Information on sending in your biographies click here           last updated 4/26/08 


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Running Biography of Nikki Bergh

It was the spring of 1990, I was in 6th grade, and I will never forget my 1st 400 meter dash on Track and Field Day for gym.  I had on a pair of stone washed pink jean shorts, a teal blue T-shirt with Mickey Mouse on the pocket, and my white KED shoes. (WARNING: Shoes could cause shin splints within 1 mile).  I actually won, and throughout Jr. High and High School the 400m was my race. 

High School/College:
I qualified for the state meet in the 400m dash and 1600m relay.  I never thought I would be able to compete at the college level, but somehow my high school track coach talked me into it.  I visited St. Cloud State the winter of 1996 on crutches after having surgery on my foot (surgery due to my stupidity). Running became my second event while pole vaulting became my focus. Two years of vaulting turned into a trip to the 1999 Division II National Track and Field Championships in Indianapolis where I will never forget the experience.  5th Place All-American honors, great…, but all grandparents there to watch, priceless!!!

Post College Years:
“Hey Nikki, do you want to do the Apple Duathlon?”  “Heck, I can run 9 miles and bike 25 miles without training.”  I called the race directors, signed up, and remember the kind man I talked to. I showed up with my mountain bike. (Uhhh, I was kind a out of my league.)  “What the **** was I thinking?”  I finished, stayed for awards, and by golly guess who won the $500 HED race wheel?  Me…  “What in the h*** am I going to do with this wheel?”  “I sure wish I had that wheel now!” 

Accomplishments:
SCSU Record Holder (1600 m relay) indoor/outdoor
NCC Conference Pole-Vault Champion - 1999
All-American Pole Vaulter - 1999
Boston Qualifier - 2007
Ironman Finisher - 2006 and 2007

Favorite Route: Any run with my dog, Browning.


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Running Biography of Kathy Carlson

I was never much of a runner for most of my adult life, although I had an interest!  In college I ran the bridges between St. Cloud State and Division Street a few times and felt pretty tough!  After marriage and children, I ran occasionally, but never routinely.  I remember the one and only time I ran 5 miles.  I was so proud! 

New Years Eve 2001, a friend suggested I run the Earth Day Half Marathon.  I thought he was crazy!  People tend to say crazy things on New Years Eve!  But two weeks later, after a lot of thinking, I took him on.  I trained with my own program and did it!  That was my first real race at age 42!  And then I was hooked. 

I did my first marathon in 2003 - Grandma's in Duluth.  I could not believe that I finished!  I continued to run.  All training runs were done with my Golden Retriever, Nelly.  

Eventually I felt I needed something more (although I still love running with my dog), and joined the River Runners Wednesday night runs in August, 2006.  Believe me, it was a BIG STEP!  Ron S. started a group of "slower" runners coming on that night, and that was all I needed!  Eventually I got brave enough to try the weekend runs, and it was the breakfast/socializing after the run that got me coming back routinely.  Now I have found real friends, and have done some fantastic trips to races!  I never, in my wildest dreams thought I would get any faster.  But running with the River Runners has helped me PR at marathon number 4, the Des Moines Marathon, in 2007, at age 49!  Thank you River Runners for your continued support, and friendship!!


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Running Biography of Roger Chevalier

They always say if you live right things will turn out right, if not they don't; but it stays with you for the rest of your life.  Well even though I always worked hard in life, I didn’t always live right and you only live once with one chance to do it right.  I always said as far as staying healthy in life “No pain no gain”, but sometimes pain needs a rest.  Especially after falling hard on the ice this past winter and breaking my ribs and injuring my lung.  I know I have to stop and recover sometimes or I won’t be running at all.  Sometimes I get injured and have to recover for a while and start over again.  

I was born seven days before Pearl Harbor was struck and went to a one room school through the eighth grade in Benton county, left home when I was sixteen working for farmers for my room and board and $5.00 a week.   I managed to buy a car and graduate from high school on my own in 1959 at seventeen.

My worst pain in life though was in 1966 after trying to raise my baby girl by myself for two years and work at the same time and not being able to raise her without a mother as well as I wanted to and giving her up for adoption and not knowing how she was doing in life or if I would ever see her again.   Years later I got married again and raised two sons only to get single again in 1988.

We didn't have anybody out running much in the 50’s and 60’s.  I used to work the 3 to 11 shift at a Holliday station in St. Paul in the 60's and I used to run home from the bus in Minneapolis.  A street cop once stopped me and frisked me and asked me what I was running from.  “You must be running from something” he said.  I didn’t do much running after the 60’s until 1982 when I was in my 40's and we lived in Princeton next to the high school track field.  My sons and I would go out there and run on the high school running track. There I slowly got in shape when nobody was around.  In 1997 I was 55 years old and only two years away from retiring from Roadway as a Teamsters truck driver. I got in trouble with alcohol over and over again that year.  I knew I needed to turn my life around if I was going to retire.  I managed to quit by going through treatment and lots of AA meetings.  One weekend when I was in treatment I biked from Sauk Rapids to Willmar.  After that my counselor called me Forrest Gump.

I used to run races most every weekend, as many as I could fit in.  Nowadays in my later 60's with gas and entry fees higher I only run to try to keep my weight down and stay healthy.                         

A couple of races I drove all night to get to were “Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run” in International Falls, MN and “Queen Victoria Day 10 Mile Road Race” in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  A few favorite races are “Milaca PM Run” to Princeton, the “Mora Half Marathon”, “Winter Carnival Frozen Half Marathon”,  and “Green Lake Road Race”.

My personal best is never the best – I just run to stay healthy.  I don’t always make it to the runs as I sometimes have to give attention to my dogs and I love being there for my wife Lynn. It’s been a real blessing for me to have met Lynn ten years ago and to have six grandkids now (great granddaughter coming in May) and I believe running will keep me around for them a lot longer. I enjoy being a SCRR even though I am a slower runner; it gives me incentive to keep running and try to show up at our Saturday runs once in a while.


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Running Biography of Yvette Dockendorf

My running life began many, many years ago in the 8th grade after a friend convinced me to join the cross country team, promising me that it would be FUN and a great way to make friends.  And since I was slowly coming to the realization that I was not coordinated enough for ball sports, I figured I had nothing to lose.  Yes, our choices at my very small, Catholic high school were CC, BB, VB, and track.  I can still remember those grueling, hot summer days that year prior to school starting.  We would be running around the lake in my town and try to run the length of one telephone pole to the next and then walk because that was an accomplishment.  Before we knew it, we made it all the way around the lake!  Little did I know then that running would become a big part of my life.

I had many accomplishments both in CC and track throughout high school, primarily my freshmen and sophomore years when we were the team to beat.  We always had fun despite an overly-aggressive coach who always made things interesting.

The burnout factor hit me hard into my young adult life and I ran only one season each of CC and track during my college days at CSB.  I continued to run off and on for fitness, but just didn't want to be committed anymore and told what to run and how to run it.  Then in '94 after the birth of my first daughter, one of my best friends told me she was training for the Twin Cities Marathon.  It sounded like something fun to do, so I signed up.  I did not train properly, but managed to finish (the experience was comparable to childbirth for me).  Somehow, I became hooked and realized that I could continue to do this, I would just have to put in the miles and actually train to have it be more enjoyable.  

A couple marathons later, I joined the club in '98 and found instant success in running with the group.  I was pushing myself more than when I ran alone and found myself getting better and better every race, shaving ten, fifteen, and even twenty minutes off marathon times.  I truly believe that I owe a lot of my successes to the SCRR's for challenging me and making me become a better runner.  Unfortunately, those days of PR's are probably done, but I still enjoy running and racing when I can and always feel lucky enough to be able to do so.  For me, running is relaxing and stress-relieving, but most of all it will always be a gift.  I can see myself running for many, many years to come!


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Running Biography of Paul Ford

I began running shortly after I began walking as I have 7 older brothers and sisters.  Much of the motivation and a certain urgency was added to my training by my next older brother.  When I left home and escaped my siblings I took up sitting and eating as my major activities.  After about 20 years of this I must have been completely bored as I took up running.  I became serious because of the positive results it had on my love life.  There is nothing more attractive to the ladies than a little fat guy in spandex with sweat and salt all over him.  Who knew?
 
My favorite runs are the breakfast runs, adventure runs like the Grand Canyon, trips both long and short with fellow River Runners and relays like the Edmund Fitz and New Hampshire.
 
I am not going to claim any great running accomplishments.  At least not it writing.  Talk to me off the record and you won't believe how great I was.  And still am for that matter.
 
As for future goals, I am planning to be the first 70 year old to set a new p.r. of under 3 hours in the marathon.  So far I am on course.  I am getting closer to 70 and haven't broken 3 hours yet.


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Running Biography of Arvid Fristad

I started walking/running again at age 44 after a 26 year hiatus.  

I got interested in running for health reasons.  My doctor told me my cholesterol was too high, I should lose some weight, and I should get on an exercise program.  With determination and no medication I lowered my cholesterol 43 points and lost 49 pounds in less than 6 months.

Some of my accomplishments with running are getting my health back and being able to finish 16 full marathons.  Qualifying for the 2008 Boston Marathon is my biggest accomplishment!   

My favorite running routes are anywhere the SCRR's go on a Saturday morning run.  I look forward to it every week.

My favorite race is any marathon that I run with fellow SCRR members. 


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Running Biography of Wanda Gau

I was Not born with an athletic bone in my body - I tried sports in high school at Apollo but just didn't have any talent.  At 40 I joined our health club and was talked into Saturday morning group runs.  I really enjoyed the social aspect of the group run.  I was challenged by my husband to try to beat him in a 5k.  I then realized that I am also just a little bit competitive.

Our group decided to try the Earth Day half marathon and then Grandma's marathon in 2005.  I ran it with severe shin splints, but finished.  It was an incredible feeling!  The group then decided to try the Chicago marathon in 2006.  I had my PR of 3:39 and without even trying, qualified for Boston.  I then ran Twin Cities last October and finished a disappointing 3:46.  My next quest is Boston in April.

I graduated into a new age group last year and had some success with 5k finishes.  I give so much credit to Jacki DeVine.  She is the greatest mentor anyone could ask for! (not to mention an all-around great gal.)  I enjoy the 5k distance because I like pushing my body to see how hard it can go.  I hope to expand and do races of different lengths this next season.  I am excited to be part of the Circuit Team.  I joined the River Runners as I feel I have reached another level in my running and with such a large group there will be plenty of experience to learn from and advice to hear.


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The Authorized Running Biography of Anne Hoeschen

Synchronized Swimming, Speech team & Musicals.   These non-running events filled the first 30 years of my life as I dabbled with the idea of running, got started mountain biking and then ONE DAY trained for the Earth Day 5K.  Hooked-oh-rama-big-time!  Sign me up for the St. Cloud River Runners!!!!

Reading everything & anything on running, I trained for my first marathon inspired by Amy Mareck, a young writer who died from complications of osteosarcoma at 19.  Four marathons & a half ironman triathlon later, my internal energies are shifting.  (creeeaaak)

Balancing teaching, yoga, traveling, motherhood, biking, swimming & running; I hope to ONE DAY complete an Ironman.
Will Boston happen?  Hopefully.  Kona?  One can only pray, dream & train like a mad dog.  The marathon distance has taught me well.

I run for life, friendships, mental clarity, meditation: to create as much happiness, joy and love I can possibly experience in this lifetime.


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Running Biography of Travis Hoover

I started running sporadically when I was 10, just enough to finish the 5Ks that preceded the marathons my dad was running.  In fact, the first time I ever ran with the River Runners was when I was 12 or 13 years old (story provided below).

When I was 19 I put on the Freshman 30, and was missing competition, so I started running regularly the following summer, dropped 35 pounds, put in another year of easy mileage, and then joined the SCSU CC and Track teams.

Some of my more memorable running accomplishments include: the run mentioned below; the one and only time I handed our number one runner's backside to him at the St. John's Open; finishing within 30 seconds of Ryan Ford in the Regent 5 Mile; getting 5th at the pre-Regional race my senior year with a torn labrum in my hip; getting outkicked by Denny's young nephew two Jingle Bell runs back; and, setting the course record at the now defunct Clearwater Travel Plaza Trail Run.

My PR's are hopefully still to come.

My favorite routes include anything along the river, and my favorite races are (or were) the Regent (Wheels, Wings, and Water) 5 Mile, the Human Race 8K, Get-in-Gear 10K, and the Reindeer Run 5K.

My favorite runners are Haile Gebrselassie, Ryan Hall, Peter Snell, Dick Beardsley, Brian Sell, my wife Becky, my dad in 1996, anyone who doesn't use performance enhancing drugs, and all those out when it is so cold that your eyelids freeze shut.

On my first run with the River Runners I remember leaving from the Kelly Inn and starting off with the pack that ran at my dad's pace.  I'd been running with him on and off for a few months and figured I could keep up.  About half way through the run we crossed the bridge by the Paper Mill and I remember thinking that I could catch the faster group in front of us if I just picked the pace up a little bit, so I popped two mental placebos and proceeded to sprint out away from my dad and the last moment of comfort I would have all day.  Two miles later I found myself running alone between the two groups, having made no progress on the faster ones in front, and being too prideful to admit defeat by turning around to rejoin the people behind.  I remember this point being an open stretch about where the Bridge of Hope is now.  I remember that it was just before the faster group was about to turn the next corner and out of my sight that one of them happened to look back and see me struggling feverishly just to stay upright.  At that point my legs were beginning to feel like jello, and the line on the side of the road was beginning to blur, and I must have looked sad enough to garner some pity because the runner who looked back turned around and graciously accompanied me.  He paced me all the way back, for which I am eternally grateful as I had no idea where I was, and would have gotten lost and continued to run until I hit the Iowa border.  Once back, I downed a dozen Green Mill pancakes, regained some of my mental capacities (they haven't all yet returned), and proceeded to give up regular running again until I was 19.


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Running Biography of Phil Keller

I began running in 9th grade, when I was 13 years old.  I joined cross country to get in shape for basketball.
I guess I was better at running.

Some of my accomplishments are: I am very proud that I was able to run for five years at North Dakota State University.  
Also, completing Grandma's Marathon in 2003 was basically awesome.

I have been a part of a lot of team success.  In high school, my team, Sauk Rapids High School, qualified for the state CC meet in 1996.  In track, my senior year in 1998, we took 2nd at the MN State True Team track & field meet.  While in college, NDSU basically dominated the NCC in track.  Being a part of successful teams is always very motivating and fun.

Coaching CC and track in New Mexico has also been fun.  I was able to coach state champions and bring 38 athletes to the state meet in CC and track.

Personal PRs:
5k: 15:30  (College, 2003)
8k: 26:20  (College, 2002)
1/2 Marathon:  1:13:32  (Dec 2007)
Full Marathon:  2:46:30  (Grandma's 2007)

Some of my favorite running routes or races?  Ok, I have a few.  I love running routes from the old SR High School (or SR Coborns).  Anything that goes through Munsinger Park is pretty cool.  I know that most hate it, but the Hillside Hill is basically the most fun a person can have going uphill.  I had the opportunity to build a 1.5 mile trail in the East Sandia Mountains in New Mexico...I miss that trail.  Missoula has some great trails to run on, the only problem is that they are mostly out and back.

Races:  Well, since I am the four time champion of the St. Joseph 4th of July 5k, I would have to say that is a fun race.  The Granite City 5k has a special place in my heart as I feel that since the WWW 5-miler was canceled, it is the race of St. Cloud.  I mean, look at the history of who has run it:  Chris Raabe, Sam Renneberg, Ryan Ford,  plus all the old-timers.  The race has featured the best of  St. Cloud D-runners.  I love Grandma's Marathon, although it is the only marathon that I have run.


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Running Biography of Joe Perske

I'm afraid mine would read like the diary of a mad man.
Jan would easily be able to file the commitment papers.


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Running Biography of Pat Ross

I started running when I turned 40 as a way to keep my weight down and to reduce the chances of heart disease.  At one time I was over 230 lbs. and now I run at 150 lbs.

I have been marathon free for many years now.  However, I did survive 15 of them and only 5 were over 3 hrs.  My best time was 2:49:33.
It was my goal to run one more sub 3 hr marathon after I turned 50, which I did at 51.
Then I was talked into one more in Pittsburgh . TOO HOT!  It almost killed me. No more!

I don't race much anymore but enjoy taking  photos of those who do.

I always liked running the TCM and training in St. Cloud, using the bridges in Sartell, Sauk Rapids and SCSU.


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Running Biography of John Seiler

1988 was the year I Got-in-Gear.  It was a family affair, with my older brother and sister joining me at the starting line of the Get-in-Gear 10K.  Being younger than them I was confident that I’d finish first!  Something didn’t add up that day as I crossed the finish line 3rd in the family lineup.  So I spent the next 18 years running the Get-in-Gear and challenging my siblings to a do-over.  

Fast-forward to 2001 when, after years of running spring 10Ks just to get in shape for cycling season, I committed to train for a marathon.  My new-found River Runner friends were there to provide pointers and encouragement.  I needed all of that as Grandma’s turned out to be the mother – no, the Grandmother – of all my races.  I crossed the finish line and spent the next 6 months hobbling around.  But I did finally recover and I’ve run many (shorter) races since.  Some people say I’m running better than ever now (they usually tell me this as they pass me with less than a mile to the finish line).  

Currently I’m preparing for my first out-of-state trip with fellow River Runners.  Rumor has it that Survivor Man turned down the invitation because it was just too dangerous for him!  I’ll be sure to take along some extra rations, gasoline, a water purifier and a red handkerchief - to wipe all the tears of laughter from my eyes!


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Running Biography of Coley Spooner

Our family vacations, when I was growing up, seemed to revolve around triathlons. We would tour Minnesota and watch our dad race.  Each trip was the same routine - find a hotel with a pool, swim, go to church, go to bed, wake up early and eat Mickey's donuts and drink chocolate milk in the car while our dad got ready for the race.  None of us could fathom doing a triathlon, but we did think we could handle doing a relay.  The only problem was, we all wanted to be the "runner".  Over a decade has passed since we attended a race together.

 

One day, I decided I wanted to try running.  I had always wanted to try it, but was never successful;  made it half a block, hurt my knee, was too cold, etc.  Finally, I started running for a bit while I walked.  I only had worked up to a ten minute jog.  Then I met my running partner.  He pushed me to run farther.  We ran on treadmills and ran on sidewalks and ran on trails.  Initially, he didn't want to go more than 20 minutes, but I decided I wanted to run in a 5k.  We pushed each other.  Eventually, we were both running 3.1 miles everyday.  I have only done a handful of 5ks since I started running.  My best time was 26:___ something.  I can't remember.

 

In the summer of 2007 I did a triathlon with my dad.  He beat me, of course.  I would like to do that triathlon again and my goal is to do it in an hour; however, I have been lacking the motivation to train.

 

I recently moved up to St. Cloud and doing so, lost my running partner (and then became lazy.)  I am glad to have met the River Runners (although I am chicken to run in the cold) and I am hoping they will help push me to run better.


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Running Biography of Ron Stock

Following in my brothers' footsteps, I started running in 9th grade at Apollo High School.  I competed in Cross-Country and Track & Field for four years at Apollo, and was very fortunate to be coached by men like Bob Domek, Scott MacLeod, and Phil Rogosheske.  The highlight of my high school career was running with my teammates in the 1978 State Cross-Country Meet, where we finished 7th as a team.

After college, my goal was to run a marathon, which I did at the 1984 Grandma's Marathon.  After that, I expected to take a break for two weeks, but it ended up being 10 years.  After 10 years I wanted to get into better shape, so I started running again.  Fortunately, I met some St. Cloud River Runners and soon joined this running club.  That caused me to run more, and enjoy running more, than I ever had before.

I have run many half-marathons, and 10 marathons.  The marathons were all within Minnesota, with 3 Twin Cities, 2 Grandma's, 2 Voyageurs, and 1 each at Rochester, Walker, and Moose Mountain.

One of my biggest running accomplishments was running a sub-3-hour marathon (2:57) at over 40 years old (41) and over 200 pounds (202) at TCM 2001.  Another accomplishment was competing for nine years in the Family category of the Edmund Fitzgerald Ultra-Marathon Team Relay with many members of my family.  In those nine years, we finished 4th once, 2nd twice, and 1st six times.

Two amazing adventures with the River Runners involved one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon.  The first was running with a great group rim-to-rim across the Grand Canyon in 2005.  The other was going back to the Grand Canyon two years later for a 22-mile hike to the Native American village of Supai and the beautiful Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls.

Some of my favorite running routes are any of the bridge runs along the Mississippi River between the Sartell bridge and the SCSU bridge, and running the trails at Quarry Park.

Some of my favorite races are the Twin Cities Marathon, the Earth Day Half Marathon, the Granite City 5K, Milaca's Runnin' In The Ruff, and the Rutabaga Run in Cumberland, WI. 


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Running Biography of Amy Woolsey

5 miles, 5 days a week, @ 5:30 in the morning, in a group of 5 (2 friends and their 2 dogs), for about 5 years -

This is how my life as a runner got started.  It was simply a way to get in shape and stay in shape after having babies and while raising small children.  Eventually one friend and I took on the challenge of a half marathon and ran a few of those.  Then it was time to try the marathon, just to say I did one, so I ran Grandma’s in 2000.  That was enough of that, at least for a few years. 

Then all of a sudden I was turning 40 and wanted to do something special to celebrate this coming of age.  Why not another marathon?!  I decided on Des Moines because it was closest to my birthday.  This time one was not enough; I ended up doing a series of 3 marathons in 4 months, finally breaking the 4 hour mark in Houston (January 2006).  Later that year another milestone was reached as I qualified for Boston at the WhistleStop Marathon (October 2006) and ran Boston in 2007.

About this same time all of my running friends were either injured or tired of running (Can you imagine???).  Needing some new training partners, I decided to try running with those infamous runners that I had heard about and seen around town, but was always too chicken to run with.  After just a couple breakfast runs I was hooked and have been a member of the River Runners ever since (November 2005).

Also in this same time frame I met a friend who had overcome some significant odds to train for and successfully complete an Ironman.  Through her story and conversations with her, I was inspired to take on the Ironman myself.  After taking the plunge and signing up for the 2006 Wisconsin Ironman I met Nikki and Cindy and found out that they too were going to tackle this challenge.  Training with them and several other River Runners that summer was both a highlight and pinnacle in my world of running/triathlon.  I was challenged, motivated and encouraged like never before.  I discovered the joy of pushing beyond what you think you can do, and the power of a positive group of training partners.  It has been all uphill ever since (only figuratively of course)!

Ironman Triathlon
Madison, WI
2006

2.4 mile swim -- 1:17:14
112 mile bike -- 7:07:57
26.2 mile run  -- 4:28:43

total time -- 13:13:32

 

Sharing the experience
with the entire family -

PRICELESS!

 
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