Leigh Schmitt
Montrail athlete since: 2004
Hometown: Conway, Massachusetts
Favorite action hero: Spider Man and Captain Planet
Snacks on the run: Chocolate Outrage Gu, lemon or frost (antifreeze blue) flavored Gatorade, bananas, potatoes, M&M's, gummy bears, Tums and Advil.
Quote to live by: Go my sons, burn your books, Buy yourself stout shoes. Get away to the mountains, the deserts and the deepest recesses of the earth. In this way and no other will you gain a true knowledge of things and of their properties. -Seter Severinus, 1571 A.D.
Shoe of choice: Montrail Masai and Odyssey
Real Job: Father of a 2-year old boy, and...Science Teacher (Environmental Science, Biology and Earth Science) and Coach (Cross Country and Lacrosse)
Upcoming plans: Vermont 50, Maine 50, Stonecate Ale 50, and the Hellgate 100k, Western States and the Long Trail.
Fame: Course records at VT50, VT100, Jay Challenge and Finger Lakes 50
Advice to first timers: Have fun...and leave your watch behind
Chad Denning
I am a 31 year old Recreation Professional living in New London, NH with my wife and two children. I am an Elite Endurance Athlete who enjoys mixing up his training for races with mountain biking, Nordic skiing, telemarking, climbing, snowshoe racing and Adventure Racing. Over the past five years, I have lived a life of endless training and have been living and racing all over the U.S., as well as the South Pacific. I live my life as if it were an adventure race with no finish line. My athletic goal is to rise to the highest level that my abilities and hard work will take me. Whether it is a team adventure race, or an ultra run, I am dedicated not to let myself or my team down.
Endurance Athlete
Inov-8/ Eastern Mountain Sports athlete since: 2003
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Nickname: Chadly
Favorite action hero: The Wolverine
Snacks on the run: Cliff Bar Shot Blocks/ GU’s and PB& J’s
Quote to live by: Resist much, obey little
Shoe of choice: Inov-8 f-lite 300
Real Job: Town of New London Recreation Director
Films/Media highlights: Primal Quest 2003, Numerous articles
Upcoming plans: Verbier 60KM, Vermont 50 and lots of Adventure Racing
Fame: 2006 United States Adventure Racing National Champions
Advice to first timers: Have FUN!, keep smiling and stay on top of
hydration and food
Don Allison
Zeke Zucker
Marathoner since 1981, Ultra Runner since 1997
Hometown: Jeffersonville, Vermont
Favorite Action Hero: Homer Simpson
Snacks on the run: Hammer Gel, sliced turkey, watermelon, trail mix without the candy, Ensure, Big fresh strawberries and electrolyte caps
Quote to live by: "You have to wonder at times what you‚re doing out there. Over the years I‚ve given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement. " - Steve Prefontaine
Shoes of choice: New Balance 809 all Terrain
Real job: Retired Navy Commander and Nordic Center Director
Upcoming plans: Nipmuck Trail Marathon, Massanutten 100, Vermont 50, Wasatch 100, JFK 50
Fame: 60‚s course record holder at: Nipmuck, VT 100, VT50K & JFK50. U.S. 60‚s record for 12 Hour.
Advice to first timers: Enjoy the journey and train on hills (up and down)
Deborah
Livingston Endurance Runner Montrail athlete since: 2004
Hometown: Bolton, CT
Nickname: Debbie or “Ponytail” on the New England circuit
Favorite action hero: R2D2
Snacks on the run: Clif Shots, pretzels, chocolate chip cookies and M & M’s
Quote to live by: To give anything less
than your best is to sacrifice The Gift.
Shoe of choice: Highlander
Real Job: Personal Trainer, Yoga and Pilates teacher
Media highlights: Appalachian Mountain Club’s Appalachia and AMC Outdoors, upcoming article in Trail Runner about running and pregnancy
Upcoming plans: Getting back into ultra-running after taking 1½ years off to have a baby, Shepard (born Aug. 15, 2006) and focusing on a big event; the Tour Du Mont-Blanc.
Fame: New England Grand Tree Trail Running Series female winning 6 years in a row. First overall in the 2004 Vermont 50k. First woman 2005 Jay Challenge 31.5 miles. Hiked the Long Trail self supported on 13 days.
Advice to first timers: It gets easier the more you run and race. Your body will adapt to the distance.
Joy Grossman
Marathoner since 1985 First Ultra 1998
Hometown: South Woodstock, Vermont
Favorite Action Hero - my six year old son - Eli
snacks while running - gummy bears, all types of "newtons", pop tarts, energy buttons
quote to live by "compromise we'll do it my way"
shoe of choice -Asics Gel Kayano
real job - mommy to Hallie, Caroline and Eli
merchant
future job - race development, promoter and organizer
Favorite Races - VT 100 and Jay Mountain Marathon (I love running rivers on a hot day)
Advice to a first time ultra runner - enjoythe day and the scenery - don't worry about the time