Greetings to the River City community from a Hoosier by birth. Born in Bloomington, I've lived in a few different states -- PA, NH, CA, and now call Colorado Springs home. My family and friends call me Nano and I have adopted the NanoOnTrails moniker and I drive a Mini Cooper with Vanity Plates -- NANOCAR. I'm also Nano-sized I guess topping out at 4'11" and thus, my nickname fits.
I started out as a road runner and did my first race in 1980. I've been running ever since and now enjoy the roads and more so the trails and mountains with my favorite distance to race...5K on the roads just to keep some focus and some speed in my legs. My favorite event is the WMRA/WMA World Masters Mountain Running Championships, an annual event held this year in Telfes, Austria (https://trailrunner.com/event/wmra-world-masters-mountain-running-championships/).
I've been involved in running since the 80s and sit on multiple committees dedicated to our sport. As the founder and executive director of the American Trail Running Association, I work to fulfill our mission to represent and promote trail running, mountain running and ultra trail running. We celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2021 which is indeed a milestone. I invite you all to visit our website to learn more about ATRA and navigate around our directories including podcasts, coaches and camps, trail maintenance organizations, and more.
My best advice to keep running well into the future involves cross training, stretching, massage, foam rolling, and recovery the benefits of which enable us to keep getting out the door to enjoy our sport. One of the best things to take on the run is a camera phone because you never know what you'll see on the run and taking pictures gives you the freedom to stop and capture the scenery. Plus, it's great especially on the trails to have a phone in case you take a tumble and need some help, or to have a map of the venue so you don't get lost. Always remember that the trails we run (as well as the roads), are indeed assets that we need to protect and maintain. Consider giving back to your community in terms of time, talent, or treasure -- do some volunteer work, or consider making a donation to a trail coalition or friends group.
What I love about River City Races is the community which stretches far and wide as is evidenced by a Coloradoan responding to this profile outreach!
Check out the American Trail Running Association website here.