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1. Age: 72 (How did this happen?)
2. Where do you live: Westminster, Colorado, but I have lived all over this wonderful state.
3. Where are you originally from: Born in Baltimore, Maryland, December of 1949. With the cold war warming up, my father was transferred to Martin Marietta Aerospace, south of Littleton. I grew up in western Araphoe county, now called the Denver Tec Center. I attended Cherry Creek High School where I ran track, cross country and was the team manager. Although invited to join, I did not run on a collegiate team, but continued to run on my own.
4. Occupation: Briefly, I worked underground at the Idarado Mine, east of Telluride. After the draft rejected me, for Vietnam, I got a job at Winter Wolf Building Materials, Telluride. Donna and I moved back to the front range. (Why? It seems a terrible error, but then I would never have met all of you and the larger running community.)
After a brief stint at Ace Hardware, I worked, for 17 years at Hugh M. Woods Building Materials. I ended up as the assistant manager. Then we were bought out by a national chain. What had been a family owned and operated company, became one with the only purpose to provide dividends to “investors”. I quit in 1986.
It was time for a new direction, I called CU’s Anthropology Department about archeological field schools. I was accepted and I was living my childhood dream. After field school, and recommendations from teachers and others, I began a career as a “shovel bum”. My career would ultimately have me awarded a Hart Award from the Colorado Historical Society in 1992.
At the same time, I re-enrolled at Metro to “update” my Social Science BA. The goal was to be a teacher. I was hired by the school where I did my student teaching. After 15 years I “retired”. So many wonderful and crazy experiences as a public school teacher!
After teaching, I focused on my import business. I went to Greece, again, to find a supplier for replica statues and other art work. After a comedy of errors, I found one. I ended up with lines which included statues, paintings and jewelry. I really enjoyed this work. But, after my brother died, I lost the energy to go on.
Since then, I doubled down on supporting running events in our community. I am a USATF certified official. Also, on the board of the Boulder Road Runners. I also volunteer at the Broomfield Habitat for Humanity.
5. Why do you run: Why not? I guess it is in my DNA. Running, for me, it has always been a very therapeutic way to raise my spirits and stay in shape.
6. How long have you been running: Well…since, elementary school. I was the fastest kid in our neighborhood and had a good arm. So, in our tackle football games, if I wasn’t the quarterback, I was the wide receiver. On the high school track team, my sprint times were not that impressive. Gradually I moved up to a distance runner.
7. Favorite Running Shoe: In my youth it was Keds black high tops. I went through many phases: Nike “waffle trainers”, Asics, Adidas, New Balance, Saucony, Brooks, Hoka….
8. Greatest Running Highlight: My meditative runs on Mesa Trail. My three times running the Athens Marathon, with tears in my eyes as I finished. Pikes Peak Marathon, and so many of the Boulder Road Runners Sunday runs along the trails.
9. Why did you join T.E.A.M Boulder: Lee made me. I’m always up to help at running events. Lee was putting on so many events, that needed volunteer help, so it was a natural step to help. I’m not really a runner anymore, but volunteering at running events made me a T.E.A.M Boulder member.
10. Favorite Holiday or Holiday location: I have had a lifetime of vacations, Greece, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamacia, Cayman Islands, all through Colorado and the US. But, as I see it, a holiday/ vacation is to deliberately get out of yourself. My favorite “vacation” is my solo thru-hike of the Colorado Trail. I was inspired to take this backpacking trip as a tribute to my recently passed brother, Tom. Growing up, we had often talked about a big hike in our Colorado Rockies. We never did.
The first day of my backpacking trip, was a Quixotic quest/ test of my will. Every step, I questioned what I was doing, 100 degree heat, then a down pour that left me almost hypothermic and hiking through a water covered trail, which was over my ankles, and a backwards fall that could easily have resulted in grave injury or my death (expletives deleted). I somehow kept moving forward. The storm passed and the sun reappeared. That evening, when I made camp, I was laughing out loud, knowing I would complete this trip. Despite being difficult, doubt never ever entered my mind. “You are stronger than you think.”
11. Favorite food/ meal/ drink: I am not a foodie. When I’m hungry I can always find something to eat. As to drink, ask Don Janicki and Lee.
12. Greatest advice given to you: Dr Sheehan’s books on running were inspiring, as were advice from coaches and friends. But, the advice that changed the direction of my life came during a trip to Greece, to run the Athens Marathon. I was with a tour group, Apostilis Greek Tours. (Owner Paul does a great job.) At our hotel, the members of the group got to socializing. To my surprise, many of the group were from Colorado. Two of them were Vern Carlson and Louis Calhoun. I remember very distinctly, Vern’s comment to me, “John you should join the Boulder Road Runners”. The rest, as it is said, is history.
13. Who do you admire most: When you admire someone, I think, it is because you wish you could incorporate some of their qualities into yourself. It is impossible for me to list all those people I admire. However, the top of the short list includes my friends Don Janicki, Lee Troop and Dan Pierce.
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