“ If I can use the platform there to build into people’ s lives then I’ ll feel like all the hard work and sacrifices really mattered.”
ber times biking 6 miles to practice and 6 miles back in high school and there was never any complaining from me.
You do a lot in the Central Oregon community by spreading the love of running, speaking at schools and encouraging healthy life choices for youth. How did all this come about? To be honest this has just happened in the last year and I really hope to be able to do more with it. I don’ t make anything from it. It’ s really just stemming from the motivation to do something that has meaning and purpose. My results, my medals, my accolades won’ t produce anything for anyone else. But if I can use the platform there to build into people’ s lives then I’ ll feel like all the hard work and sacrifices really mattered.
In April, you spoke in front of Madras High School Track Team, there are many new immigrant families living there. Is running something that you feel can give these kids a good foundation as they move into adulthood? Absolutely, that is why sports can be so beautiful when its kept pure. It gives people a sense of meaning, purpose, and progress all at the same time. You learn discipline and patience from sowing day after day and sometimes not seeing fruit right away, but then all the sudden you do. You learn humility when things don’ t go as planned or when you get too confident. You learn the value of teamwork and unity by being a part of something together. You learn perseverance when you keep showing up day after day and then something that most people would say“ magical” happens.
Every Christmas you travel to Mexico to visit family, speak to running groups, and spread your love of running. Do you think you can tear down stereotypes, build bridges, and break down walls between the two countries? I don’ t think I can do it alone but I know that I got to the point where I have to do something. I can’ t just keep sitting back seeing all these negative things said about my people. I love both countries and my intention has been to bring peaceful action that unites and bonds both. Instead of saying negative things back I’ m trying to do my part with positive action. Maybe it’ s the runner in me but I see love, humility, and peace as words of action, not a state of being.
Favorite race anywhere in the world? Toughest? One still to conquer? This is a hard one to pick. I really enjoyed racing the Giir Di Mont Race in Italy last summer. It summits three big mountains and packs 10,000 feet of climbing in 18.5 miles over really technical terrain. A race I want to conquer and that I think will be extremely difficult is the Western States 100 miler.
What are some of your favorite places to train in Central Oregon? Black Butte is my go to when it’ s clear of snow. I prefer running up mountains that are forested and single track. South Sister would probably be my next favorite and I try to summit it once a week during the summer when its snow free.
Why do you think there are so many world class runners living in Bend? Why not California where you can train in warm weather year round? Bend has a mix of everything. You can do mountains, track, roads, river trails, snow running, technical running, desert running, you name it. It’ s hard to beat a place with so much variety like Bend and with so many miles of trails within the city. Really if Bend was at 6-7 thousand feet and about 20 degrees warmer it would be perfect.
Give us a little insight into your training schedule? How many miles per week? Tapering for a race? Recovery time? Do you coach yourself or is there someone who advises you? I’ ve been coaching myself since finishing college and tend to do about 90 miles per week of training. During the week I do a lot of double days with 4-6