Philly Achilles

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David N. April

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Name: David N. April

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Where do you currently live?
Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia

How long have you been involved with Philly Achilles?
February, 2013

How did you find out about Philly Achilles?
From a friend, Elizabeth Coleman.

When did running become a part of your life?
Started running in 2007 at age 42.

What do you gain from running?
I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and the social interaction, whether running with a group or with another person.

What is your favorite distance to run?
10 miles

What is your most significant accomplishment to date?
3 marathons in 7 weeks

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
Achilles athletes

What quality best describes your personality?
I’m a people person and enjoy social interaction and connecting people with others.

What do you do for fun or a hobby in your free time?
I enjoy history, giving tours at a local brewery, and DJing. I also enjoy leading my own running club. *Editor’s Note: David is a co-founder of one of Philadelphia’s biggest and most successful running clubs, The Fishtown Beer Runners http://fishtownbeerrunners.com/

Do you have a favorite quote?
“The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”– William Faulkner

What strength do you bring to the Philly Achilles chapter?
Using my people skills to promote Achilles, raise awareness, and organizing fundraising events.

What motivates you to keep coming back to the chapter workouts?
I enjoy the athletes and other volunteers and knowing that I’m helping someone.

If you were speaking to a prospective volunteer or athlete and could only convey one thing about Philadelphia Achilles what would it be?
You will get more out of volunteering than what you put in. And to be prepared to make new friends, to be inspired, motivated, and challenged.

Greg Garber

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Name: Greg Garber

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Where do you currently live?
Wynnewood, PA

How long have you been involved with Philly Achilles?
Since 2013

How did you find out about Philly Achilles?
Maddy (our daughter who is blind) and I were running on Kelly Drive to get to Maddy’s regatta as we couldn’t find a parking space. Dave Redash an Achilles volunteer was riding his bike and did a double take when he saw me running with Maddy with a tether. He stopped us and told us about Achilles and we exchanged contact info. The next weekend Maddy and I had our first run with Achilles and haven’t looked back! We have since brought my wife Missy and our younger daughter Molly into the Achilles family with us.

When did running become a part of your life?
5 years ago Maddy and I began running with another Philly organization Back on My Feet. Since then Maddy and I have run many races together and she has been on her High School Cross Country, Winter Track and Crew Teams all four years. (Lower Merion High School)

What do you gain from running?
I love being outside and running with anyone who wants a guide. Running is a freeing experience that we all share and look forward to our Saturday runs and the great companionship they bring.

What is your favorite distance to run?
10k

What is your most significant accomplishment to date?
Managing to keep up with my 18 year old daughter.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
My wife an step daughters who always inspire me and make me want to be a better person.

What quality best describes your personality?
Gregarious, pain in the ass.

What do you do for fun or a hobby in your free time?
Ski, run, read, annoy my family.

What strength do you bring to the Philly Achilles chapter?
They strengthen me. I am humbled by the dedication, determination and kindness of our Philly Achilles members.

What motivates you to keep coming back to the chapter workouts?
It’s the high point of my week. The best group of people I have ever met.

If you were speaking to a prospective volunteer or athlete and could only convey one thing about Philadelphia Achilles what would it be?
It will change your life. It’s fun, challenging, inclusive, funny, welcoming and so much more.

Kara Quick

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Name: Kara Quick

Achilles (33 of 53)

Where do you currently live?
West Chester, PA
How long have you been involved with Philly Achilles?
Since January 2014
How did you find out about Philly Achilles?
I had seen Achilles in the Philly Rock ‘N’ Roll half marathon in Sept 2013, guiding a visually impaired runner (whom I now know as Kinzey Lynch). I was so impressed by his ability and by the guides’ support as they encouraged him through the last quarter-mile with a cramped calf muscle. Two months later, after the New York marathon, I read a poignant article about a blind runner named Amelia, written by the runner who guided her during that race. I shared the story on Facebook, with a comment that it was something I would love to be a part of. When I read the post the following day, it occurred to me that I should do something about becoming involved, and I started researching nearby chapters. I was living in NJ at the time, and they didn’t have an active local chapter, so I sent for information from the Philadelphia chapter in December, and started running with the group in January.
When did running become a part of your life?
I began running in the Spring of 2009. I did my first road race that fall (the Philly Distance Run half marathon), and was hooked.
What do you gain from running?
The list is long but the standouts are confidence, clarity, resilience, humility, discipline, fitness…and just plain happiness in the enjoyment of the outdoors.
What is your favorite distance to run?
Half marathon, though I can see that being replaced by the marathon…
What is your most significant accomplishment to date?
Training for and completing my first Boston Marathon (2015). 
 
Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
The core of my inspiration comes from my long-standing participation in the MS150 City to Shore bike event. I know several people with MS, at various stages of the disease, and have met many more through this yearly event. Not a day goes by, training or otherwise, where I do not consciously appreciate my physical health and abilities. I call on this appreciation often when training or racing is difficult.
 
What quality best describes your personality?
Friendly but a bit reserved until you know me well.
What do you do for a hobby or fun in your free time?
Aside from running? Hiking, biking, or any other outdoor activity. I love going fishing. And eating ice cream.
 
Do you have a favorite quote?
“If, while sitting in the darkness, you changed your mind and decided you wanted to sit in the light, would your first few steps be in the darkness or the light?” -TUT
It reminds me that stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risks is worth it, even if it might seem daunting at the time.
 
What strength do you bring to the Philly Achilles chapter?
Encouraging selflessness, as a reminder that our training and race events are for the main purpose of providing the athletes with the best level of support that we can, while balancing that with separate personal goals.
What motivates you to keep coming back to the chapter workouts?
What got me there first was the prospect of helping others experience the joy of a sport that I love so much. What keeps me coming back is the friendships I’ve developed with both the athletes and volunteers. I love seeing their successes.
If you were speaking to a prospective volunteer or athlete and could only convey one thing about Philadelphia Achilles what would it be?
Philly Achilles provides a fantastic support network for the athletes and volunteers alike, and makes me appreciate running from a very different perspective. We all inspire one another in different ways.

Yoshiko Jo

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Name: Yoshiko Jo

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Where do you currently live? Swarthmore, PA

How long have you been involved with Philly Achilles? Two months after it launched in 2012

How did you find out about Philly Achilles?  News letter from Achilles International.  I’ve been their volunteer close to 20 years.

When did running become a part of your life?  From college.

What do you gain from running?  Friendship and freedom.

What is your favorite distance to run?  5km and 100 miles.

What is your most significant accomplishment to date?  Chosen to run Badwater 135,  2015.  11th consecutive Boston finish on April 20, 2015.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?  Nature.

What quality best describes your personality?  Cheerful.

What do you do for fun or a hobby in your free time?  Reading books and baking/cooking.

Do you have a favorite quote?  “The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine” by Mike Murdock

What strength do you bring to the Philly Achilles chapter?  International connection.

What motivates you to keep coming back to the chapter workouts?  Friendship.

If you were speaking to a prospective volunteer or athlete and could only convey one thing about Philadelphia Achilles what would it be?

Fun.

Zach Reese

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Name
Zach Reese

Where do you currently live?
Center City, Philadelphia

How long have you been involved with Achilles Philadelphia?
Since October 2014

How did you find out about Achilles International?
Through Claire Sokas, a classmate of mine

When did running become a part of your life?
I’m a triplet, and my siblings have always been very athletically gifted. In high school, my brother was an all-state wrestler, and my sister was an all-state field hockey player. I was never very good at sports, so I picked up running. It’s a sport that doesn’t need any equipment, or playing field, or any inherent ability. You just have to be able to work hard. I haven’t looked back since.

What do you gain from running?
A break from work, and a chance to have long conversations with friends.

What is your favorite distance to run?
10k

What is your most significant accomplishment to date?
Finishing a marathon

Who/what is your biggest inspiration?
My parents. I still don’t know how they raised triplets.

What quality best describes your personality?
My ability to laugh at just about anything.

What do you do for fun or a hobby in your spare time besides running?
I love watching movies.

Do you have a favorite quote?
“Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”

What motivates you to keep coming back to the chapter workouts?
The people. Everyone is so friendly, and we all always have such a good time on our weekly runs.

If you were speaking to a prospective volunteer or athlete and could only convey one thing about Achilles Philadelphia what would it be?
I can’t think of a better reason to wake up at 8am on a Saturday morning!

 

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Saturday Workouts

Philly Achilles meets at 9AM every Saturday at 1601 Chestnut Street.

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