Speed is impressive, particularly to those of us who don't have it.  That's why it's exciting to know ordinary runners with true speed.  We're privileged to bring to you our friend Reid.

But more than just for his speed, Reid is also high on our list as an educator, coach, family-focused, goal-oriented runner, blogger and all around uplifting guy. 

We know you'll enjoy meeting Reid.

Tell us about your quest to run your sub 5:00 mile?

It all started a year ago, almost exactly, I checked out a movie from the library, Without Limits, about Steve Prefontaine. I thought it was an amazing film, and I was in awe at Pre's dedication and desire to be the best he could be. After I watched it with my wife, Lani, we got to talking about what I am capable of as a runner. This was also shortly after Runner's World profiled Alan Webb and his recent American mile record. I wanted to see what I could do. I made a goal and set out to achieve it. However, an injury and then my Boston Marathon training forced me to postpone that goal. Since Boston, the 5-minute mile has been my focus. Through tons of speedwork, I have been able to cut my fastest time from 5:36 to 5:09 (faster than even my high school times), and I am feeling extremely confident that this Saturday will be the day I break through the barrier. I have received so much support from Lani and many of my blog readers, and I am so excited to have almost 50 bloggers (that I know of) participating in my Virtual Mile this week. I want to thank everyone for their support and encouragement in this and wish everyone good luck with their own mile goal.

You have a lot of other running goals listed on your profile.  What's next?

I was recently talking with Lani about my pursuit for a sub-5 mile. I told her I don't think I've ever trained for any race with as much focus and determination as I have with this mile. My next race is the Running from an Angel Marathon at Lake Mead, NV in January '09. I am seriously thinking, if I can train with this same amount of focus and dedication, I can break 3 hours. That's 9 minutes faster than my current PR, and 25 minutes faster than my last marathon. I know that's going to take a ton of work, but I've learned a lot about commitment and dedication this summer, and I believe I can do it.

Care to tell us about your coaching, your team, and how it rounds out your running?

I've always wanted to be a coach. I think that's one of the reasons I was drawn to the field of education (I'm a school psychologist). So, when I received an email last year from the local middle school looking for coaches, I jumped on the opportunity. I coached the cross country and track teams last year. Both teams were very small. Only 3 kids made it through the cross country season, and the track team wasn't even big enough to have a boys relay team. So, I was extremely surprised when about 16 kids showed up for cross country this year! It's been a lot of fun working with these kids and seeing them improve. But the coolest part is seeing them see their improvement! A couple boys in particular were bursting with pride after a recent practice when they realized how far they've come. That is one of the reasons I love running so much. If you just put forth a little effort, you can see yourself getting better every time you head out the door.

You're clearly devoted to your family.  How do you hold it all together?

As much as I love running, my family will always be my first priority. I've got a beautiful and extremely supportive wife, and two wonderful little girls. Any runner with a family knows how hard it is to fit in quality family time with quality training. I feel that the FIRST training programs were made specifically for me. Since I first read about the program in Runner's World a few years ago, I have only been running 3 days a week. This has been perfect because it has allowed me to spend that quality time with my family and not have running interfere. 

How did you develop your passion for running and fitness?

As a child, I loved playing soccer and football at recess and in the backyard. I was always pretty fast, but I really wanted to play football. My mom, however, had other ideas. Well, she was afraid I'd get hurt because I was a pretty small kid. I don't think I topped 100 pounds until high school. Looking back now, I am extremely grateful for my mom's refusal to let me play football because I may not have turned to running. I wanted to participate in sports, so as soon as I could, I joined the track team. That was an eye-opening experience. I always thought I was pretty fast, but I couldn't compete with these other kids. First, I tried the sprints, then the longer distances, but I just couldn't keep up. I finally found my niche with the hurdles, and stuck with that all through high school. At first, I wasn't very fast, but as the seasons passed, I consistently improved, and by my junior and senior year, I had become more competitive and even won some races. I learned that dedication and hard work definitely pay off. Sometimes it takes a while, but you WILL see the fruits of that effort. Since high school, I have taken that mindset with me in all my training.

What's the best part of running in Arizona?

The winter! The weather is perfect in the winter. I could probably count on one hand the number of times I wore long pants on a run last winter. Before last year, I had lived in Utah for the previous 7 years, and I do not miss the snow at all. I'd trade running in the snow for the heat any day.

Greatest running accomplishment?

I'm going to throw two accomplishments into one. In 2006, I was so excited to qualify for Boston at the St. George Marathon. It was such a cool feeling seeing the clock still under 3:10 as I crossed the finish line. Definitely the highlight of my running career at that point. Running Boston is in a class of it's own. I still get chills when I think of the amazing crowds, the killer hills, but especially turning onto Boylston Street to see the finish in the distance. I can't wait to do it again.

Any quirky running traits?

I love my headband. Is it gross that I am still wearing the same one I've had since my first year running cross country in high school?

Non-running and non-blogging interests?

My wife and I very rarely watch TV, but this summer while we were visiting family in Utah, Lani's brother got us hooked on the show 24. Many a night was spent staying up way too late watching it, often going to bed as the sun was coming up. We watched the first 2 seasons while we were there, and are now almost done with season 4. We were also introduced to The Office this summer. We have now seen every episode, and are eagerly anticipating the new season.

Running hero?

Steve Prefontaine. Big time. Before watching Without Limits a year ago, I never knew much about him. But since that time, he has been a major inspiration in my running. I love the fact that he didn't care as much about winning as much as he cared about the way he won. If he won without giving everything he had, he wasn't satisfied. He believed in effort and in doing the best HE could do. This attitude has inspired and motivated me to become better, to reach my potential, and to push a little harder. And not just in my running, but in other aspects of my life as well. Something I am still working on.

Greatest running moment?

I mentioned earlier that I ran the hurdles in school and started making a lot of progress in my junior year. In one particular race, I took the lead for the very first time. The race was the 300 meter hurdles. Coming around the curve, I started to pull ahead of my teammate (one of my best friends, who had always beaten me). I could hear my mom yelling "Go, Reid! Go!" Three hurdles to go, and my lead was growing. "Go, Reid!" Two hurdles to go. This was so strange. I had never won a race before, let alone be ahead of this teammate. On the second to last hurdle, I didn't manage to get my lead leg up high enough, and I crashed hard to the track. I don't know how long I was down, but a friend of mine said it looked like I just bounced right back up. I had to finish the race. I ran as hard as I could over the last hurdle and to the finish, to find out I still came in 2nd. Nose bleeding, knees and elbows scraped up, I learned an important lesson in never giving up.

Most embarrassing running moment?

Last fall when I was coaching cross country, the team and I were playing a game of tag at a park. I was teasing one of the kids who was chasing after me by running backwards. I was moving along until I tripped and landed hard on my butt. I don't know what I tripped over, but I got tagged, and had a sore rear for a while (and a lingering pain in my hamstring).

What's going on in your life outside of running?

I am a school psychologist in an elementary school district not far from home. I work mainly with kids in, and being referred for, special education. It is a challenging job, but it can also be a lot of fun.

I also work with the young men's organization at church. I am the secretary for the group, but also get to participate in their classes at church and in their activities during the week. It has been a cool experience getting to know the boys and helping them grow spiritually.

If money could buy you a running dream, what would it be?

I'd hate to have something handed to me. I'd rather do the work to make it happen. But, if someone were to give me the money, I'd love to sign up for a marathon with my wife.

Best running advice you've ever been given?

Run your own race. Don't worry about what other people are doing. Stick to your game plan and you'll do great.

Best running advice you'd like to share?

I am all about goals. I like to have a goal in mind every time I head out the door, whether it be a long term goal like a 5 minute mile, or a specific goal for that run such as negative splits. If you are committed to reaching your goal, you'll do what it takes to get there. Believe you can do it, no matter how impossible it may seem. See yourself doing it. That is when you'll see progress. And that is when running is really fun.