I have been running since I was about six. I started training seriously (but still for fun) at age 13, joining the Nanaimo Track and Field Club as a guest runner. My 1500 time back then was about 5:09. Within a year it was 4:15. By then I had been to tons of meets, and I was hooked. Competitions have always been an addiction for me, and almost never a negative experience.
In 1985 I moved to Ontario to live with my dad, and continued with my athletics after some time off. My second coach started the Excel Track Club, but later moved us to the Burlington Legion Optimists Track Club - a larger group that had more resources (we needed more money for travel expenses). My first national team experience came in 1988 - the World Junior Cross Country Championships in New Zealand.
In 1992 I accepted a scholarship to the University of Arkansas. My best racing has been as a part of the Arkansas Razorback squad. In my years there, we lost only one national team title under my watch. A relatively horrid 10th place. I couldn't possibly recount all of the great experiences I had as a part of the Razorbacks, but they were many, and will be well-remembered.
Travels and racing took me to many places, but most of my day to day activities were done within range of home. My training centers had been as follows:
