Meet the Players

Greg, Mary and Death:

Greg was a CS major at SUNY Geneseo, so we were in a lot of the same classes. One day before class, my senior year, he mentioned that he needed a workout partner. Thus began my weight lifting career. Greg also got me into running, and I blame him for this whole mess we call marathon training. He is nice enough to let me run the long runs with him. He has a blog, which he authors with his wonderful wife, Mary (also a SUNY Geneseo alumn). They have a shiny new baby, named Death. Or Cassarole. I forget which.

Mark:

Mark is (also) a graduate of SUNY Geneseo. Mark’s claim to fame is that he was born in the town where air conditioning was invented. Seriously. He also has a blog. Mark has a nearly infinite number of brothers. I once sat behind one at a ice hockey game at RIT without knowing he had a brother at RIT.

David:

David is my twin brother. Although not as good looking as I, he is almost as smart as I am. Currently, he is a high school teacher and track coach. Although he is a faster runner than I am, I suspect I will be whooping him come marathon day. I make David live in the attic of my house.

Mark:

The other person who lives in my house, though we do not make him live in the attic. Mark is the Super Fantastic Assistant Executive Vice Principal of a local summer camp. He claims this is a year round job, but I know better. Mark is also partaking in the marathon this year.

Katie:

My brothers better half, even when she leaves electrical appliances running all day. Katie is in charge of the cheering section.

Jennifer:

Even though I thought for a long time growing up that she was an alien, it turns out that she is, in fact, my biological sister. She missed me so much when she lived in Seattle that she moved back to the east coast. It is possible that she did that to score points for the ‘child of the year’ award, but she did not win that year, so there is little proof to back that theory up. She is also a teacher. Although she is not running the marathon, she will be hosting me when I run the Philly marathon - she just does not know that yet.

Scott, Megan and Bailey:

Scott is my cousin and coworker. He is what gets me through the days at work sometimes. He also is the reason why I love Burger King so much. Way to go, Scott, way to go. Megan is his girlfriend, and Bailey is the thing that keeps their household so interesting! Scott, Megan and Bailey are not running the marathon, but they will be in charge of the ice baths after. I should probably let them know that…

Mama and Papa Dukes:

The reason I am here. The reason I ride motorcycles. They will provide pre and post race transportation logistics, as well as cheer us on at the start and end of the race. The several hours in between are probably going to be very boring for them.

Matt:

While not a SUNY Geneseo graduate (we do not hold it against him), Matt did go to school with me at Liverpool High School. We wrestled together, and depending on who you ask, he was a better wrestler. But he has no hair now, so it evens out somewhere. Matt is running the marathon with us, and he will probably beat me. But at least I still have hair.

The Good Doctor:

The good doctor is the podiatrist I am seeing about some of my foot problems. He is by far the best doctor I have had. He demonstrates the problem I have with his models, he answers my questions and he explains (in non-doctor terms) what the causes and treatments are.

The Physical Therapist:

First a friend, now she treats me. Katie got me through some of the leg pain so that I could actually compete in the Rochester Marathon.