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Name: Dennis Dunn Born: November 15, 1955 Hometown: Anniston, Al. Marital Status: Married
The Heart of a Lion
Dennis Dunn is one of the most enthusiastic and charismatic people you will ever meet. This energy is evident not only in his running, but to a greater extent - in the way he lives. Dennis has dedicated a huge majority of his life giving back to the community through his work with the Lions Club International. Lions are an international network of 1.3 million men and women in 200 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. They are known for their work in ending preventable blindness and for the vast variety of projects important to their communities. In 1925, Helen Keller challenged Lions to become "Knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness" during the association's international convention. Today, Lions are recognized worldwide for their service to the blind and visually impaired. This service, is what drives Dennis in his work with his local Lions chapter. Through Dennis' leadership and efforts, the Anniston Lions 5K Run for Sight has helped to raise over $35,000 for our local sight programs. This month's spotlight turns its focus on another true champion - a champion of the heart - Dennis Dunn.
Twenty questions Dennis anyone? Read carefully as our April spotlight runner returns a few serves of his own... Tell us about your family. I will be married to Debbie for 28 years in May. We have two beautiful daughters, Brittany (18) and Candace (23). We are proud of both of them. We also have a son-in- law (Candace's husband) Kendall Taylor - a very good runner.
Where were you born? I was born in Phenix City, AL, and lived there most of my life until 1997 when we moved to Anniston.
Where do you work and what is involved with your job? I am the circulation director at the Anniston Star. I supervise all packaging responsibilities for all Consolidated Publishing products and have marketing and distribution responsibilities for the Anniston Star, the Cleburne News, the Piedmont Journal and LongLeaf Magazine. I also deal with service issues and enjoy helping resolve issues. Yes, I love my job and the people I work with- it is the best!
Where did you go to school? I graduated Central High of Phenix City(1974), attended LSU and graduated Auburn University (1978).
Did you play sports growing up? I played some baseball and basketball, but not at the high school level. I was into music and played saxophone in high school and marched in the LSU Golden Band from Tigerland. I continued to play in the Auburn University concert and basketball pep bands.
When, and why, did you start running? I have been in the Lions Clubs of Phenix City (14 years) and of Anniston for (9 1/2 years). In 1999, we needed a fund raiser to raise money for our local sight program that purchases glasses for those who could not afford them. Kyle Medders and I met some Lions who used a 5K run as a fund raiser. I located Daley Speer who asked me to come to a meeting to discuss our club sponsoring a run at Anniston High School on Saturday morning. Daley told me "we meet while we run"- I made it to the end of Woodstock and Rocky Hollow before I had to "excuse myself from the meeting". I kept coming back until the Anniston Lions Run For Sight was born and I could complete a 5K. I ran sporadically until I turned 50. I decided to commit to being healthy and found a consistent group of people that began with Kyle Medders, Ed Turner, Phillip Burgett, Matt Camp and Mercy Pilkington (the taskmaster) who met every Tuesday and Thursday at the YMCA. The group grew with Brooke Nelson's help and suddenly we had as many as eighteen people running- I have become a better runner because of these people.
How did you learn of the Anniston Runners club? Through Daley Speer I met everyone at the Saturday morning runs and then I started going to several of the area runs.
How long have you been a member? Seven years
Outside of running, what other experiences have you had with road races? Along Kyle Medders, Ed Turner, Jennifer Swafford and the Anniston Lions Club, I have had the pleasure of co-coordinating the "Run for Sight" since 1999. I have been the race director four of our first eight years. On May 12, we will celebrate our ninth year and over $35,000 has been raised for our local sight program, Alabama Lions Sight Conservation and Camp Seale Harris (a diabetic youth camp). Thank you Anniston Runners for coming back year after year making our mistakes smaller ones than they seemed at the time and helping others by being healthy and supporting our sponsors.
What was your first race? I know you might think it was the "Run for Sight" but it was Woodstock and I made the mistake of running through the fire truck water spray at the end. It was not a pretty sight as I tried to avoid my Anniston Lions Club members congratulating me and find a quiet place to be sick.
Do you have a favorite race or run? Anniston Lions Club Run For Sight for the good it provides the community. I have run the Woodstock 5K and the Healthy Kids 5K the most times.
Do you participate in any other sport? I have given up bowling (180 average) and softball to focus on running.
Are there any races, records or accomplishments that you are especially proud of? I am most proud of completing my first half marathon at the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham this February in 2 hours and 14 minutes.
What are some of your favorite
running memories? There are three: the energy
of the other runners and crowds at the Mercedes Marathon carried me the
first four miles. I realized I could make it if the first four miles were
that easy. The bands, drums and crowds made it fun to be there. The next was
at the Woodstock last year seeing Yo Setser challenging me to sprint to the
finish line- she is amazing and it seemed her legs got six inches longer
during that sprint. The third was running my first 10K last year at the
Alabama Striders in Weaver. I wanted to stop every step of the way and Nancy
Grace took me the last two miles with encouraging words that would not let
me quit.
I understand you are a musician. What instrument(s) do you play and how did you get started? I play the alto saxophone in the Parker Memorial Baptist Church Wind Ensemble. I started playing in junior high through high school. Then I played in college at LSU and Auburn. When my older daughter, Candace wanted to play tenor saxophone and compete in All State competitions, I picked it back up and began playing in the Wind Ensemble with Candace at church. Candace's husband, Kendall is also a saxophone player ( and a very good runner). During Christmas last year we played a saxophone trio at church. I am still playing the same saxophone I started with 38 years ago.
What are your PR times for 1 mile, 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon? 1 mile 8:25, 5K 26:57, 10K 58:33 and Half Marathon 2:14:29
How many marathons, if any? Not yet, but if I stay healthy I will attempt it at Mercedes Marathon next year.
What is the longest distance you have ever run? Although some of our training runs went up to nine and ten miles, the Mercedes Half Marathon is the only time I have ever run 13.1 miles.
What are your hobbies aside from running? My wife Debbie, my daughters, my job, the Anniston Lions Club and the Parker Memorial Baptist Church wind ensemble are my other loves and interests.
Are you competitive? Of course- everyone is to some degree. I am competitive with my expectations and prior accomplishments. I like to be perfect in my job and in music. I realize where I am to other runners and myself. I try to improve my times and close the gap on other runners.
Favorite music to listen to as you run or otherwise? I love all "good" music. But to run with I want some good Prince, MJ, Bell Biv Defoe, Brooks and Dunn, Garth, 70's 80' s rock - something with some drive in it. I love jazz and classical music during slower more relaxing times.
Favorite movie? "It's A Wonderful Life"- such a great message. Favorite food? Any home cooked vegetables- turnips, collards, peas, or potatoes.
Favorite pre or post race food? Honey before the race and a banana after the race - just remember to chew the banana before you swallow or have Brooke Nelson nearby - oops that is another story.
Do you like to travel? Where are your favorite travel destinations? Yes- We have enjoyed trips to New York City, Dauphin Island, AL and Key West- all were great vacations.
What is your typical weekly training regimen? Run three times a week: Tuesday is a longer run normally six-eight miles, Thursday is five to six miles unless there is a race on Saturday- the course is usually the YMCA run up Montvue with the 15th Street death march to take anything we have left away. If there is a race Saturday, we skip the 15th Street death march. The Saturday run is either a race, the Woodstock course or the Lions McClellan course (starts at Miller Gym).
Were you ever in the military? No, but I think we cannot say thank you enough to these young men and women who defend our country. I admire them so much!
What would you do if you won a 10 million dollar lottery? I love my job too much to quit now (may be retire sooner in a few years), but I would allow my wife to retire now or do volunteer work (she is a registered nurse). I would buy a vacation home or travel more with the money and help my daughters get started in a career.
What are your future running goals? I would like to improve my time on every race from the previous year. I would like to run a 5K under 26:00, a 10K under 54:00 and a half marathon under 2:06 and to finish a marathon over the next twelve months. Stay healthy and keep running!
Do you have any advice for beginning runners? Maintain a consistent training schedule- do not run too often and too long. Do not miss a run day- you pay for every step you miss. Do not feel you have to beat everyone the first time out. Find runners who are close to you in speed and learn to pace yourself to have consistently better runs. Have better split times and improve every mile. Learn how to run hills- it is a time where you can improve your position in a race.
written/edited by John Moore |
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