Born: July 16, 1971

Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky

Marital Status: Married

Tour de Wig

One of the nicest people you will ever meet, Wig is also the "coolest"!  "Wig" (as his friends call him) has a remarkable history for such a short life.  At almost 36 years old (Happy Birthday - by the way!) Wig has been around the world in more ways than one!

On the surface he may appear to be just the local bike store owner (Wig's Wheels), but underneath those skin and bones you will find the heart of a true athlete and competitor.  Through recent interviews and candid moments, I have uncovered a man that is good at everything!  Unfortunately, there are not enough hours in the day to become great at everything.  Wig actually describes himself with the old adage, "Jack of all trades, but master of none."  Most of you know about Wig's cycling skills, but I have been first hand witness to his aquatic and diving prowess.  I recently spent an afternoon at a local swimming pool admiring the flips, twists, curls, dives, and acrobatic maneuvers that this "rubber band man" performed from a 10 foot high dive.  I have also been witness to an elementary summer school demonstration of bike and skateboard tricks.  And through this interview process, have learned about his athletic childhood.  Allow me to explain...

Wig grew up in the 80's during the time of the running craze.  He can recall the huge number of runners with permed hair, mustaches, and tube socks taking to the streets in the afternoons and weekends.   He took to running at a very early age but it was not until high school that he began to push himself for speed.  A talented baseball player, Wig was a pitcher for his high school team.  During this time, he also began to run on the high school cross country team.  Within one season, he was able to drop his 5K time from 24 minutes to 16 minutes!!!  This increased speed was enough to qualify him for state.  He was running fast enough now that he was even able to win a couple of meets. 

After graduating in 1989, Wig went off to college to play baseball.  The experience did not turn out like he had expected and was left wanting more.  He decided to join the Army.  During boot camp and PT tests, the Army began to find out the "capabilities" of this new recruit.  Wig quickly took on the role of a professional athlete as the Army would send him around the country to represent them in field events.  He began by representing his post in 5k and 10k running events.  Very soon, however, he was able to broaden his scope to triathlons and eventually... cycling!  He fell in love with cycling immediately and has carried that love to the present.

In the early 90's Wig was transferred to Ft. McClellan.  At first he was very resistant.  "I didn't want to come to Alabama."  He recalled.  "I thought, there is nothing there but heat and cotton fields!"    His predictions proved to be partially wrong and he immediately changed his tune.    After just a few days, Wig was enjoying the wonderful natural resources of our area and the runner/cyclist-friendly environment Ft. McClellan offered.  Soon his tour of duty was over and he chose to remain in the area.     We, the Anniston RunnersClub, are very glad the Tour de Wig stopped in Anniston!

Twenty questions

Being a bicycle shop owner, Wig is bombarded with questions on a daily basis.  What would 20 more hurt?

Can you tell us about you and your family?

I was born July 16, 1971 (that makes me 36 this year in case you started doing the math) and was raised in Louisville, KY (GO CARDS GO!!!) until joining the Army in 1990.  

Married to my first wife Keli (McKinney) on July 8, 1995 (somehow we’re still married and I give her all of the credit).  Our son Spencer was born February 4, 2003.   I discovered this area through my beloved Ft. McClellan.   I opened my shop in July of 2005.  I guess you could say July is my month!

How long have you been running?

 I think I ran to the nursery of the hospital when I was born!  I can’t put a time frame on that one because I grew up on a 10 acre piece of land with a creek that ran through it and it was pretty much mine and my brothers (I am the 2^nd of 3 brothers) big play ground and I don’t think we walked anywhere.

How/when did you learn of the Anniston Runners club?

 When I did the Woodstock for the first time in ’92 or ’93.  I was on Ft. McClellan’s running team (hoowah).

What was your first race?

The first one that I can remember was in Louisville with my dad when I was about 9 or 10. (Early 70’’s)! And this was a time when if you weren’t into disco you seemed to be into running and had permed hair.  Prior to the KY Derby every year there is a series of three runs called the Triple Crown.  The last race of this series was a half marathon.  My mom and brothers were walking with my dad to the starting line (because he doesn’t have rhythm these days he wasn’t the Disco type back then),  before we got there I told my dad on a whim that I thought that I might run with him.  He of course let me start with him not thinking that I would complete the whole thing.  Not only did I finish but I nearly beat him.  I think I walked the last 5 miles and that is where he got me.

What is your favorite race?

The Midnight Run in Louisville.  It was a 10k that started at midnight but it was more like a huge party.

Are there any races, records, or accomplishments that you are especially proud of?

My last PT test in the Army.  Some cocky Private had heard that I was a pretty fast runner and he started some chatter that eventually made it’s way back to me.  I really didn’t want to hear this as I wasn’t looking to try hard at anything on my last PT test.  I just wanted to do well, and sign out.  Then at the starting line of the 2 mile run this kid said something to the effect that he was going to wax me or something.  I of course did not say anything and waited patiently for the start.  When we did get started I ran that Private straight off of my shoulder and 11 minutes and 47 seconds later I was finishing and beat him by nearly 2 minutes.  That is the fastest I have ever ran in my life and I doubt that I will ever see that again.  I did of course later find that Private and told him that actions always speak louder than words.

It is obvious you like competition.  Here is a tough question:  Do you love to win or hate to lose?

Good winners must know how to lose.  Nobody likes a sore loser.  In my real competitive days, I would say I loved to win (even though I didn't win much).  I imagine everyone hates to lose, but losing motivates me to win.

What are your PR's?

Shamefully I don’t even know...

What is the longest distance you have ever run?

13.1 miles - A half marathon.  I did my 1st half marathon, at age twelve, in high tops and tube socks! 

How many marathons have you run?

Zero!

What other experiences have you had with road racing outside of running?

This year is the first time that I have been able to sponsor a race (Woodstock).  I am so excited that I was able to do it.

What is your favorite running music?

I’m an ‘80’s Rap and ‘90’s Grunge fan.

What is your favorite food?

Tuna Casserole and Mellow Mushroom Pizza

What is your favorite pre or post-race food?

Pre Race: coffee, pancakes and then I have this weird mixture of Hammer Nutrition products that I will not bore you with.  Post race - a couple of pints of Guiness or Old Dead Guy Ale and any type of pizza from the Mellow Mushroom.

If you could turn back the years, is there anything that you would like to change or do again?

I would have opened my bike shop about 5 years sooner.  It’s the best job I’ve ever had and I hate to even call it a job because I haven’t showed up for work yet.

Can you tell us something about yourself that people may not know?

I was a medic in the Army and actually worked in an emergency room where I worked on patients with every kind of trauma you could imagine.  I thought that I was going to end up being a PA but that didn’t work out something about a GPA or something.

Do you like to travel?

I love it.  When I joined the Army I told my recruiter very simply that I wanted a job in the Medical Field and that I wanted to go to Germany for my first assignment.  I got both.  Living in Germany was one of the best experiences in my life.  Me and a group of friends always tried to go somewhere different every weekend.  Many times that meant a different country.  I also got to take a mtn. biking trip to Alaska with my boy David Young which was incredible.

Do you have any hobbies other than running?

Chillin’ with my family and Bicycles pretty much sums it up.  I do still like to skateboard when I can.  I’m not much of a street skater but I love half pipes.

What is your daily regimen?

I start my day with lots of caffeine and usually don’t eat much until dinner.  Activity wise I try to ride my bike on Sat., Sun, and Wed..

What are some of your favorite running memories?

*Qualifying for the State Championships in High School after completing my first and only cross country season.  *Running a 11:47 2 mile.  *Getting invited to the Mason Dixon indoor track meet. ( I ran the 800 individual, 1600individual and 2 mile relay.  The track was wooden with banked curves and I felt like I was running with springs on my feet – it was awesome.)  *Screaming my head off in my last official PT running formation before I got out of the Army.  There is a lot more involved with that story.

What tomorrow brings

We bid farewell to our July spotlight runner with two final questions:

What are your future running goals?

My biggest goal is to get active running again.

Do you have any advice for beginning runners?

Keep it fun and if you ever start winning be a modest champion.  Nobody likes a cocky champion... unless you’re into boxing...

written by John Moore