Over the past year I have found that, at times, training to be a professional runner can feel much like trying to dig through asphalt with a wooden spoon. Putting in vast amounts of effort but never really getting anywhere. Obviously, it was time for a change. A move that would take me one more quarter of the way across the country and hopefully from humble personal bests to slightly better than humble personal bests, or at the very least allow me to find more enjoyment in running. Having started my running career in southeastern Idaho, moving to Oklahoma, then Detroit, a move to North Carolina seemed fitting. Reverting back to the slow and simple life in a modest, mountain town. Blowing Rock, NC…. Here I come.

Two weeks ago today I was running around a suburban running shop like a chicken with my head cutoff. Being the only employee on staff, I was scrambling to help all six customers who were clamoring for more attention while looking forward to my afternoon run, a break from running shoe store stresses and an escape from my increasingly mundane schedule. Finally something new and excited. A chance to run with a team again and to have a sponsor to help take some of the financial pressure off.

I’ve just finished my first week here at Zap, as well as my first Adult Marathon Camp and first blog as a Zap athlete. Talk about a baptism by fire. Being surrounded by so many new tasks and experiences has made my transition fairly quick and simple. The immediacy of the situation left me with little choice but to merge with my new surroundings. Being thrust into the flames has allowed me to quickly meld into the group. So here I am, hopefully a fully-functional part of this well oiled machine that is Zap Fitness.
 

  I am writing this blog as I enter my fourth week at ZAP Fitness. I came here by way of Indianapolis, Indiana and Grand Valley State University.

My first few weeks at ZAP have been filled with many new experiences: food (believe it or not I had not eaten a green vegetable in my life until a few weeks ago), mountainous terrain, living in the dirty south, coaching, and new teammates. Most important is the fact that nothing here felt strange or uncomfortable, and my new teammates felt like old teammates from day one. I am very lucky to have been able to rejoin my college teammate and friend Nate Peck. There aren’t too many guys in post-collegiate groups that have the opportunity to continue to train with their college teammates. 

My first few years of college were plagued with injury and setbacks, but that has passed and allowed me to improve significantly in the last couple of years. I’ve been given a unique and exciting opportunity here at ZAP to be able to push my body to it’s limits and reach my goals in running. I’m looking forward to hitting a large training block this fall gearing up for some big 5ks and 10ks this spring on track.