Question 1: Tell us a little about your track background in HS and college?

I began running as a freshman at Staten Island Tech.  Running was not easy for me, but I enjoyed the idea of a sport where success was dependent on how hard you worked.  My results were average - 9:30 for 1.5 miles at Clove Lakes, 5:30 for one mile, 11:57 for two miles. I improved during my sophomore year, achieving bests of 4:59 and 10:48.  I was by no means a star, but I began to see the rewards of my work.  After a strong summer of training, I made great strides during cross country in my junior year, dropping over 3 minutes off my 5k and running 17:06 at Clove Lakes. In track, I missed most of indoors with a knee injury, but improved to 9:57 in the  two mile outdoors and qualified for the state meet.  I built on this during my senior year, running 16:47 at Clove Lakes, 16:48 at Van Cortlandt, 4:33 for the mile, and 9:33 for two miles.  I also won city championships at two miles, both indoor and outdoor.  I owe a great deal to my coaches - Willie Cicoria and Bruce LaFeir, who believed in me when I didn't and instilled a lifelong passion for running.  I was also blessed to have many great teammates who remain friends to this day.  In college, I enjoyed moderate success.  I ran 25:47 for 5 miles at Van Cortlandt, 14:41 for 5k and 30:52 for 10k.  Unfortunately, my collegiate career was cut short due to a string of injuries, and I did not race much during my junior and senior years.  I cannot stress enough the importance of not overtraining.  On the positive side, my experience in college left me motivated to continue running competitively after graduation.
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Question 2: You have run a few marathons and have a PR of 2:24 how have they gone?

My marathon experience consists of NYC three times - in 2008, 2009, and 2010.  In 2008, my first marathon, I ran 2:27:01, beating my goal of 2:30. I didn't know much about the event and in many ways it was an accomplishment just to finish. In 2009, I had high hopes and strong training. Unfortunately, I was struck with gastrointestinal issues on race day (i.e., I had to poop). I stopped twice for bathrooms, at about 10 and 14 miles.  I considered dropping out, but stuck with it because I had put so much into training and many friends and family were there to watch. Somehow I only lost 3 minutes and finished in 2:28:57. The stops cost me a PR, but gave me an invaluable lesson on coping with adversity. In 2010, I had my best training yet. The race went perfectly. I went out around 5:30 pace and held steady running 1:11:53 for my first half and 1:12:08 for the second, and set a PR of 2:24:05. I ran much of the race alone and passed competitors throughout the race, eventually finishing 22nd overall and the 6th American - far above my expectations.
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Question 3: When did you realize that you were a marathon runner and not just a distance runner?

 I've always known that the longer the event, the better I do.  I ran the longest event available at every level.  So once I moved to road racing, the marathon was a natural progression.  It's an arbitrary distance, but it's the standard against which distance running success is measured.
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Question 4: Tell us about your goals and game plan for the Dec. California International Marathon?

My goal at CIM is to run sub-2:19 and qualify for the Olympic Trials. It is an ambitious goal, but I believe it is in the realm of possibility. CIM is fast course and I anticipate good competition. That said, I would not be disappointed with a PR. My plan is to go out around goal pace (5:18 per mile) and adjust based on the competition, conditions, and how I'm feeling. I hope to close strong.
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Question 5: The two greatest names in Staten Island Mens Marathon history over the last 40 years are Frank McConville and Art Hall. Art recently passed away. What do you know about these guys?

Aside from their records, I don't know a whole lot. I've never met either, but everyone I talk to speaks very highly of both. Staten Island has a rich running history and a great running community. We need to make a conscious effort to keep the past alive.
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Question 6: Why do you along with many other top Staten Island runners elect to compete for off Island clubs?

I run for the Greater New York Racing Team, coached by Bob Glover. I've been a part of the team since graduating from college. Like many post-collegiate runners, I wanted to maintain the quality training, comaraderie, and team structure I had enjoyed my whole career. When I returned to NY, I had no set plan. Several of my college teammates, including Dan Treglia, ran for GNY and suggested I join. Bob is one of the best-known coaches in the area. Once I saw his commitment and got to meet the rest of the team, I was hooked. For me, it's all about having a structure for quality training and the opportunity to run with people I enjoy being around.
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Question 7: What can be done to improve the Island club system so that more runners stay with the Staten Island teams?

The Staten Island clubs need to do a better job of publicizing themselves and recruiting runners. I know virtually nothing about any of them (with the exception of SIAC's weekly fun runs, which are great). The most important attribute a club can offer is regularly scheduled group workouts. But the workouts also must be assessible - many post-collegians work in the city, so it can be difficult to commute in time to make workouts.  And since the clubs tend to skew older, they need to actively dispel this image among younger runners, who might easily feel out of place.
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Question 8: How will the Ocean Breeze Indoor Track & Field facility help you and your running?

I've been looking forward to the SI indoor track since 1999, when I was a freshman in high school. At that time, it was thought that the facility would be operational before I graduated.  As you can imagine, I'm thrilled to see it come to fruition. I anticipate using it for workouts during the winter, or when the weather is poor. I also hope that open races will be scheduled with regularity. I haven't run a track race in a while and I have some PR's I'd like to improve upon.
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Question 9: Where do you work? Are you married? Give us some personal information on yourself.

I am an analyst at the City's Office of Management and Budget, where I am responsible for overseeing the City's public assistance, employment, and social service budgets.  I have worked at OMB for 4 years, meaning my tenure has coincided with the worst recession since the Great Depression.  This makes my job both challenging and exciting.  The goal is always to preserve services while trimming costs.  I am not married, though I am fortunate to have a girlfriend who shares my passion for running.  In my free time, I am an avid fan of sports and comedy.  I also enjoy studying economics, statistics, computer science, and reading about science in general.
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Question 10: What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? 10?

I hope that I am still running competitively.  Distance runners often don't peak until their mid- to late-30's, so I have time to reach my full potential.  But even I wasn't competing, I would still run - I enjoy it in and of itself.  In my career, I hope to be in a position to positively impact people's lives.  It is also important to me to stay close with my family and friends, and hopefully start a family of my own.