PREDICTED FINISH TIME: Under 4:00 hours

WHY IS THE BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON A SPECIAL RACE FOR YOU?
The 2011 Chicago Marathon will be my first marathon and it will be a stepping stone to my ultimate goal of one day competing in an Ironman Triathlon 70.3 or 140.6 - to say that I have done that is my ultimate physical goal!

WHAT MADE YOU SIGN UP TO RUN THE 26.2 MILE CHICAGO MARATHON?
I signed up to run the 26.2 mile Chicago Marathon this October to give back. I wanted to give back to all of my friends and family members who have supported me over the years by doing something that not many people can ever say they have accomplished - train, run and finish a 26.2 mile marathon! I also wanted to give back to a great cause that I really connected with. I am passionate about two things: my health and my job. I really wanted to help my friend, Dr. Joshua Heines and NPCO reach out to those that are not as privileged as myself and help them to get healthy. It's such a great feeling to know that as we train and run to get ourselves healthy, we are also giving back by allowing people in other countries that have no access to healthcare to get healthy. It's a win/win situation in my book!

Physical fitness is something that has always been big with me and plays an important role in all parts of my life, whether it was the sports I participated in when I was younger, weightlifting at the gym, running, biking or working on our DHL Funny Car - everything I do in life is basically a workout. My job takes a lot of physical activity so I have to find the time to always stay in shape and keep myself healthy.

ARE YOU RUNNING FOR A CAUSE OR IN HONOR OF SOMEONE?
I'm running for NPCO and all those people that I will never meet who are able to live a healthier life because of my participation in this event. Everything I do in life, I do to try and make my friends and family members proud, especially my friend Eric Medlen. Eric died in an NHRA car crash in 2007 and I carry his memory with me all the time - whether it is before we run our DHL Funny Car or when I train for this upcoming race, I know that Eric is with me and he will make each mile I run much more meaningful and special.

AS A MECHANIC FOR TEAM KALITTA'S NHRA DHL FUNNY CAR, YOU MUST HAVE A CRAZY TRAVEL SCHEDULE. HOW OFTEN DO YOU TRAVEL? HOW DO YOU FIT IN TRAINING?
Well, I travel 220 days out of the year! With such a hectic travel schedule, I am constantly on the road and at different race tracks throughout the country. You can ask any of my friends, like Dr. Heines or Diane at the NPCO office and they can tell you that I usually work seven days a week and put in extremely long hours to get the DHL Funny Car ready to go race each weekend!

For example, in the past five days we have put in 80 hours in the race shop and we won't get a day off for at least another week. The schedule is basically non-stop and is one of those jobs that things have to get done, no matter how long it takes - you just have to find the time, just like marathon training! Whether I'm doing push-ups and sit-ups in my hotel room or trying to eat healthy on the road - every little bit helps towards the ultimate goal.

Goal #1 for doing a marathon or any type of endurance training is having your mind physically fit as well as your body because if your mind tells you that you can't do it, your body will start believing it! You have to stay mentally strong with everything; between weight training and endurance training (running, swimming, and calisthenics), every little bit matters, every little bit helps! I hope that when my fellow NPCO runners realize how crazy my travel schedule is they will be motivated to find time to train properly for the October run!

DO YOU HAVE ANY INSPIRATIONAL STORIES TO SHARE?
As a child I loved working on cars and often daydreamed of what it would be like to work on a race team as a mechanic. Years of hard work, determination and a strong work ethic have allowed me to be living my childhood dream every weekend with Team Kalitta and our DHL Funny Car. This willpower is something I am fueling to find the time to remain healthy and train for the 26.2 mile Chicago Marathon!

FAVORITE QUOTE:
"Nothing good comes easy!"

WHAT IS ON YOUR IPOD WHEN YOU ARE TRAINING?
When I do listen to music, it's pretty much anything that plays on Octane Sirius XM!

WHAT FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR YOU?
Since I have such a busy travel schedule, I have noticed how important (and easy) it has been to solicit donations from my family and friends by simply taking the time to tell them what I am doing when I see them in person or over the phone. I don't spend much time on the computer so I have been successful with the good old fashioned power of a simple phone call in my fundraising efforts! In this age of technology, I think the old fashioned fundraising strategies (phone calls, letters) are often overlooked.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF ADVICE FOR YOUR FELLOW RUNNERS?
I would tell my fellow NPCO runners to just keep working hard and don't give up because it's going to be worth it! I know how special a race like this means to people - setting a goal and actually accomplishing it. It is possible! Once you do it, it's something that no one can ever take away from you! I look forward to meeting everyone and seeing them smile with their medal around their necks!

I know I am new to the running world and to the NPCO family but I appreciate all the support and the friendships that I have gained and will gain here in a few months! I am looking forward to completing and running the 2011 Chicago Marathon with all of you!

FUNDRASING GOAL:
$1,000