Questions

 

You’re training for your first marathon – the National in March. Why did you decide to do that? I am fairly new to running. After I did my first couple of races – 5Ks, 10Ks – it sort of led to becoming a goal I thought I could attain.

 

What’s been the hardest part of your training? Definitely the cold. I realize it’s not been that drastic a winter but running that far in the freezing cold was such a new experience for me. I hated every minute of it – though after it was done, I felt extremely proud and happy.

 

Do you have a training partner? No. I run with the Front Runners sometimes but I enjoy the time alone on the long runs. Maybe it’s because I spend all day with people at work and have a husband at home so it’s rare to have some alone time – and it’s kind of nice.

 

What time are you aiming for? If I get between 3.30 and 3.45, I’ll be very happy. So far I’ve been able to keep that pace on my long runs.

 

As the son of a preacher man from Alabama, how was it growing up? A lot like the movie Footloose. My father was very strict. He’s from Church of Christ – think Southern Baptist but with no music. He didn’t let us watch much TV or dance – I wasn’t even allowed to wear shorts that were above my knees.

 

And coming out? My mother was incredibly supportive – she came to my wedding. My Dad found out through someone else after I was married. He called me and asked if everything was true. It was really hard for him – he did a self-blame thing and I had to stop him and say ‘you didn’t do anything wrong – it’s not about you.’ He’ll never accept it and he’ll never understand but he’s at least gotten to the point where he’ll ask about my husband Derek.

 

How do Alabamans view gay people? When I was in college in Jacksonville, I was in the theater department so coming out was not so horrible. But outside of that bubble, it’s hard to be gay in Alabama. People would yell ‘fag’ at me when I was walking down the street.

 

But how would they know? I don’t know – it’s really strange. In Alabama there are absolutely no signs of homosexuality. So if you’re not wearing army fatigues and are dressed in clothes that fit and look nice, people yell at you and just assume you’re gay. But I’ve gotten to a point in my life where I really don’t care anymore about the attitudes in Alabama.

 

What made you join Front Runners? Derek and myself decided we were getting a little lazy with our married life. Derek started swimming but I’m not a good swimmer so I thought well I can run. With Front Runners, the social aspect was extremely appealing. I had missed having the club-like atmosphere I had in university.

 

What impact has the club had on your life? Huge. There are amazing people in Front Runners. I have a great job and husband – but I feel like this was the third piece of life I had been missing. My fitness has definitely improved too. I am probably in the best shape I’ve ever been in. If only I could lay off the cupcakes…

 

What’s your favorite route to run? I live on Capitol Hill so I enjoy running down the Mall – especially in the evening when all the monuments are lit up. I also love the Roosevelt Island route - there is something really nice about the quietness of being in the middle of the woods when you’re in a busy city.

 

And your least favorite? I absolutely despise Massachusetts Avenue. It bores me to tears to have to run straight up all the way to Ward Circle and then back down.

 

You work at the Kennedy Center. Any interesting celebrity stories to share? We’ve had some crazy things that performers have asked of us. For the band They Might Be Giants, we had to buy over $1,500 of different food items – specific bagels, breads, jellies, booze. And they ate maybe $50 of it all.

 

 

As a trained thespian, which actor do you most admire? Someone like Patrick Stewart. He’s amazingly good in classical Shakespearean roles but he also does funny, silly comedy stuff. To see someone so clearly talented able to relax and have fun with life is quite lovely.

 

What is your motto in life? Live every day as if it were your last. Jump at opportunities and take advantage of them.

 

Interview by Brian Beary, Design by Marcel Acosta

February 2011