When did you start running and what led you to this sport?
I started running in 1982. I was 25 years old and had been smoking for 10 years. I could have been the Marlboro Man before Kramer (Seinfeld). I also had pretty bad asthma. I was merely hoping running would help with smoking cessation and relieve bronchospasms.
What was it like being an 'old man' on the Lynchburg College Cross Country and Track teams?
I was apprehensive before I met the team and coaches. That disappeared immediately. I was warmly welcomed on day one. Gregg Cavaliere and Tom Burrows were a tremendous help adjusting as a student athlete. I was co-captain of the team 3 of 4 years. Most of those teammates are lifelong friends.
How many miles per week were you running in College?
I was running 70-80 mpw when I arrived. That increased to 90-100 by my senior year.
What is your proudest running related accomplishment?
In my senior year, I won the ODAC Conference Cross Country Championship in late October of ‘93. Two weeks later, I won the NCAA South/Southeast Regional Cross Championship. Early in the race, a group of Christopher Newport runners took the lead. They were strong middle distance runners and were trying to slow the pace and set up for a kick. I pushed the pace and took the lead around 2 miles. But suddenly I found myself all alone. I had missed a turn and was off the course. Assistant Coach Gregg Cavaliere sprinted to alert me. I retraced my steps and worked back to the lead pack. Around the 5k mark, I pushed uphill and broke from the pack and won.
A week later at the NCAA Cross Country National Championships in Grinnell, Iowa, I finished 24th to earn All American. I was 36 years old, the oldest runner to make All American at the time. Ten years after graduation, I was honored to be inducted into the Lynchburg College Sports Hall of Fame alongside teammate Gregg Cavaliere.
In 1994, I finished 2nd overall in the Virginia 10 Miler behind my former teammate Matt
Richards.
What were your favorite races to run and why?
I love any Cross Country race. I also love the Virginia Ten Miler, the Presbyterian Home 5K and the Memorial Day 10k. The Crazy 8s 8K in Kingsport Tennessee is also a favorite.
I am looking forward to running some of the newer races in the LRRC race series.
Where do you like to run?
I love running on soft wooded trails. Unfortunately, due to age and frequent falls, I’ve curtailed those runs. Now I enjoy running on the Blackwater Trail paved trails with the canopy of trees and views of the James River.
What goals do you have in your running career?
My current goal is to regain some fitness that I’ve lost, mostly due to limited time while working full time.
Why should local runners be part of the Lynchburg Road Runners Club?
The LRRC is a wonderful resource for runners of all ages and abilities. It’s a great opportunity to share anything related to running and beyond. Club members were a huge help to me in my early years of running. There is a race series, fun runs, social events and injury clinics. And it's inexpensive.
You have a big race tomorrow, what are you eating tonight?
Easy. Scrambled eggs, fried apples, rice or bread and plenty of Gatorade Zero. Pasta makes me feel sluggish.
Why are you interested in coaching? What is your coaching philosophy? What coaching
certification do you have?
Now retired, I am looking forward to coaching runners of all abilities and giving back to the sport I love. I completed the Road Runners Club of America Coaching Certification Level 1 last fall.
I’ve learned from two NCAA Hall of Fame coaches.
Dr. Jack M. Toms not only demonstrated building endurance, speed, tapering and periodization, he adapted to individual differences. He coached athletes of varying abilities to All Americans and National Championships. I am forever grateful for his coaching and leadership.
The late Al Carius, architect of powerhouse North Central College showed how team building, selflessness and belief in a process can win championships. Natural talent was not as important as work ethic. His book, Run for Fun and Personal Bests is a masterpiece. I hope to coach with positive reinforcement and individualism to help other runners reach their goals and most importantly, enjoy the sport.
You have a choice of free tickets to Taylor Swift, Coldplay, or Noah Kahn, who are you going to
see (most people answer this incorrectly)?
I like to discover at least one new artist every week. So…I’m going with Noah Kahan ! Editor's note: he got that right.
What questions do you wish we would have asked you? (and what are the answers?)
Who are your running heroes?
The late great Frank McPhatter and Gary Stroud.
Frank inspired many of us to “Finish what you started” I’ll never forget hearing his voice
cheering us on at out of town meets.
I ran more miles with Gary than anyone. Rain, snow, and ice didn’t stop him. Sadly ALS did.
Rest in peace gentlemen.
Photos below - Upper: John Cardwell #52 in 1993 NCAA South/Southeast Regional Championship at Methodist College
Lower: #125 in 1992 ODAC Cross Country Championship
