TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF THE GYM?
I live in Uptown with my wife and fellow Hardware member, Jackie, and our 2-year-old daughter. For work, I run national online sales for a home fitness equipment company, and I also work as a tutor. I try to stay active in the Chicago running community — in normal times, pacing road races and leading historic running tours through Chicago neighborhoods for a local running store.
WHAT INITIALLY GOT YOU INTO TRAINING AND WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK?
I started at Hardware to supplement my running with strength training. Initially, I was looking to build speed and endurance, but I think what I’ve enjoyed most, besides Hardware’s great community, is the constant variety. I like that I can go into every workout and key in on some aspect of it — a particular movement, quantity or weight — that is challenging in the right kind of way.
WHAT ARE YOUR FITNESS GOALS? HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO REACHING THEM?
I try to keep up a balance of near- and long-term goals. Right now I’ve got my eyes set on a 1:25 half marathon this fall on my way to a Boston Qualifying marathon next year. But my No. 1 goal remains longevity. I want to be smart about training so I can keep healthy, active and injury-free for many, many more years.
WHAT’S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT OR GOAL YOU’VE REACHED AT HARDWARE THAT MADE YOU THE MOST PROUD?
I still relish those early breakthroughs the most — the first time stringing together kipping pullups, the first successful squat snatch, the first time going RX on a workout.
FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?
I enjoy Olympic lifting and moving a kettlebell around, but just give me a long, grueling WOD with some cardio built in. Bonus if it can be all done outside!
LEAST FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?
Anything with a handstand. I just can’t convince my body to go inverted.
ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT HARDWARE?
There’s been so much great advice laid out here by other athletes! I would make an endorsement for tracking your workouts in a journal, especially early on. You won’t believe how much progress you make so soon!
