I suspect I became an endurance athlete many years before I’d become aware of what an athlete even was. Growing up in rural Utah as a “latchkey” kid in the 70’s, I was driven to wander the surrounding hills and farmlands covering miles by myself in an afternoon as fast as my skinny little legs could carry me. Propelled by a driving need to just see what was around the next corner, at the bottom of the next ravine or at the top of the next hill. I wore the tread off my Keds and learned to patch the tubes on my trusty blue Schwinn Predator before I was knee-high to a Mormon Cricket.
What’s your favorite quote and where did you first hear it?
“Wherever you go, there you are”. I recall first hearing this sometime when I was in junior high and for some reason it just stuck in my brain. It was only years later that I finally realized it was a commentary on attitude… Or, to put in the words of Ray Wylie Hubbard - “The days that I keep my gratitude higher than my expectations, well, I have really good days.”
Who is your favorite author and what is their best work?
Jim Harrison: “Brown Dog - Novellas”. I also really enjoyed his memoir, “Off to the Side”. The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Udall is also top-shelf.
What’s the best training advice you’ve ever received and who gave it to you?
“Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way… turn.” I can’t remember exactly who imparted that to me, but those are words to live by.
Describe your first bike.
A blue Schwinn “Predator” bmx bike with yellow mag wheels. It was badass.
What's the craziest thing that’s ever happened to you?
Making an unplanned, hard left at a “T” intersection on a lonesome desert highway in the middle of the night while driving a ‘69 VW Bus at 70 mph without power steering or brakes and living to tell about it.
What's your favorite movie and why?
Hmmm.. it’s a toss-up between Fandango and Cool Hand Luke.
Describe yourself with one word.
Restless.
Guilty pleasure food item?
“Natural” Cheetos.
What is your most memorable meal?
When I was 5 or 6 years old, I stayed with my Grandparents for a week while they were living temporarily in Las Vegas during a job my Grandfather had as an road engineer. My Grandma took me to the buffet at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Vegas. It was at the very top of the building and had surround-style windows surveying the city. I remember my grandma telling me I could eat ANYTHING I wanted. I remember us just staring out over the city as the sun went down, enjoying all manner of fare, the plates stacking up. When we finished, she said we were going to see one of her favorite bands. Next thing I know we’re heading into a nightclub and I remember the man at the door saying something like “Hey, you can’t bring a little kid in here!” and my Grandma waving him off and walking us right by. We watched and listened to the “Ink Spots” and judging by the smile on my Grandma’s face, she had to be the happiest woman in Nevada that night.
Who is your greatest mentor and what did they teach you?
My Grandmothers. I spent a lot of time with both of them growing up. Learning from strong, independent women who experienced the lessons and perspective of the Depression Era was priceless.
Tell us about your pet(s).
Blaze. (“Obey the Italian Greyhound!”) He rules the roost and we are his humble and loyal subjects.
Who is your favorite band or artist and their best album and song?
JJ Cale. Album: Naturally. Song: Don’t go to strangers.
