Where were you born, where did you grow up?

I was born in Livingston, New Jersey in January 1977. 

I grew up in northern NJ/suburbs of NYC.  I spent my summers at the Jersey Shore.

 

Where do you live now?

Right on the Westchester/Bronx boarder in New York, very close to Van Cortlandt Park.

Married/Children?

I married my wife Victoria in February 1999. We have 3 children:

Sam is 9, Nancy is 8, Charlotte is 4

My Height:

5' 4'' (I should mention that the greatest runner of all time Haile Gebrselassie), is the same height!)

My Weight:

My regular training weight is about 120-122lbs. 

When I am training at higher levels during during peak racing season my weight is between 118-120lbs.

What's your profession, what do you do all day?

In the late 90's when the internet was taking off I started an online business/e-commerce business in the jewelry trade.

My business grew as I put  more time and effort into developing our own unique software systems, which is the backbone of our business today.

We have a bunch of web/software related business models and projects that now employ over 25 full time people. 

It's been a big rush seeing it all grow, but it's also a huge responsibility to manage.

Your best feature? Your worst feature?

hmmm, I think my best feature is my determination, I pretty much don't ever give up when I want something. 

I've learned to handle discomfort quite well too from all my ultra endurance training.

My worst feature is procrastination… funny how the 2 best and worst features are related… I'm a mess on a bad day and superman on a good day…

Favorite Author, Favorite Books/Magazines?

Dr. Douglas Graham, his books on natural eating changed my life.

Dean Karanazes, he's a great author and athlete, he really inspired me to take my training to the next level.

Anne Osborne, her book 'Fruitarianism, The Path to Paradise' inspired me further.  Her book distilled me to higher levels.

Essie Honiball, her book 'Live on Fruit' is another early pioneer of Fruitarianism

Arnold Ehret, I've only read a few books/writings and he certainly blazed the first trail of natural health and diet.

I read the following magazines UltraRunning, Rock + Ice, Kiteboarding, Runner's World, Gems and Gemology

Favorite Movie, Favorite TV Show?

Some of my favorite movies include:

Star Wars, The Matrix, The Shaw Shank Redemption, Space Balls, Endurance (Story on Haile Gebrselassie), Forever Running (The life of Yiannis Kouros),

Rocky series, It's A Wonderful Life, The Sound of Music,

Some of my favorite TV shows (I almost never watch TV though):

Curb Your Enthusiasm,

What's on your Ipod? Favorite music?

If I want to get hyped up for a workout anything with a good beat, trance techno is my favorite.  I also like classic rock, Led Zeppelin, Eagles, etc.

I really enjoy Classical, Opera and even Classical Organ music when I want to relax.

What kind of car do you drive?

I only run! No seriously I really do run to most places that I need to go.  If it's a family outing we take our Chevy Express van.

Hobbies?

Running, Visiting farms, Nature Preserves – anything that surrounds nature and being outdoors.

Mountain climbing, winter mountain climbing, triathlon, hiking, snowshoeing

Spending time with my wife and kids, sitting by the fire place with a blanket with snow falling outside

Favorite vacation destination? Where do you dream of going?

The big island of Hawaii is one of my favorite spots on the planet.

I also absolutely love the White Mountains in New Hampshire.  Mt. Washington is an incredible place!

Canadian Rockies – Icefield's Parkway,  Lake Moraine and Valley of the Ten Peaks is epic!

Favorite time of day and why?

Early morning for sure, yet I very very rarely see this time of day.

My absolutely best hope and goal as I mature in life is to learn how to get to sleep early – which automatically means I will get up early to meet the day. 

I can run a 100miles but I can't seem to get to sleep by 8:45/9pm and rise at 5am with the sun…

Most prized possession?

My Health.  It's all we ever have!

Greatest Fear?

Not having my health, my loved ones being hurt or in pain.

Favorite Quote?

"Do or do not… there is no try" ~ Yoda
"A day without training is a day without value"  ~ Will from VO2MaxOut.com
"Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise" ~ Ben Franklin

"An apple a day is not enough" ~ Michael Arnstein

Pet Peeve?

People talking loud on the phone (while on the train or in public)

Any form of 'yelling' unless it's is for a happy occassion. 

Running PR's

400m: 55 seconds (In High School)
800: 2:08 (In High School)
1 Mile: 4:36 (In High School)
2 Mile: 9:44 (In High School)
5K: 15:46
10K: 32:47 (2009 in Central Park)
1/2 Marathon: 1:10.55 (2010 NYC 1/2 Marathon)
Marathon: 2:28.29 (2010 Boston Marathon)
60K: 4:32 (2008 NYC Knickerbocker)
50 Miles: 5:50 (2009 JFK 50)

100km: 7:27 National Championships 2010 Madison, WI

Triathlon:
4 Time Finisher Hawaii Ironman (PR 9:43)
4 Time Finisher Lake Placid Ironman (PR 9:38)

Why do you run and continue to challenge yourself?

To prove that I am alive!

Future goals?

Get to sleep early so I can wake up early!
Set new running PR's from the Mile to the 100Mile all in my 30's!
Stay injury free!
Continue on my Fruitarian Diet
Spend more time with my family

Climb Mt. Everest