Runner Spotlight - June 2025

David has been running since 2015 and became a member of Run Muskegon in 2024 after joining a team of strangers from the group for the 2022 Ragnar Road Michigan. Although he played Tennis competitively in high school, he never considered himself to be particularly athletic. It wasn’t until college when David completed his first unofficial race --the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain! Years later he would pick up running as a hobby, racing everything from the mile to marathons, trail races, ultras, and duathlons, while becoming involved in various running groups and events across West Michigan.
 
When he’s not running, David is a Human Resources professional and enjoys spending time with his dog, Henry, who has an equally impressive mustache. David is an avid gardener, design enthusiast, and a pretty okay home chef.
 
1. How long have you been running?
I was never a runner growing up despite a brief effort during the barefoot running craze of the 2010’s. Around 2015 I felt a serious lack of ambition in my life, and I ended up finding an old “Life Goals” journal I had filled out when I was in college. One of my goals was to run a marathon—which seemed like a huge goal as I was not a runner, so I figured I might as well try now! A friend gave me the book “The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer” by Tanjala Jo Kole and I got to work. I went from being unable to run a single mile to finishing the 2015 Grand Rapids Marathon 16-weeks later. It was a 4-hour, 50-minute gruel of a race but I was hooked! Since then, I’ve run 7 marathons, 1 ultra, and dozens of other races across the country while meeting new people and creating great memories along the way.
 
2. Do you race? If so, what is your most memorable race experience?
Most memorable good? That would probably be my marathon PR at Chicago in 2018. I felt like my entire training season went perfectly and the raceday conditions were ideal (the rain even stopped a few minutes before the start of the race). I finished in 3:04:30—a BQ!
 
Most memorable bad? Definitely the 2022 California International Marathon. I may have partied a little too hard the night before, felt miserable on the 45-minute bus ride to the start, and absolutely blew up at the halfway mark. The course was much hillier than I expected, and it was a pretty warm, sunny day as well. All-in-all, I learned my lesson the hard way.
 
3. Ever run in a costume? If so, what?
I have not
 
4. Only running shoes for me are...
Normally I’d say HOKA Cliftons all the way, but they changed up the most recent version and I’m not a fan. So, I’ll stick to buying last year’s model until I find something that works.
 
5. What is your worst running-related injury?
I’ve had plenty—ankle sprains, hip flexor problems, IT band issues, and several bouts of Plantar Fasciitis. My worst through was a major ankle sprain just a couple of weeks before I was supposed to do an Ironman—I had to drop out and couldn’t run for months! 
 
6. Hot or cold weather runner?
Cold weather, all the way! I’ll throw tights on and run in the snow no-problem, but I complain anytime it’s over 70 degrees and I refuse to run if it’s 85+
 
7. What is your motivation for running?
My motivation for running has changed a lot over the years. For a while it was to see how far I could push myself and how fast I could go. Now I think my motivation is more about enjoying time/experiences with friends. A big motivator for me is that I want my body to be something that propels me towards my other goals rather than holding me back.
 
8. If I didn't run I....
Would probably be out on the race course a lot longer...
 
9. I can't run without...
Brushing my teeth first. If I’m going to be gasping for air I might as well make my breath smell good.
 
10. What's the farthest you have run at one time?
I ran the Dirty Burg 50k in 2016 and swore I would never run that far again!
 
11. What brought you to Run Muskegon and why have you stayed?
I’ve run with various running groups since 2016 and always really enjoyed the group experience. Many of my running friends in other groups have hit different life stages and we’ve kind of gone our own ways. I had a few friends in Run Muskegon who said it was worth checking out, and after running a Ragnar with the group I was convinced it was worth the weekly drive from Grand Rapids! Run Muskegon is really a great group of people and a highlight of my week.
 

 

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