I have been a runner since I was 14. I got into the sport to get in shape for cross country skiing and soccer while growing up in Anchorage, Alaska. Running was a sport that I didn't think could possibly be much fun; it ended up turning into a passion. I was lucky to have good high school coaches that made the sport enjoyable and challenging. We also won seven State titles (three in cross and four in track).  I was fortunate to earn a college scholarship to South Dakota State University in cross country and track. My senior year was the highlight when my teammates and I won the NCAA Div. II National Title in Cross Country and I earned All American Honors. After college I went back to Anchorage and taught sixth grade and coached the distance runners at Bartlett High School, my alma mater. I immediately fell in love with coaching and teaching. I coached several athletes that through their hard work and determination broke many school records, earned state titles and college scholarships.

I got the opportunity to run with a fast group of guys in Brevard, NC coached by Scott Simmons. I decided to give my running another shot and see what happens. I left Alaska and drove across the country to a place I never been. Brevard is a pretty place much like Blacksburg. While training in Brevard, I started the Sports Spot, a specialty sports shop, for John Taylor who owned two toy and hobby shops that are very successful. I learned everything about running shoes then, from talking to the industry reps and designers, reading countless reviews and biomechanical articles, and through trial and error. After Brevard I decided to get my masters. I was accepted into Furman University in Greenville, SC for Exercise Science. About two weeks before I was to start classes I ran into two friends in Portland, OR during Cross Country Nationals. They told me all about Blacksburg and Virginia Tech and that I should open a store much like the one in Brevard. While naive on the process of bank loans and such matters I became excited about the prospect of my own shop and the things that would be possible- the things that Runabout now does! I checked out Blacksburg and went running in Pandapas, talk to several people in the community, and fell in love with the place. I enrolled at Virginia Tech in Health Promotions, volunteered with VT's cross country program and began work on opening Runabout Sports. After 15 months of excitement and frustrations, Runabout Sports opened on May 19th, 2003! I also get to continue coaching; I now coach the Blacksburg Bruins distance runners!