train for the Nike Mile and break the 5:30 barrier. I ran 5:40 this year in the competitive mile and finished dead last so I don’t want and can’t let that happen again. So more speed work for me Coach Sean!

Did you get a chance to go to the Olympic Trials?  What that your first one? What did you think?

I was able to go to the trials twice last summer, and this was the first time I’d ever been to them.  It was amazing and it was an unbelievable experience. I was able to sit track side one night and see the competitors up close.  I’ve ran almost all my life, but to see the people you read about and see on TV all the time up close and personal like that was wonderful. Then to see then running 65 to 67 second 400’s, over and over again, when I couldn’t even do one just blew my mind, and they don’t even look like there trying. Nike did an amazing job on putting on the various activities during the trials

What is some random funny thing/fact you have?

A funny kind of fact about me is that I’m really an accident looking for a place to happen. I can tell you how to get a brand new chain saw stuck in a tree 30 feet above the ground, and then have to pay a tree trimmer to come out just so you can get the saw out of the tree. I can also teach you how to turn a $10 toilet set ring into a $100 brand new toilet, and then there’s the fact I proved over in Europe that you can’t put leaded gas in a unleaded car.  Or should I say you can put the wrong gas “in” the car, but about 5 miles down the road the care will completely stop on you.