Our Team

Here’s a snapshot of the FR&W team, how we work together and why we love what we do.

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Steve & Genevie

Store Owners

Steve:

Favorite places to run: Cascades and Chuckanuts for sure, but also running to explore a new place, big view or special wildness. I’m preparing for: Summer hiking and camping in the Cascades. Favorite workout: Long repeats on the Interurban (the Urb) Trail. Favorite shoe and sock: Hoka Speedgoat and Feetures socks. Great running memory: Chain Lakes Trail near Mt. Baker with Genevie and her dad, Gale.

Genevie:

Current shoe and socks: I just got a pair of Asics Nimbus-Lite and love them!! I’m also alternating between the Brooks Ghost and Hoka Bondi (I like to keep my feet guessing).  Favorite sport drink or fuel: Any fruit flavored  Gu right before a late afternoon run and Nuun hydration anytime. Typical workout routine: I’m really liking my 20 minute almost daily runs. I take a leisurely stroll around the block for my warmdown. Favorite person (s) to run with: Steve or my dad or myself. 😉 Favorite place to run: My favorite routes currently are around the marina and Pete Zuanich Park….and Lake Padden…and around the super cool neighborhood of Fairhaven.

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Craig

Store Manager

What I care about most when I go for a run: The “energy” of the run. To me a run usually produces exhilaration in some way. Maybe it’s the endorphins… but running has always been a fun, inspiring and invigorating experience for me.

Favorite Workout: 10 x 400 on the track

If I could only do only one run each month, it would be: Galbraith Mtn. loop w/ Rock n Roll trail

Typical run distance: 5 miles

What makes a run great: A nice easy pace to warm-up, then pushing the hills in the middle, and getting to a great view; finishing feeling elated and hungry and more energized than at the start of the run!

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Sierra

About me:
I started running at Acme Elementary School through Girls on the Run, and continued running in high school and college for Mount Baker and Western Washington University. Aside from running, I’m obsessed with cats and sweets, have caught the travel bug, and enjoy attempting new baking and cooking recipes.

Tips for being consistent: 
Make it a routine! I like to run at the same time almost every day. I’m typically out the door within 20 minutes of getting out of bed. It’s automatic, and my brain is still sleeping, so there’s no time to protest.
Accountability Buddy(s) I meet my friend Haida a few times a week, and that accountability helps us both get out there on the cold, rainy ” Can’t I just sleep in” days.
Challenge Yourself. Signing up for a race, setting a goal time, or scheduling a day of the week to run a tempo or interval workout switches things up and keeps me motivated.
Fuel: I’m fueled on super moist cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, Sour Patch Kids, and extra saucy thin crust pizza with crispy pepperonis and pineapple. During races I like the Strawberry Honey Stinger Chews, Mountain Berry Shot Blocks from Cliff, and Salted Caramel Gu.
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Josh

About Me: Originally from New Jersey I have come to realize that the Pacific northwest fits me best, and I have traded the pavement for the trails as my surface of choice. I’ve had a pretty extensive running history starting from when I was an 8th grader and I’ve been running ever since. I’ve completed 10 road marathons, including the Bellingham Bay, Chicago, and Boston, but what has become my favorite race is the Chuckanut 50k. Favorite Shoe: I’ve had to many to pick just one! But the standouts would be the Nike Pegasus, Salomon Sense Pro, and Hoka Speed Instinct. Why I Run: I find that it is while I’m running that I am the most creative and clear in thought. Running has been a great escape for me during some of my most stressful times. There’s nothing that can beat a couple hours in the trails to decompress and clear my mind!

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Maria

About me:
I was born and raised in Whatcom County, but the moderate climate, the lack of large, creepy bugs, and the ability to get to the ocean in just minutes are the things that keep me here.
Favorite place to run:
In the mountains. Bonus points if there’s an overlook.
Favorite shoe/sock:
Feetures Ultra Light and Mizuno Wave Inspires on the road.
Darn Tough and Saucony Peregrins on the trail.
Favorite fuel on the go:
Hummus in a whole wheat tortilla, strawberry lemonade Huma gel, pink lemonade Honey Stinger chews, and Smooth Caffeinator Picky Bars.
Why I run:
To remind myself “I can do hard things.”  Running is where I can disconnect from the busy pace of everyday life and gain clarity and perspective.
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Lydia

About Me:
I started running when I was eleven and haven’t stopped!
I am originally from Bend, Oregon, but always had dreams of moving to Bellingham and continuing my education at Western Washington University since both my parents attended Western Washington and I would travel Bellingham with them for Ski to Sea.

Favorite distance:
5-7 miles on the trail

Best part about running for me:
The people I meet! I love finding new running partners and the wonderful experiences I gain with them.

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Conner

About Me:
I was born and raised here in Bellingham! I grew up playing soccer, basketball, and started running when I was in the 8th grade at Fairhaven Middle School. I ran at Sehome High School for cross country and track and got lucky enough to continue my competitive career at Washington State University. Now I’m back home and looking forward to getting back out on the Bellingham trails and reconnecting with the running community that I grew up around!

Favorite Shoe:
I love the Brooks Ghost for my easy days on the interurban and around Lake Padden and the Brooks Caldera for when I head up into the Chuckanuts or Galbraith.

Favorite Run/Running Buddy: It’s so hard to have a favorite run in town with so many amazing trails, but I love running to Raptor Ridge as I have been doing that route since I was a freshman in High School and
it’s still the same quad burning experience every time. I also really enjoy running from Fairhaven towards Boulevard Park on the boardwalk with fellow staffer Dillon. If you see us out in the evenings, say “hi”.

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Maxx

Favorite Place to Run:
My favorite place to run is to run is Fields Spring State Park and the nearby dirt roads just outside of Anatone, WA!

Favorite Races to Run:
I love trail races that range in distance from 10K to 50K!

Favorite Shoe and Sock:
I really enjoy the Hoka One One SpeedGoat and a pair of Darn Tough socks.

The Key to My Excitement:
I love using my physiology and biomechanics background to help others achieve their health and running goals!

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Kaleb

About Me: I grew up in Galena, a small town in the heart of Alaska. I went to college and ran cross country and track for 3 years at the University of Alaska Anchorage before transferring to Western Washington! I love running in the Alaskan mountains in the summer and bagging peaks with my crazy friends. There is something special about going somewhere under your own power where few people have ever been before. If you want to make my day, ask me about my summers spent in Juneau 🙂
Favorite Race: 3000m Steeplechase or WWU 10K @ Lake Padden
Favorite Trail: Lake Padden, Willawaw Lakes (Anchorage), or the Coastal Trail (Anchorage)
My wise words: Have fun with it
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Haley

About me:
I have been running for most of my life. I am currently running for Bellingham Distance Project but I also competed for Western Washington University while I was studying there. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and spent most of my life in Washington but also have lived abroad. I have recently moved back to Bellingham, realizing how much I missed this area. I love running on any trail and really doing anything that gets me outside but getting on the track and doing some speedy workouts is also pretty fun!
Favorite Run Location: 
My favorite place to run is Galbraith! There are some incredible views and so many trials to run on up there. Everytime I go I can do something different and it is easy to get a nice long run in.
Favorite Shoe: 
The Brooks Launch is my favorite shoe for almost every run. I love how light and fast it feels. For a more technical trail the Hoka Torrent is great.
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Calahan

About Me: I was born and raised in the small town of Auburndale, Florida. I grew up playing soccer and was convinced by my grandfather to give track and field a chance my Freshman year of high school. By the end of my Sophomore year, I had gained a passion and appreciation for the sport—this led to my desire to run collegiate track and cross country. I competed for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL throughout my undergraduate career. After graduating with a Bachelors in Aerospace Physiology, I moved to Bellingham to pursue a Masters degree in Kinesiology—Exercise Science from Western Washington University.
Favorite Race Distances: The Indoor Mile and 3000m races.
Favorite Training Shoe: Nike Pegasus 37
Favorite Places to Run: Lake Padden and the Bayside Loop!
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Drew Weber

About Me:
Born in Portland, OR and raised in the suburbs of Vancouver, WA. Alumni of Fort Vancouver High School and enthusiastic shoe-nerd. Been running track since 4th grade, and the rest is history. Lucky enough to get the opportunity to continue my XC / TF career here in town at WWU, where I am currently studying urban planning! I quickly fell in love with our trails, and continue to find new appreciation for the NW corner of Washington state with each passing day.

Favorite Shoe:
For a daily trainer, the Asics GT-2000 has never failed me. I’ve also found past success with the Brooks Adrenaline GTS.

Favorite Race:
The mile, without a doubt. It’s fast but still allows for some tactics, and it’s not over in the blink of an eye like the 800. As a middle-distance guy, I prefer quicker stuff that is truly down to the wire.

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Lucas

About Me:
I grew up in Bellingham, running at Fairhaven Middle School and Sehome High School, where I fell in love with the sport over team dinners and long runs in the Chuckanuts. Now I run track and cross-country for Pomona College in Claremont, CA, where I’m studying Environmental Physics and Media Studies.
Favorite Race:
800m
Favorite Trail:
Raptor Ridge or anything else off the Interurban
Favorite Snack:
Honey Stingers and dried mangoes (nature’s Honey Stingers)
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Brian

About Me:
I grew up in Kent, Washington, where I found my calling for the sport during my first mile run in a middle school gym class fitness test. I was fortunate enough to compete for three years in high school after that, before having to pave my own little path in the sport, traveling to local track meets around the region with my girlfriend. Now, we’re bringing ourselves back to the root of why we loved the sport, which was to have fun and run fast(er), together!

Favorite Shoe:
Would have to be the Nike Pegasus line — it’s what I started with back in 2015, and it’s still my perfect shoe.

Favorite Place:
The Interurban Trail is my pick! Being closely surrounded in nature, but on a relatively flat and fast trail, makes for some fun and immersive workouts when the track or roads become stale.

Favorite Race:
I generally enjoy anything middle distance (400 meters to 5K), but I always gravitate back to anything from the 1500 meters to the Mile — it’s what got me into this sport and it’s what’s kept me in it since.

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Alex

About Me:
I was born a couple hours south of Bellingham, in Kirkland, WA. I transferred to WWU into the Kinesiology program after graduating from Bellevue College. Running through forest and mountain trails is truly an exhilarating experience. I’ve ran, climbed, hiked, and ski toured numerous times around Snoqualmie Pass. Silver Peak is definitely my favorite spot.

 

Favorite Shoe:
My favorite shoe has to be the Saucony Kinvara, weight, shape and feeling of the shoe is second to none. It fits like a glove and feels like clouds under my feet.

 

Favorite Place to Run:
Bridle Trails State Park in Kirkland holds a special place in my heart. Just under 500 acres of forested trails a quick walk from my family home and I’ve spent hours running, exploring, and foraging for mushrooms.

 

Favorite Race:
I love running the 400. Fighting your body for the last 100 meters to finish strong while trying to get that last kick and outrun the person right in front of you is electrifying.

 

Word Has It, We’re Pretty Great!

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