Keith Griffin

Where do you live and grew up ?

 

I currently live in Milledgeville Ga. I grew up mostly in North Georgia around the Franklin County area up around Royston Ga.

 Moved to Milledgeville around my Jr. Year in high school.

 

Age? 

 

I am 52 years old.

 

Family? 

 

I have 3 Children and 4 grandchildren. Some live here in Georgia and others in Washington State. Coast to Coast.

 

How many brothers and sisters you have? 

 

I have one Sister and a Step Brother

 

And what school do you attend at? 

 

I attended Baldwin County Schools and Franklin County Schools.

Some College along the way in the military.

 

How long have you been running? 

 

You can say I started running in Jan 1985 which ties into the next question.

 

Why or how did you get started into running 

 

I began running out of necessity to make it in the Army. Mostly just  did the bare minimum to pass my physical fitness test. At that time I guess I was a pack a day smoker. After about 10 years I got off active duty and got into the Amy reserves and National Guard. Along the way I went to drill sgt school. I guess I was around 37 years old. During that training I had to step up my run times because the Drill Sgt standard was higher. Somewhere in that training I got hooked.

Someone told me about the Will Robinson 5k around 2003 and started looking for more races and the rest is history.

It has been fun along the way meeting people/rivals to help you step up your game or help them step up theirs.  

 

What is it that makes running important to you? 

 

This is a hard one…. There is just something about stepping on the line and seeing the payoff of the training. The point where nothing else matters except the time, distance and the suffering it takes to get to the finish. I love it!

 

 What's your favorite race(s 

 

I call them the triple 10ks of the year.

Torture Trail, Peachtree and cap it off with the Macon LDRR 10k.

My favorite training cycle.

 

Your PR's and what race was those PR's at? 

 

5k 18:52 Race for Literacy 

10K 40:18 Macon LDRR

1/2 Marathon 1:32:15 (hopefully take that down in a couple of weeks)

Marathon 3:37:09 Snickers Albany

 

What are your other hobbies? 

 

Running LOL

Playing guitar

 

 Do you know how many total races you have raced/won? 

 

According to Athlinks if have ran 165 races over the last 10 years at 1088 miles of racing.

Over the years I guess I have had 5 overall wins. All were unexpected but the overall effort is what I look at anyway.

 

 What are your goal races in the future? 

 

I don’t have any particular goal races right now but more with time goals over the next couple of years. I would like to go into a short distance cycle and see how close to 5 min I could get a mile in.

From that work on getting my 5k as close to 18:15 as possible.

Break 39:30 in the 10K.

 

What does your typical training week consist of? 

 

I have a crazy work schedule but basically put in, depending on the short term race goal, a speed work day, a hill day. Long run on flat out and backs and a rolling hill loop at our local airport. Treadmill on bad weather days. Cross train mostly with the total gym I have in the house or go to the gym and do some circuits on the machines.

 

 Do you train alone or with a group?. 

I mostly train alone. My schedule varies. Its hard to meet up consistently for training runs etc. 

 

Give us a good running tip.

 

Over the years I think what has helped me most is to have a goal that gets you put your shoes on and get out the door.

As far as running faster I think speedwork and working on my running economy has helped me to run faster and have less injuries.

 

Ashley Peacock

1.). Where do you live and grew up ?Age? Family? How many brothers and sisters you have? And what school do you attend at?  I've lived in Jones County all my life. I'm 33 yrs. old. I have one brother, Taylor. My parents are Bob & Jan Peacock. I attended Tattnall Square Academy
.

2.) How long have you been running? I have been running a little over six yrs.

3.) Why or how did you get started into running?In 2006 I had gotten to the point where I wasn't comfortable in my own skin. I had gotten out of shape and overweight(235 lbs.). Not being able to feel comfortable in my clothes, and being unhappy with my weight for years, I finally decided to make a change. I started walking at the track and did this for about 6 months it got to the point where it was really boring and I almost gave up, but I met some people who had been running for a while (Brian Grimsley),(Jerome Douglas) encouraged me to start running with them I was like yeah, right, but I gave it a shot and never gave up as bad as I wanted to, so I owe a lot of getting started running to those guys.

4.) What is it that makes running important to you?Running has helped me in so many ways! It helped me to loose 90lbs. And it took so much stress and worry off me. Running has changed my life for the better. I would never have thought there were so many great and inspiring people who run! I have made hundreds of new friends since I started running, and some of them I have really gotten close to!

5.) What's your favorite race(s)? My favorite races are: the Savannah Rock N Roll half Marathon, Macon Labor Day 5k, Cooper River Bridge Run10k.

6.) Your PR's and what race was those PR's at? My PR's are: Macon Labor Day Road Race 5k time 18:30, Jim Herrin 10k time 40:25, Savannah Rock N Roll half Marathon 1:26:07.

7.) What are your other hobbies?My other hobbies are mountain hiking, fishing, dirt track racing, and spending time with family and friends and watching football. I have always loved  and played football in school. I grew up in the 80's watching FSU. They are still my team! I have always admired Bobby Bowden. So, when I'm not running on Saturdays I'm usually watching my Seminoles!!e

8.) Do you know how many total races you have won?  I have won right at 10-12 races.

9.) What are your goal races in the future? I know you are training hard to qualify for Boston. Yes, my main goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon!!  I would also like to get down in the 17's in future 5k's, which I plan to do in 2015 and breaking 1:25 next year in Savannah!

10.) What does your typical training week consist of? my training varies, depending on what distance I'm training for. For 5k's I try to at least get 30-40 miles a week in. One day at the track doing 400's and 800's, and doing 5 to 7 mile tempo runs, and usually a 10-12 mile run over the weekend. I do just about the same for 10k's, except instead of 400's and 800's at the track I'll do 1200's and mile repeats at race pace or a little faster. For half marathons what has helped me the most is going out on a run and try to hold a pace about 20 or 30 seconds slower than my race pace, and heel work. 

11.) Do you train alone or with a group?. Most of the time I train alone, but I do have a few training partners that I like to train with. 
  Good luck to you and see you on the roads and at the races

Mason "Mohawk" Smith

 

1. Where do you live ? On a long dirt road in Collins ,Ga. I've lived there my whole life. 

Age? 11 , will be 12 on Christmas Eve 

 Family? Yes

 How many brothers and sisters you have? 2 brothers and 3 sisters.

And what school do you attend at? Collins Middle School

2.) How long have you been running? 

4 1/2 years

3.) Why or how did you get started into running? My mom started the c25k program and I ran with her every day. When my mom completed the c25k we signed up for the Brooklet peanut run 5k. It was our first run and I got first place in my age group. I ain't stopped since. 

4.) What is it that makes running important to you? I love to compete , set records and I want to go to the Olympics 

5.) What's your favorite race(s)? Savannah Bridge run, Tybee run Fest marathon , And the Macon Labor Day road race 5k was awesome. 

6.) Your PR's ? 1 mile - 5:17, 5k- 17:55 , 10k - 38:35, 1/2 marathon- 1:37, whole - 3:16 

7.) What are your other hobbies? Football, basketball, track , fishing , hunting and playing the PS3 

8.) Do you know how many total road races that you have won? No, lots of age group wins and lots of overall wins. 

9.) What are your goals once you get into high school and beyond that? 

I want to set all my school and region distance records. Then I want to set the state records. I want to go to the Olympics to. 

10.) I see your name in the Georgia Road Race Record books a lot. How many records do you have? 14 State , 2 world and 2 national that I know of. 

11.) Also you have two world records in the 5k and 10k. How proud are your parents of you owning those two records ? Very proud. They tell everyone about me and how proud they are. 

12.)Example of your weekly training 

plan. Up to what race distance in training for but I Run a race(s) on about every Saturday , Sunday up to what I ran the day before but usually a 5k , Monday , 1 2 3 speed training ( 1 min fast, 1 min jog, 2 min fast 1 min jog, 3 min fast 1 min jog repeat 3 times), Tuesday -hard 5k on dirt and hills , Wednesday-  1 mile fast , 1 mile slow 1 mile fast , Thursday off most of the time but sometimes I speed train a mile , Friday always off. 

13.) Does your other brothers and sisters run also? Yes Abbie use to be very fast and still is pretty good but stopped running for a while . When she was 11 she ran a 6:32 mile . Now she's 14 and her mile time is 7:15. She's getting better every week and running cross country . They just qualified for state. I also train with the cross country team. There is one guy I can not beat yet , he's a senior this year but I'll catch up with him before long I think. Jaxon is 9 and has 8 state records . Rylie just turned 6 and ran a 8:01 Mile when she was 5 years old. She's gonna be really fast. I watch her run against all the boys in her class at school and she makes them look silly. She blowed them away at short and long distance . 

14.) Who are your running heroes? Steve Prefontaine  , Meb Keflezighi and Mo Farah

15.) You have a trademark now. The Mohawk. How did the Mohawk get started? Well I wanted one when I was little so as a joke on my mom my day cut me the Mohawk . I liked it and it's just been my thing. Everyone says they like it . Fear the Mohawk lol. 

http://www.arrs.net/SA_R10K.htm

http://www.arrs.net/SA_R5K.htm

http://www.georgiaroadracerecords.com

Kristie Poole

Here's one of the fastest women in middle Ga. and the scary thing is she's getting faster. PR'ed twice within two weeks in the 5k. Glad she's apart of the team. 

1. A) Where do you live and grew up ?Age? Family? Etc.

 I live in Macon and I grew up in Tifton, GA. I'm 34 years old and I have a little girl, 8, Ava Grace. 

1. B) What's  your career? 

 I am a cardiac sonographer for Mercer University. I do ultrasounds of the heart and vascular system. 

2.) How long have you been running?

  I have been running for four years. 

3.) Why or how did you get started into running?

I've always done some form of exercise since I was a teenager, mostly stuck to the weights and treadmill. I met a friend at the gym while I was living in Atlanta that was training for a marathon and the rest is history.

4.) What is it that makes running important to you?

 I like to eat, so I run. 

Best answer by far!!!

5.) What's your favorite race(s)?

As far as distance goes I really enjoy a longer race. 13.1 is the perfect distance. 

6.) Your PR's

 5k 18:45 LDRR, 10k 41:31 Cherry Blossom, 13.1 1:33 Red Nose, 26.23:21 Boston

7.) What are your other hobbies?

Between running, work and my child I really don't have time for much else. When I do get to unwind, it's usually with a Netflix marathon of some sort. 

8.) Do you know how many total road races that you have won?

 I have no idea.. Not a lot.

9.) What are your goals and what's your next goal race for you ?

The next race planned is Soldier Marathon in November. Looking for a 3:15-3:18.

10.) What kinda workouts do you do ? And what are your favorite?

 I incorporate two days of quality runs in my 6 or 7 days of running. For this marathon, one day is 40 minutes to an hour of tempo pace and the other is an hour or marathon pace. On the easy days, I still throw some marathon pace miles in the middle. I enjoy longer races, so longer tempo paced workouts are my preference. 

11) With work and family life. How do you balance that with running? I know it's tough for me to try to get in  60+ miles a week but wish I could get more.

I've learned to really like early morning runs. If it weren't for the early morning hours, I would never be able to get in the amount of mileage necessary. 

12.)What does your diet consist of?

 I eat a lot of lean protein, good carbs and greens. I would love to say that I eat clean all the time, but I've been known to binge on candy from time to time. It happens. 

13.)Example of your weekly training
plan.

For marathon training - M: 8 miles(Easy) Tu: 2-3-3 (MP in the middle) W: 40 @ tempo pace Th: 2-3-3 F: Hour at MP Sat: 8 Easy or Off. Sun: Long run, varying distance. 

14.) Last year you ran the Boston Marathon when the bombings took place. Did you hear the bombs go off and where were you when everything happened?

 I was actually safely tucked away in my room when the bombing actually happened. So I did not get to experience the chaos first hand. I consider myself very lucky that I was able to finish when so many others trained hard and were unable to finish. 

Thanks Kristie and safe running. 

Chris Dietrich

Chris Dietrich 

Age:37

Hometown: Eatonton

PRs: Mile-4:55,5k-16:37,10k-35:55

       HM-1:19:29,Marathon-3:00:52

          1.) Where do you live and grew 

           up? Age? Family ?       

           

          I'm 37 yrs old, born and                

         raised in Milledgeville.  I live 

         in Eatonton with my wife 

         Carrie, daughter Cayla and 

         son William. 

2.) What's your career? 

I've been with Walmart 20 yrs this Nov.  and have held several positions in 2 stores and our district office.  Currently I am Co-Mgr of the Milledgeville store.

3.) How long have you been running? 

I started back running back in 2007 just to get fit and run a few races.  Then I started getting real competitive in 2009 and have steadily improved since then, despite some injuries in 2013.

 

4.) Why or how did you get started into running? 

I ran in high school and then for a few years after I graduated.  Then just kinda got out of it altogether.  In '07 I decided I wanted to run the Torture Trail 10k, a popular local race in Eatonton.  So I started running and racing a few races to prepare for it.....and I haven't stopped since!

 

5.) Whats is it that makes running important to you? 

Running has its health advantages and is a great way to stay fit but I gotta admit I love being competitive.

 

6.) what's your favorite race(s)? 

Torture Trail 10k in Eatonton and Peachtree Road Race 10k in Atlanta

 

7.) your PR's 

1 mile:  4:55

5k: 16:37

8k: 28:34

10k: 35:55

1/2 Mar:  1:19:29

Marathon:  3:00:52

 

8.) what are your other hobbies? (None athletic hobbies) 

I'm into scouting with my son.  I am Cubmaster for the local pack in Eatonton.

 

9.) Do you know how many total road races that you have won?

45 races won out of 140 races  

 

10.) What are your goals and what's your next goal race for you ?

I just want to stay injury free, keep improving my times and run sub 3 hrs for Boston Marathon next year! 

 

11.) what kinda workouts do you do ? And what are your favorite? 

Hill repeats, intervals at the track & tempo runs....I would say my favorite would be 800 or 1000 meter intervals

 

12.) You recently had a back injury that kept you out of running for a few months. How's the back now and are you back to top form like you was last year before you was hurt? 

I'm not back to top form but I'm getting pretty close.   

 

13.) With work and family life. How do you balance that with running? I know it's tough for me to try to get in  60+ miles a week but wish I could get more. 

Right now I try to get 50+ miles a week and I try not to let it interfere with family.  I normally run 6-7 days a week.  Some days I'll run in the morning and the evening just to get some extra miles in.

 

14.) What is your diet? I know we talked alittle about this during our runs together.
I know I might be different than most when it comes to diet but I pretty much eat what I want.  It helps that I have a fast metabolism and I burn so many calories with my weekly mileage.  I eat all types of meat including red meat.  I eat alot of fruits, nuts & veggies.  I'll drink soda, tea, sports drinks & lemonade but I drink mostly water.

 

15.) Example of your weekly training plan. 

I mix up the daily mileage but always get a 12 to 16 mile long run, a 3.5 to 5 mile tempo and normally 2 speed workouts at the track.  The other 2-3 days consist of 5 to 8 milers at a solid pace.

Amber Hodor

Amber Hodor

Age: 27

Hometown: Gray , Ga.

PR's 5k 20:26,10k 45:38,HM 1:42

1.)    Where do you live and grew up? Age? Family? 

 I’m 28 years old and live in Macon.  I was born in Fort Lauderdale and grew up in Port Saint Lucie, Florida.  I have never been married and I don’t have any kids. 

 

2.)     What's your career?

I have my Bachelor’s degree in Business Hospitality from Florida State University. I had worked in hotel management after college.  Currently, I am at the Middle Georgia Association of REALTORS as an assistant.  The Association is a professional organization that the REALTORS join.

3.)   How long have you been running?

I actually tell people that I have been running my whole life.  I played soccer growing up.  I did run two years of cross country in high school because my soccer coach made it a requirement.  My junior year of high school I tore both my ACLs and had them both replaced at the end of my senior year.  That ended my soccer dreams. 

4.)    I've noticed your name on top of the results around the local area. Why or how did you get started into running?

I have 3 Aunts near the Chicago area that all run and when I started moving to different cities after college, they recommended joining a local running club and run the local races. They told me that it would be a great way to meet people.  So long story short, I ran my first 5k in Dothan, Alabama in May 2010.  It was called the Brian Dowling Memorial 5k Trail Run.  I actually won Overall Female!  

5.) What is it that makes running important to you?   

The best part to me is the friendships that I have made.  I have met people from all around the state and I love hearing their stories.  The running groups/clubs are some of the nicest people I have met and I love how no one judges anyone on how fast or slow they run. I also run for my heath.  It is definitely a stress reliever. According to my boss, I have an endorphin addiction and that’s why I run.    

6.) What's your favorite race(s)?

I guess the Jim Herrin 10k and Labor Day Road Race 5k.  They both have great courses.

7.)    Your PR's :

5k – Labor Day Road Race 5k 2012 – 20:26
10K – Jim Herrin 10K 2012 – 45:38
½ marathon- Museum of Aviation2013 – 1:42

8.)    What are your other hobbies? (None athletic hobbies)  

I love traveling especially to state and national parks, going to the different local festivals, reading books, and putting puzzles together. 

9.)    Do you know how many total road races that you have won?  

I counted as many trophies as I could find, approximately around 25 as Overall Female.  I have won 1 race as Overall.

10.)   What are your goals and what's your next goal race for you? 

My running goal is to consistently run20:30 5k times.  I also want to try some triathlons.  My next goal race is Labor Day.  

11.)  What kinda workouts do you do ? And what are your favorite? I kinda like to see what everyone is doing and maybe give a helping hand in tweaking it a little.

Lately, I have just been trying to get some mileage in.  I try to get 20-25 miles in a week.  I also lift weights at least 3 times a week and do a spin class once a week.  My favorite running workout is doing long distance runs because I enjoy the slower pace.  I know speed work is the best thing, but it is definitely my least favorite.  Any recommendations for training would help :) 

Thomas Goss

Get to Know: Thomas Goss (aka)Tog
Age: 44
Hometown: Gray , Ga.
PRs: 18:43 5k ; 39:29 10k ; 1:30:43 Half Marathon ; 3:18:02 Marathon

Thomas has lived in Gray for almost more than 20 years now since moving from Macon. I recently asked him a few questions to get the insight of why he likes to run and why just recently in the past few years you see his name on the top of the results page from the middle Georgia area.
MGRM: How long have you been running ?
Thomas: Ive been running off and on since 1988 however I went through a period of years without running because of business, being daddy and a lot of other excuses.
MGRM: Why or how did you get started into running ?
Thomas: Since a period of a long layoff on May 9th , 2012 I decided to get myself back into shape and remain that way for the rest of my life.
MGRM: What is it that makes running important to you ?
Thomas: I am dedicated to the healthy fitness / running lifestyle. Running is extremely important to me and very important part of my life. Not only does it keep me in great physical condition , it keeps me mentally fit. As you know whether its a tough 5k where you are laying all on the line for a few minutes or whether it is a marathon where you are going as hard as you can go you will come up against mental barriers. You have to be mentally tough to break through those barriers. Running helps me do this not only while running but also during triathlons , everyday life and in business as well.
MGRM: What are your favorite races?
Thomas: Mainly a lot of local races are my favorite. The Labor Day is the one I look forward to, Cherry Blossom, Camp Little Shot and our hometown Daylilly. Last year on Oct. 20th one of my daughters friend Alana Land was killed the day after competing in the Middle School State Cross Country Championships. In her honor I started with the help of Trey Smith and Stevie Shaheen on putting togehter the "Alana (Bug) Land 5k". That race really means the most to me.My favorite Half Marathon is split between the Red Nose in Columbus, Ga. and the Rock and Roll in Savannah, Ga. My Fav marathon is the Snickers Albany Marathon for now.  My favorite trail marathon is the L.H. Thompson the saturday after Thanksgiving. With that being sad I'm looking forward to running the Boston Marathon next year.

MGRM: I understand you are training for the Chattanooga Ironman coming this September. What are looking to achieve in this meca sports of endurance? 

Thomas: Training for an Ironman. Wow!!

This was a big decision for me, the amount of training hours and hardwork to get ready for an ironman is not for everybody.  You really have to take your body to its breaking point almost every training day.  My ironman training is in full swing right now and I must give a shout out to my training partners and motivators James West and Dallas Malone, these guys keep me going and keep me focused.  In Chattanooga first and foremost I want to finish. That is the answer my coach James West wants me to say, but I really have set a 12 hour goal for myself.

MGRM: What are your goals after Chattanooga Ironman?

Thomas: After Ironman Chattanooga I will immediately begin training for the Rock and Roll Half in Savannah ga. After that I will train throughout the winter preparing for The Snickers Marathon in Albany Ga, but most importantly Boston.  After Boston I am going to focus on speed work and getting my times where I want them for the 5k and 10k races.  I want to be running 17 min 5k's and 36min 10k's in the future.  I would like to close by saying that Runner's in general are a great group of supportive athletes, I am honored to be a runner, I work hard to maintain myself as a runner, I love being a runner and I love to compete.  Finally, I lost my childhood best friend almost two years ago.  His name is Jay Nathanial Gay, he was a great friend and a great person. Jay was a Marine and he laid it all on the line so we could enjoy our hobbies and passions. All of my run's and triathlons are in memory of Jay Gay.

MGRM: Tell me alittle about your family and how much they support you? I was at the Rock-N-Roll Half Ironman and couldn't help to notice the support you were getting from your family and them crossing the finish line with you. I think one of the main things you need in order to be successful in anything is having a supportive family. You seem to have that.

Thomas:  I have a wonderful supportive wife Courtney ( a supportive family is a must).  I have two daughters Kelli 14 ( runs for Jones county cross country) Lindsey 12 and my two step daughters Makenzie 12 and Kyndall 8.  Running is a family sport for us, we really enjoy competing in the local races.

MGRM: Besides anything sports related, what are your other hobbies you enjoy? 

Thomas: My non athletic hobbies are spending time with my wonderful family and trying to be very generous with my time helping people that need help. I love doing projects around the house, painting, tile, woodwork, etc.  I try to be a giving person to others in need.  

MGRM: I would like to wish you the best of luck in the Ironman and your future running. Thank you very much.