Wayne Heilman

City: Colorado Springs State: CO

Favorite Shoe: Brooks Size: 9.5

Age: 61.8 years old

Marital Status: Married

Family members:
Donna Heilman, Katherine Bennett, Chris Heilman, Carrie Heilman

What I do for work:
I have been a business writer for the Colorado Springs Gazette since 1982.

Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:
Born in Chicago, lived briefly in Fort Wayne, Ind., grew up in Glen Ellyn, Ill., and lived briefly in Wilton, Conn., before attending and graduating from the University of Missouri at Columbia. I worked briefly for the Hartford Courant in Torrington, Conn., before moving to Columbus, Neb., for two years. I moved here in 1982 to work for The Gazette.

When I started running and what got me started:
I began training in early 2014 to run the American Discovery Trail Half Marathon (completed in 2:45.01) and have entered the 2015 Triple Crown (finished in 1:55.48).

What does running mean to me:
It helps build fitness and clear my mind after a long day at work.

Running accomplishments:
Completed American Discovery Trail Half Marathon on Sept. 1, 2014.
Completed Garden of the Gods 10-mile Run on June 14, 2015.

What I like about trail/mountain running:
The challenge of always improving my time.

Favorite running trail and why:
The incline because it inspired me to lose 55 pounds in 2012.

Favorite trail/mountain race and why:
I have always wanted to run the Pikes Peak Ascent.

Best running experience:
Running 10 miles the Garden of the Gods 10-mile race in 1:55.48 on June 14, 2015.

Worst running experience:
Ran Barr Trail when I was coming down with a stomach virus. I threw up and almost passed out afterwards.

Neatest thing found on a run:
I haven't found anything yet.

Running related bathroom stop story:
Never had this problem.

Running pet peeves:
Rude people on Barr Trail (there is no reason for it).

Something non running related that no one would guess about me:
I am the commissioner of a fantasy football league and a rotisserie baseball league.

Other hobbies and interests:
I sing in the First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir and have been in several musicals with First Company and the Colorado Springs Conservatory (Guys & Dolls, Oklahoma and Thoroughly Modern Millie).

Other stuff:
I hope to run the Ascent in less than 5 hours in August 2015.

Page last modified: 6/19/2015