Joined
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388 Posts
Okay, first a little background. I started posting at Cool Running in March of 2006, and I mainly posted in the Run & Race Reports section's daily thread. A lot of people have come and gone throughout the past couple years, but I've pretty much remained a constant (minus a week or two). And now with the great CR-KR migration, I've found a new home in the Run & Race Reports section here. And oh yeah, I have a blog, and I'm going to liberally link to it here <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br><b>1. Why do you run?</b><br><br>
I started running for exercise in college as a good way to stay in shape and be active. I never ran competitively in school, although I was on the volleyball team for 4 years in high school and played football for a year as well. I didn’t really become serious about running until I finished in 12th place in <a href="http://davezohfeld.blogspot.com/2005/05/ugly-running.html" target="_blank">my first 5k</a>. I was hooked.<br><br><b>2. What is your greatest accomplishment?</b><br><br>
Running-wise, I’d say <a href="http://davezohfeld.blogspot.com/2007/05/race-report-ravenswood-5k-42907.html" target="_blank">my 17:53 5k</a>. But I also ran a pretty good <a href="http://davezohfeld.blogspot.com/2006/10/race-report-chicago-marathon-october.html" target="_blank">Chicago Marathon (3:14:59)</a> a few years ago, and I completed <a href="http://davezohfeld.blogspot.com/2007/10/race-report-lakefront-50-miler-102707.html" target="_blank">my first 50 miler</a> in October 2007 (9:13). I have also done <a href="http://davezohfeld.blogspot.com/2006/11/race-report-lakefront-5050-november-11.html" target="_blank">one 50k</a>.<br><br><br>
Personally, I’d probably say graduating college and living on my own, despite having to deal with some hardships during my childhood. I never really knew my father, and my mother passed away when I was 17. It was pretty devastating, especially since I am an only child.<br><br><b>3. What is your motto/theme song?</b><br><br>
Well my favorite band is Nirvana (who would’ve guessed???) – so I’d probably go with Smells Like Teen Spirit. However, I also love Rise Against’s “Give it All” – especially during a tough run.<br><b><br>
4. How do you deal with bad runs?</b><br><br>
Just log it and forget about it.<br><br><b>5. Do you reward yourself for good runs? How?</b><br><br>
Back when I was training for my first marathon, I would reward myself by eating an entire frozen pizza after each and every long run. I’m trying to cut back on this practice <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br><b>6. Who do you admire most?</b><br><br>
I admire my mother most. She was able to support the two of us by working 3 jobs simultaneously. Although I didn’t see her as much as I would have liked, she put food on the table and I was even able to attend a private grade school. She worked harder than anyone I have ever known.<br><br><b>7. What is the greatest advice you have ever received?</b><br><br>
Nothing really sticks out in my mind….. I usually don’t ask for advice, I’d rather figure things out on my own. Oh, I WOULD actually say that “take some time off from running for a month or so each year” is some great advice I’ve received. Also, if you're going to pass someone at the end of a race (especially a short one), you'd better make it a <i>definitive</i> pass, so you can break their spirit and they won't even try to match your move.<br><br><br><b>8. What do wish you had learned younger?</b><br><br>
I wish I ran when I was younger. I feel like I missed some golden opportunities for training in high school. Other than that, I wish I had learned the importance of not taking things (like family) for granted. You never know when everything you have will be gone, so enjoy it while you have it.<br><br><b>9. What do you wish you could do but can't?</b><br><br>
First and foremost, I wish I could thank my mother one last time for everything she did for me.<br><br>
I also wish I had the financial means to travel (and run) the world. Maybe someday.<br><br><b>10. How would your friends describe your personality?</b><br><br>
I’m an introvert to strangers, but an extrovert with friends. I have a ridiculous attention to even the most minute detail, especially when it comes to my running schedule and personal calendar. If I have a “to do” list for the day, I’ll put things on there that I’ve already done earlier in the day, just so I can cross them off <span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"></span><br><br><b>11. What do you wear running? favorite outfit?</b><br><br>
My favorite shirt is a Mizuno tech shirt from a local 5k (Ravenswood). I love me some Brooks Glycerin shoes (4’s or 5’s – size 12) and New Balance 826’s. My girlfriend and friends bought me a Chicago Marathon tech jacket for my birthday a couple years ago, so I love wearing that too. Balega (summer) and Smartwool (winter) socks are the norm. I just got a neck gaiter and now I refuse to run without it when it’s 20 degrees or below. I never run in tights, only running shorts and/or running pants. And of course, my Garmin, and my Iriver MP3 player.<br><br><b>12. What has been your favorite race?</b><br><br>
My favorite moment was when I crossed under 18:00 in the 5k for the first time. My favorite race overall was the 2006 Chicago Marathon, which was ran on the 6 year anniversary of my mother’s death. There’s also a good story about my first 50 miler, involving me locking my keys (and gear) in the car a half hour before the race, then saying “f*ck it” and running anyway without the stuff. (links to the above mentioned races are in question #2)<br><b><br><br>
13. Do you have a goal race right now?</b><br><br>
I’m planning on doing only short distance stuff this year, with my goal races being the TC 1 mile in Minneapolis (May 8th) and the 5th Avenue 1 Mile in New York in late September. I’m hoping to get under 4:40 or 4:35 by September, although I just ran a 1600m race on Friday and finished in a disappointing 5:15.09<br><br><br><b>14. What makes you happy?</b><br><br>
My girlfriend Vanessa makes me the happiest. Every moment I spend with her is a moment that I cherish. Although we went to the same 8th grade and high schools, we didn’t start dating until after college (she’s in grad school now). But we have a great history as friends, which makes our relationship even stronger. For my birthday last year she made me a running scrapbook, which has pictures and results from each and every race I ran in 2006, along with all my bibs. It’s really amazing and one of my most prized possessions.<br><b><br>
15. Tell us one interesting thing about you that you haven't said (at least not often) on this forum in the past.</b><br><br>
I’ll give you a bunch. I am possibly the least flexible person on the planet. There are some days where I cannot even touch my knees. I made it to the regional spelling bee twice. I love taking public transportation, especially to work. I don’t want to ever own a car again. My “apartment” is a tiny studio that is approx. 11x11. I am a big Chicago Bears fan, but I am also a huge fan of the Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team (too bad they suck this year). I have a “Harry Potter” scar on my forehead because I ran into a brick wall as a child. I have had 3 concussions that were most likely the source for all the migraines I got throughout high school. I eat the same thing for lunch at work almost every day: 2 turkey sandwiches and a Nutri-Grain bar. I volunteered in the Peace Corps and served in Panama. The lines on the palm of my hand form a large triangle. I could go on for hours……<br><br><b><br>
16. Tell us one interesting thing about another user of this forum that has not been posted (at least not often) on this forum in the past (make sure the other person will not object to posting the info!).</b><br><br>
I work at the same place (in the same position) as Flobear. We were both present to see <a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum//showthread.php?t=18791" target="_blank">Tonya</a> win overall female at the Chicago Comer Kids 5k in October 2007. Also met her hubby <a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum//showthread.php?t=18899" target="_blank">Phill</a>. They rock!
I started running for exercise in college as a good way to stay in shape and be active. I never ran competitively in school, although I was on the volleyball team for 4 years in high school and played football for a year as well. I didn’t really become serious about running until I finished in 12th place in <a href="http://davezohfeld.blogspot.com/2005/05/ugly-running.html" target="_blank">my first 5k</a>. I was hooked.<br><br><b>2. What is your greatest accomplishment?</b><br><br>
Running-wise, I’d say <a href="http://davezohfeld.blogspot.com/2007/05/race-report-ravenswood-5k-42907.html" target="_blank">my 17:53 5k</a>. But I also ran a pretty good <a href="http://davezohfeld.blogspot.com/2006/10/race-report-chicago-marathon-october.html" target="_blank">Chicago Marathon (3:14:59)</a> a few years ago, and I completed <a href="http://davezohfeld.blogspot.com/2007/10/race-report-lakefront-50-miler-102707.html" target="_blank">my first 50 miler</a> in October 2007 (9:13). I have also done <a href="http://davezohfeld.blogspot.com/2006/11/race-report-lakefront-5050-november-11.html" target="_blank">one 50k</a>.<br><br><br>
Personally, I’d probably say graduating college and living on my own, despite having to deal with some hardships during my childhood. I never really knew my father, and my mother passed away when I was 17. It was pretty devastating, especially since I am an only child.<br><br><b>3. What is your motto/theme song?</b><br><br>
Well my favorite band is Nirvana (who would’ve guessed???) – so I’d probably go with Smells Like Teen Spirit. However, I also love Rise Against’s “Give it All” – especially during a tough run.<br><b><br>
4. How do you deal with bad runs?</b><br><br>
Just log it and forget about it.<br><br><b>5. Do you reward yourself for good runs? How?</b><br><br>
Back when I was training for my first marathon, I would reward myself by eating an entire frozen pizza after each and every long run. I’m trying to cut back on this practice <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br><b>6. Who do you admire most?</b><br><br>
I admire my mother most. She was able to support the two of us by working 3 jobs simultaneously. Although I didn’t see her as much as I would have liked, she put food on the table and I was even able to attend a private grade school. She worked harder than anyone I have ever known.<br><br><b>7. What is the greatest advice you have ever received?</b><br><br>
Nothing really sticks out in my mind….. I usually don’t ask for advice, I’d rather figure things out on my own. Oh, I WOULD actually say that “take some time off from running for a month or so each year” is some great advice I’ve received. Also, if you're going to pass someone at the end of a race (especially a short one), you'd better make it a <i>definitive</i> pass, so you can break their spirit and they won't even try to match your move.<br><br><br><b>8. What do wish you had learned younger?</b><br><br>
I wish I ran when I was younger. I feel like I missed some golden opportunities for training in high school. Other than that, I wish I had learned the importance of not taking things (like family) for granted. You never know when everything you have will be gone, so enjoy it while you have it.<br><br><b>9. What do you wish you could do but can't?</b><br><br>
First and foremost, I wish I could thank my mother one last time for everything she did for me.<br><br>
I also wish I had the financial means to travel (and run) the world. Maybe someday.<br><br><b>10. How would your friends describe your personality?</b><br><br>
I’m an introvert to strangers, but an extrovert with friends. I have a ridiculous attention to even the most minute detail, especially when it comes to my running schedule and personal calendar. If I have a “to do” list for the day, I’ll put things on there that I’ve already done earlier in the day, just so I can cross them off <span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"></span><br><br><b>11. What do you wear running? favorite outfit?</b><br><br>
My favorite shirt is a Mizuno tech shirt from a local 5k (Ravenswood). I love me some Brooks Glycerin shoes (4’s or 5’s – size 12) and New Balance 826’s. My girlfriend and friends bought me a Chicago Marathon tech jacket for my birthday a couple years ago, so I love wearing that too. Balega (summer) and Smartwool (winter) socks are the norm. I just got a neck gaiter and now I refuse to run without it when it’s 20 degrees or below. I never run in tights, only running shorts and/or running pants. And of course, my Garmin, and my Iriver MP3 player.<br><br><b>12. What has been your favorite race?</b><br><br>
My favorite moment was when I crossed under 18:00 in the 5k for the first time. My favorite race overall was the 2006 Chicago Marathon, which was ran on the 6 year anniversary of my mother’s death. There’s also a good story about my first 50 miler, involving me locking my keys (and gear) in the car a half hour before the race, then saying “f*ck it” and running anyway without the stuff. (links to the above mentioned races are in question #2)<br><b><br><br>
13. Do you have a goal race right now?</b><br><br>
I’m planning on doing only short distance stuff this year, with my goal races being the TC 1 mile in Minneapolis (May 8th) and the 5th Avenue 1 Mile in New York in late September. I’m hoping to get under 4:40 or 4:35 by September, although I just ran a 1600m race on Friday and finished in a disappointing 5:15.09<br><br><br><b>14. What makes you happy?</b><br><br>
My girlfriend Vanessa makes me the happiest. Every moment I spend with her is a moment that I cherish. Although we went to the same 8th grade and high schools, we didn’t start dating until after college (she’s in grad school now). But we have a great history as friends, which makes our relationship even stronger. For my birthday last year she made me a running scrapbook, which has pictures and results from each and every race I ran in 2006, along with all my bibs. It’s really amazing and one of my most prized possessions.<br><b><br>
15. Tell us one interesting thing about you that you haven't said (at least not often) on this forum in the past.</b><br><br>
I’ll give you a bunch. I am possibly the least flexible person on the planet. There are some days where I cannot even touch my knees. I made it to the regional spelling bee twice. I love taking public transportation, especially to work. I don’t want to ever own a car again. My “apartment” is a tiny studio that is approx. 11x11. I am a big Chicago Bears fan, but I am also a huge fan of the Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team (too bad they suck this year). I have a “Harry Potter” scar on my forehead because I ran into a brick wall as a child. I have had 3 concussions that were most likely the source for all the migraines I got throughout high school. I eat the same thing for lunch at work almost every day: 2 turkey sandwiches and a Nutri-Grain bar. I volunteered in the Peace Corps and served in Panama. The lines on the palm of my hand form a large triangle. I could go on for hours……<br><br><b><br>
16. Tell us one interesting thing about another user of this forum that has not been posted (at least not often) on this forum in the past (make sure the other person will not object to posting the info!).</b><br><br>
I work at the same place (in the same position) as Flobear. We were both present to see <a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum//showthread.php?t=18791" target="_blank">Tonya</a> win overall female at the Chicago Comer Kids 5k in October 2007. Also met her hubby <a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum//showthread.php?t=18899" target="_blank">Phill</a>. They rock!
