This page, like most roads here in Ohio is UNDER CONTINUOUS CONSTRUCTION
I'm back and looking to do some more posting!!!
Check out my photos from Hocking Hills State Park for Autumn 2005
Photos from New York City (2006)!
I am a 28 year old grad student at The Ohio State University in The John Glenn School of Public Affairs. After high school, I decided against immediately applying to University since the purpose of spending $40K when you're not sure what you want to do with your life eluded me. So, I spent some time finding me. I spent some time in a variety of jobs - assembly, warehouse, food service, and some time in the tourist industry (I'm originally from Niagara Falls, NY). I spent some time as a volunteer firefighter, went to school to become a New York State Paramedic - AEMT-4 - did that for a while.... The pay was pathetic and I was regularly working in excess of 96 hours a week. I then decided to attend a company sponsored training academy to obtain a Class A CDL and proceeded to spend the better part of the next 2.5 years driving around the country.
I intended to some day return to University, and at the end of summer in 2003, on a highway somewhere in the middle of the country my mind was made up...no matter the cost and difficulty - it's time to apply to University. I applied to OSU in the Spring, was accepted, and started in the Fall of 2004.
I had the fortune of taking hockey as a for-credit course last quarter and now have the pleasure of playing for the Fireballs (a local D league team). I enjoy watching hockey - in particular the Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets. I'm also a fan and season ticket holder of our local MLS squad, the Columbus Crew (professional soccer). I'm looking forward to the Jackets 2008/09 season coming up as MLS is winding down and the Crew are looking in good shape for the play-offs
The Summer (2008) Olympics have blown me away. The feats achieved, records broken, and spectacular athleticism have been inspiring! Earlier in the summer, as I was working on my Senior thesis, I decided I wanted to do my best to get back in shape and compete in Triathlon again... While out on a fairly short and easy training ride I was tossed from my bike by some uneven pavement which ripped up my right side and left a number of scars; but far more seriously, I dislocated some metacarpals in my left hand and destroyed a number of ligaments and tendons, requiring surgery. The surgery and time spent in the cast (more than 8 Weeks) was horrible for me... I just wanted to get back to working out and was going to do it - then that, and I couldn't. Just a few days after the cast came off, I was back to running. I am slow, again... I am far out of shape from where I once was... I am on the path to the way things were, and continuing to improve once I get there...
I started running on the weekends in May of 2004, when I was home from driving to try and get back into shape, I even kept a small set of dumbbells in the truck to work out while waiting at shippers and consignees. I didn't really gain that much weight while driving, but I didn't feel good about what I did gain. Also, I'd just like to point out that I'm not the quickest runner: I've been running around 9:00 to 9:30 miles, but I really enjoy the time it gives me alone with my thoughts. I have run 2 Half-Marathons: Labor Day weekend 2004 - the Rock and Roll Half Marathon - Virginia Beach, VA; and 3 April 2005 - the Capital City Classic - Columbus, OH. Also, there have been a number of 5K races and I began 10K's and Triathlons in 2005. Sadly, I've been far out of the routine over the past year or so - here's hoping I'll be able to get back into things this summer before starting grad school. Click here for my race history, times, and reflections of these races!
I am also a member of The Ohio State Triathlon Club and The Ohio State Cycling Club.
Next on my list of trips being planned:
I'm currently training for the following events.
Here is my current training plan.
