Pete | Christina | Lauren | Jody | Adam | Rumi
Kimberly | Ike | Greg | Alice | Chris | Jeff
Van 1: Pete, Christina, Lauren, Jody, Adam, and Rumi
Pete – Legs 1, 13, 25
I am 46 years old. I've been married to the better half, Barb for almost 22 years. I was born in Bellevue, WA, lived in California for about 20 years & moved back to the Evergreen State (home) in 1995. This is my 7th year with Portland/Vancouver Fit, and third as the Head Coach for the Red Group in Vancouver. I have completed six marathons. 2007 was my first Hood to Coast & in 2008 I was fortunate enough to be on a team with several of this years members. To me, the HTC is about having fun. In my van you will have fun & lots of laughs, which will make you feel good & if you feel good, you will run better which makes it even more fun which turns to feeling good, which...you get the idea. I have always tried to stay physically active at least when I'm not watching TV. I try to walk the dogs everyday, go running or to the gym. I no longer try to walk with my wife because she walks too fast. She is the head coach for the walking group in Portland/Vancouver Fit. I have been playing soccer since I was about 10 years old and will continue until the guys won't let me play anymore. I've tried to play basketball and softball & it just proved to me why I play soccer. I am currently working part time at Wells Fargo, but someday would like to work in the public service area (city, state or county job). My claim to fame is that for many years (and maybe still, who knows) I held the record at my junior high school for the "80 yard low hurdles". It was the first & last time any one on the track team had run that particular race.Christina – Legs 2, 14, 26
I am a 27 year old graduate student and competitive athlete. Currently I'm in the process of earning my Masters in Elementary Education, coaching high school softball and training for my next marathon. I was born an athlete with a love for competition and fitness. Primarily my time was spent on the softball field where I worked hard and earned an athletic scholarship to Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Upon graduation I knew I needed to find a way to fulfill my competitive nature and it didn't take long to discover the power of running. I began my obsession with running last year when my mother discovered Vancouver Fit. We had attended a healthy living expo and stumbled upon a booth promoting the half marathon, Race for Roses. The race was set for the following morning and both my mother and I were eager to take on the challenge. As we walked the course we could feel the positive energy and we were inspired by the runners who nearly ran us over. By the time we reached mile 13 our bodies were exhausted but something powerful happened. That race changed our lives and lead to our discovery of Vancouver Fit. Since then running has become a family event with the addition of my father. Now here we are, training for Hood to Coast with team 360 Goes 180.Lauren – Legs 3, 15, 27
Hello I am Lauren Monticelli. I am 33 yrs old, born and raised in Long Island, New York. Growing up I was a competitive athlete in several sports to include, soccer, softball, volleyball, and tennis. In 1998 I graduated from Springfield College in Massachusetts with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. I moved to North Carolina for my very first job as a new grad Physical Therapist and within five months of moving there I met my wonderful husband Adam who is in the USAF special operations (who by the way undersold himself in his bio).We were married in September of 2000 and are headed into our 9th year together (here Adam would chime in, feels like 50!) I had no idea what I was getting myself into. After the wedding we quickly moved to England for 4+ wonderful years as Adam received orders for a change of duty station. I continued to practice Physical Therapy in a private outpatient setting and was able to do extensive traveling seeing 15 countries in four short years. In 2004 we had our first child, our beautiful, sensitive 5 yr old daughter Paytn, and Adam left for 5 months to Afghanistan on one of many rotations. In December 2004 we returned to the states to Hurlburt field Florida where I continued practicing Physical Therapy in an acute care hospital part time.
It was in Florida that I once again began running. No fun in that heat let me tell you. My first 5 K post baby was over a bridge in a raging lightning storm over water and I loved every rain soaked electric minute of it. After about 1 ½ years in Florida after multiple evacuations and house repairs due to hurricanes we decided to move our family to the beautiful state of Washintgon to provide our children with more stability. In 2006 we had our second child, our sweet, empathetic, mischievous son Nathan. Who for those of you whom have met him he is a clone of his father.
My husband, my children, my family, running, and last but certainly not least, my job are the loves of my life.
I currently am an Associate Physical Therapist at 360 Physical Therapy with Ike. It is the most wonderful job in the world, not to mention the greatest boss (Ike you can pay me later). I started working with Ike in December 2008 and never looked back. In over 10 years of Physical Therapy practice in several states and two different countries, I have never worked with a Therapist who is so passionate, or practiced a technique which is as consistently successful as Strain Counter Strain. The relief I am able to give my patients is incredibly rewarding as a practitioner. I am passionate about Strain Counter Strain and hope to one day, not only open another practice with Ike, but also to become a Jones Strain Counter Strain Instructor.
It was Ike who introduced me to Vancouver Fit in April of 2008. He inspires me on so many levels both professionally and personally. He is consistently supportive of the difficulties a military spouse sometimes endures. He never wavers in his compassion and understanding. Ike also helped me to remember that I am more than a mother, a wife, and a Physical Therapist. I still have an athlete inside of me who just needed to realize she was still there. I have realized how important it is for me to take care of myself so I can better take care of those I love.
After a rough running season last year with multiple injuries all due to a leg length difference which for 33 years went undetected, I look forward to my second season of Vancouver Fit and Hood to Coast 2009. Hood to Coast was an amazing experience for me. I loved every stinky, sweaty, thirsty, minute of it. I even enjoyed all the fearsome stories of Pacific Northwest Yeti's courtesy of Pete. I am still pretty sure I encountered one on leg 20 last year (enjoy Ike).
I am so honored to be on the 360 goes 180 team again this year. Aside from the incredible fun of the team camaraderie and the sheer joy of the run itself, supporting our troops is very important to me. Especially since I am married to my own personal Air Force superhero.
Please remember throughout this experience to keep all of our men and women in uniform throughout the world, especially Chris and his family in your thoughts and prayers. And I will be saying extra special prayers for his wife and children.
I am so honored to be on a team with such a phenomenal group of men and women.
Here we come Hood to Coast 2009!
Jody – Legs 4, 16, 28
I am 30 years old, and have lived in Vancouver my whole life. I've been with my husband, Scott, for over 10 wonderful years, and during that time we've had 7 beautiful children together. I decided to take up running after Lauren (another HTC teammate) introduced me to Vancouver Fit last season. Almost instantly, I fell in love with the sport. I went from struggling to run even 3 miles, to successfully completing 2 half marathons. In July, I found out that I was pregnant with my 7th baby, so I decided to take a break from running, although I had crazy running dreams throughout my whole pregnancy, because I missed it so much. Running is just a part of who I am now! Now that Claire is here (baby #7), my running career is slowly getting back on track. This is my first year participating in HTC, and I am SO excited to be a part of this amazing team.Adam – Legs 5, 17, 29
I am 31 years old, married nine years to my wonderful wife Lauren, and we have two great children, Paytn who is 5 years old and Nathan who is 3 years old. I am in the United States Air Force and have been for 15 years. Although I was on the team last year and was scheduled to run, I was unable to because of a parachuting accident at work. I ran a 60 mile perimeter run while I was stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC in 2000 on a team with 4 guys where you ran the entire race together as a team. I ran the San Antonio marathon in 1998 and a few 5K-25K races. Due to several knee and back injuries while performing duties in the military, I have not run many other races. I enjoy skydiving, SCUBA diving, and riding motor cycles (all which I do while at work). When I am not deployed or on the road training I enjoy spending time with my family. My wife Lauren works with teammate Ike and is also on the team.Rumi – Legs 6, 18, 30
I am 41 years old and I am a stay at home wife and mother. I have been married to Jess for 16 years, we adopted two amazing boys from Korea, Jackson is 3 and Maxwell is 2. They are very active and enjoy riding in the stroller during my training runs as well as playing at the parks, zoo and OMSI.I was born in Okinawa, Japan, my mom is Japanese and my dad is American. My dad spent 20 years in the Air Force/Navy and worked for the Dept of Defense for another 20. So I am very excited to be on a HTC team that is celebrating our heroes in the military. I grew up in the mostly in Illinois and Michigan. Ike and I attended and graduated from Andrews University with Masters of Physical Therapy in 1992. Ike and I have been friends for over 20 years, not only because of PT but because we both played volleyball in college. I have been active all my life and enjoy team sports including indoor and beach volleyball, softball, and flag football. My husband and I love skiing, hiking and traveling. We want our boys to be active and share our love of sports.
I started running in 1998 to get in shape and lose some weight. Jess and I joined a training group at our health club in Louisville, KY. I had never run more than a mile in my life prior and since then I've run many 5k, 10k, ½ marathons and completed 3 marathons. In 2001, I trained with Team in Training and ran the Rock ‘N Roll Marathon in San Diego. In 2005 and 2008, I ran the Portland Marathon with Ike.
It is an honor to be on the 360 Goes 180 team again this year. I'm looking forward to training with such an incredible group of people and showing our troops the support and love they deserve.
Van 2 – Kimberly, Ike, Greg, Alice, Chris and Jeff
Kimberly – Legs 7, 19, 31
I am a 39 year old Vancouver, WA native! I enjoy skiing and running, of which I have completed three marathons, two half marathons and Portland to Coast once. This will be my third year running Hood to Coast and am very excited to be apart of such a great team. The mission of which we run, in support of our Armed Forces overseas is very near and dear to my heart. With many family members having served and those currently serving our country, I appreciate all they give to each of us in their dedication.I enjoy my volunteer work with the Boys Scouts, American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and the Mt Hood Ski Patrol.
Most precious to me are my boys, Taylor and Jared. At 16 and 13 I get the pleasure of looking UP to them. Their help with my training is a gift, whether they are on foot or riding bike, they are truly appreciated.
Ike – Legs 8, 20, 32
I was born and raised in San Diego, California to parents with US Military & Filipino heritage. My parents came to the United States from the Philippines in the late 1950s. My father served 22 years in the US Navy, with multiple tours in Vietnam. My parents being as patriotic as they are named me after the two US Generals they most admired: Dwight Eisenhower, the Supreme Allied Commander during WWII (hence my nickname "Ike") and Douglas McArthur (my middle name) who liberated the Philippines. I have always supported the Armed Forces and have the utmost respect for the men and women who serve to protect our way of life. That is why when this opportunity to have a "virtual" runner overseas' came up, I jumped on the idea.Greg – Legs 9, 21, 33
I'm 50 years old and am married to my lovely wife Trish, we have two children Christina and Mychal. I was born in Spokane, Washintgon and moved to Portland in 1970. My Dad served in the Army during World War ll and was in the First Attack Wave in the D-Day invasion on Omaha Beach. I appreciate the Men and Women of our Country who risk their lives every day so that the rest of us can live in peace. My day job consists of Financial Forensics, which involves me investigating people who have committed crimes involving money. I have been involved with sports of some kind most of my life. I started Coaching Boys Soccer, Girls Softball and Boys Lacrosse. The only problem with Coaching is that I ended up looking like a Coach and proceeded to get bigger and bigger. It finally dawned on me when my daughter told me that I had so many chins that she couldn't count them, that perhaps I should start working out. My wife and daughter last year did their best to get me to join Portland/Vancouver Fit and by the second week after it started, I decided to join. It turns out to be the best thing that I could have done for my body. I have proceeded to get down to one chin and I am loving life. Thanks to my family and Vancouver Fit I have run in Half Marathons and the Portland Marathon. My next Marathon is the Newport Marathon coming up in May. I'm very proud to be part of 360 goes 180 and can't wait until August to run the Hood to Coast. It was quite an honor to be asked to join the Coaching Staff of Portland/Vancouver Fit this year. My hope is to help inspire others to reach their goals. What's really been awesome about Vancouver Fit is meeting great people like Ike, Pete, Barb, Doug and of course Celia and a host of others that have inspired me to stay healthy.Alice – Legs 10, 22, 34
A Portland native, I've been an avid runner ever since I competed for Lincoln High School's cross country and track teams in the early 1980's. I was a member of Stanford University's track team my freshman year of college, until I was sidelined by injuries. I consistently placed in my age group in local road races throughout my 20's. Competitive highlights include a 3:06 marathon finish as a law school student. Beginning in my early 30's, I experienced recurring bouts of Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis, which caused me to limit my running for several years.In 2004, I began practicing ChiRunning®, a revolutionary technique which emphasizes improving posture, biomechanics, and body awareness to reduce risk of injury. I enjoyed such great success in overcoming my own injuries that in 2007, I trained personally with ChiRunning® founder Danny Dreyer to become a Certified ChiRunning® and ChiWalking® Instructor. As the owner of Running Mindfully, Inc., it is my privilege to offer group and individual ChiRunning® and ChiWalking® instruction throughout the Portland Metropolitan Area.
At 42, I am once again placing well in my age group in local road races. My 2009 race schedule includes the Lacamas Lake Half Marathon in July and the Girlfriends' Half Marathon in October. This will be my first Hood To Coast Relay in over 20 years! I competed in the event three times in the late 1980's on co-ed teams made up of teammates and friendly rivals from my high school years. Despite our youth, I recall that all of us were invariably stiff and sore for days after the relay.
I am offering Team 360 Goes 180 members a complimentary ChiRunning® workshop in late May. Since teammate Chris will be deploying to Iraq in the interim, he and I squeezed in a private workshop in mid-February. I will encourage my teammates to work on refining their running form as they train for the relay. My goal is that each of us will complete the event injury-free and with minimal soreness.
By the way, I married one of those friendly rivals I mentioned earlier. My husband Tom (Wilson High School '84) and I have been married for 15 years. We live in Northwest Portland with our two children, Celia (11) and Stuart (8). In addition to running, teaching, and spending time with my family, I volunteer weekly in my children's classrooms at Chapman Elementary School. Over the past three years, I have also spearheaded the reestablishment of a community vegetable garden at Chapman. In my spare time, I enjoy practicing yoga and meditation.
Chris – Legs 11, 23, 35
I was born in Portland, Oregon in 1972. My Father was a police officer and my Mom was studying to be a nurse. My parents split when I was four and my sister and I lived with my Mother from that point forward. My Mother married my step-Father when I was seven and they are still together. They had a son so I grew up with a brother and a sister. I was always in the top five percent of my class in academics. I was the team captain in most sports growing up, especially after seventh grade. I lived in many cities growing up through eighth grade but finally settled down in Hermiston, Oregon for eighth grade and my parents still live there to this day. I believe that is what really helped me and my siblings establish and build our leadership potential. My sister and I were key leaders in Campus Life (Christian Bible study in high school); I achieved my Eagle Scout at age 14, and was chosen for the Honor Society during these years. I was the captain of the football team, lettering three times; I lettered in baseball twice, basketball (1), and wrestling (1). I graduated with a 3.70 grade point average and had taken many college level courses my senior year to help prepare me for college.I went to Western Oregon State College for my undergrad and studied Criminal Justice, thinking I would join the CIA or FBI someday. I also played football there for two years. I joined ROTC for the Army in 1992 and decided to become an officer. I was selected as the Battalion Commander of the entire program my senior year (leading over 270 cadets) and I was ranked the top cadet in the State of Oregon and selected to represent the State of Oregon in Washintgon D.C. for a meeting with Toga West, the Secretary of Defense, in 1995. I graduated college with a 3.5 grade point average.
I attended flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama in 1995 and graduated in the top five percent of the class and was one of only seven officers in seventy-five to receive advanced training in the most elite aircraft in the world. I graduated from flight school and went to Fort Campbell, Kentucky top serve the 101st Air Assault Division as the Long Range Surveillance Detachment rotary-wing platoon leader. It was a very unique mission, with a very steep learning curve. I decided to assess for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment in 1998, as a first lieutenant, which was unheard of. I defied the odds and was selected to join the greatest aviation unit in the world and fly the best soldiers that God has ever created (Delta, Seals, and Rangers). I was trained to fly one of fifteen aircraft in the world and was responsible for the ownership of half of them for three years. My platoon was the first soldiers into Afghanistan after 9/11 and we received the Presidential Unit Citation for our actions against the Taliban in the first strikes a few weeks after the attacks in New York. This award had not been given to a soldier since Vietnam and in October of 2005, the President gave 78 of us this award for valor in combat.
I left the unit in 2003, in order to take a command in a foreign country. I chose Korea. My wife (Lori) and first child (Zachary, now five) also went with me. I completed my Master's degree in Public Administration from Murray State University, while in country. I only had one class left from my tour at Fort Campbell and I was able to take it through Troy State University's distant campus, located in Korea. We had a great tour as I was responsible for all airports along the DMZ, between North and South Korea. I flew with the Red Barons, the over-water unit that searches for submarines. After the tour, we came to Oregon to take a recruiting assignment, normal to combat veterans because they want you to tell the Army story to the public and it is believable if you have been there and got the T-shirt. I did that for a year and decided to join the Oregon Army National Guard as an active duty Guard Reserve, so still active, just in the Oregon Guard. I immediately took an executive officer position in an infantry battalion and then fifteen months later, a recruiting assignment in Salem, Oregon. I will head back to the infantry in about three months. Someday, as long as my injury hasn't prevented it, they will put me back in the cockpit for the local medical aviation unit but only time will tell with healing and rehabilitation.
To date, I have received the following military awards: four Army Achievement Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, one Air Medal, one Meritorious Service Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation. I have graduated from Airborne School, Air Assault School, Flight School, the Officer Basic Course, Officer Advanced Course, Command General Staff School, three Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) schools, joint operations course, Special Operations Training Course, Recruiting Commander course, Combatives hand-to-hand course, and multiple other week long training courses. In each of these courses, I always finished in the top five percent of the class.
My family consists of my wife, Lori (35), my oldest son Zachary (6), and my youngest son Noah (3). My extended family is very large on both sides.
Jeff – Legs 12, 24, 36
I was born in New York, but spent most of my childhood living at the Jersey shore. Upon graduation from High School, I joined the US Marine Corps as an infantryman serving 4 years. I planned on becoming a Marine Officer but my options were limited. I decided to pursue another route and joined the Army ROTC and would get commissioned in the Army. I graduated from Stockton State College in New Jersey with a BA in Criminal Justice/Pre-Law and was commissioned as planned. My civilian career took me to Las Vegas, Nevada, so I Joined the Nevada Army National Guard. I've held positions as Battalion Intelligence Officer, Armor Company Commander, Cavalry Troop Commander, Battalion Operations Officer, State Logistics Officer, and Battalion Commander. I am currently in my 28th year of service defending our Country, serving as Commander of the 140th Military Police Brigade Liaison Detachment and Deputy of Directors in Carson City, Nevada.In my spare time, as a runner and athlete, I have competed in numerous marathon-distance running events. My first marathon was at the age of 41. I took on the challenge of my first triathlon with Team in Training held at Pacific Grove, CA in September 2007.
My hobbies include running (of course), hiking, hunting, kayaking, traveling to warm tropical beaches, surfing, sport fishing and playing my guitar.
I am involved with my local running club, Tahoe Mountain Milers and Sagebrush Stompers Running Club, as a Race Director for the "Escape from Prison Hill Half Marathon and 2-person Relay", a trail Half Marathon and the RRCA Nevada State Half Marathon Championship event.
While attending the Road Runners Club of America convention in New Orleans in 2005, I met Celia Perkins, RRCA-Oregon State Representative and Vice President of the Oregon Road Runners Club and Program Organizer and Head Coach of Portland Fit and Vancouver Fit. After various marathons we both have participated in together over the past years and listening to her talk about the Hood to Coast Relay, I decided to come to Portland to participate in the event. She hooked me up with a running team in 2007 and I had an awesome time. I knew I wanted to join a team again but was deployed to Iraq in 2008. I shared my vision of this idea with Celia "running virtually" and she went to work, finding a team with which I could compete.
This will be my third Hood to Coast event. Last year I ran my three relay legs in Iraq, making this a first time ever event to happen with a team member participating via satellite phone. This year I will be bringing it in for the team on home soil!
I am typically an easygoing person, but at my core have a competitive spirit. In middle school, the competition bug bit when I discovered that BMX racing. My middle school to early high school years were spent racing BMX transitioning to freestyle BMX. The drive for excellence I developed in BMX drove me in my studies allowing me to pursue my career ambition of becoming a Physical Therapist. I I live by this saying - "Everything you touch – turn it to gold!" Whether it is playing my favorite sport of volleyball, to football, to competitive paintball (my team "Ground Fire" took 3rd place in the State of Michigan 1995), running, or skiing as a member of the Mount Hood Ski Patrol (Voted Associate Apprentice of the Year 2007 Honorable Mention), I like to do things well. I strive for excellence in all I do. Opening 360 Physical Therapy (http://www.360-pt.com) is an extension of this principle and a realization of my high school dream!
The "blades" in the 360 Physical Therapy's logo represents my fascination with flight & my belief system. They represent two things: propellers - to remind me of my quest to become a pilot and own my own plane AND my belief in the Trinity - God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
In my 5th year with Vancouver Fit, I currently serve as an assistant coach and medical advisor. I have run the Portland Marathon 4 times and have done multiple 1/2 ‘s and 5K's. This will be my third year running Hood to Coast and second as a sponsor of 360 goes 180, and first year as captain of 360 Goes 180.
The joys in my life are my two beautiful daughters – Elena age 12 and Ally age 10. There is nothing as precious as Ally nudging me in the middle of the movie "The Spirit of the Marathon" and saying "Daddy someday I am going to run a marathon WITH you!" AND traveling on destination runs with Elena watching her sprinting to various 5K finishes.
