Member Profile of the Week - Andy "Snowshoe_hare" Grosvenor, the BRS's New Admin VP

Andy Grosvenor, a.k.a., Snowshoe_hare, is 32 and has lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the past 6 years.  He’s originally from Crystal Falls, Michigan, “ in da U.P. eh?!”  He is married to Stephanie and they have a young child.

Andy has attended Northern Michigan University where he earned a B.S. in Biology/Ecology and a Secondary Education Teaching Certification.  “My vocation,” Andy admits, “is in human adult development and virtue training (read:  full-time parent ;o).  My wife works enough for both of us, so I hold down “da fort” at home.  [Which I have a whole new respect for my mother - WOW to say the very least!]  Previously, I taught middle schoolers for three years, and I have had an array of jobs from deckhand to carpenter to hair salon receptionist to custodian to sheet-metal technician to AmeriCorps volunteer..."

Andy is very much about family.  He says, “My two other favorite hobbies are watching my daughter sleep and watching her run (or running with her).  I also totally dig:  fishing (wet-water and hard water; read:  ice-fishing), snowshoeing, backpacking, board games, organic gardening, and pretty much anything with my family.”

Andy has been running for the past 10 years and is also a member of the Grand Rapids Running Club, Grand Rapids Marathon.  He describes his most memorable running experience “I was the first overall finisher at the 2008 Resolution Run in Gladstone, Michigan, a small race of about 60 yoopers (mostly ;o).  I led the whole race and even was told to turn the wrong way (adding 0.3 miles) by a volunteer.  THE BEST PART = I felt that FEAR that I’ve read and heard elite runners talk about.  After turning the wrong way, I had to pass about a dozen people to regain the lead.  Once I got it back, I felt it.  I didn’t want to be caught.”

He enjoys racing the longer distances of a marathon or more and has a PR of 3:26:27 in the marathon and 10:20:06 in the 50-miler.  He also has a PR of 5:25 in the mile, 18:53 in the 5K, 44:14 in the 10K, and 1:34:57 in the half marathon, so he is not a slow runner by any means.  He would like to make a try at a 100-miler as well and keep running for as long as he can.  “I’d like to stay healthy and be able to run into my 80s or 90s, then MAYBE I’ll take up golf…as long as I’m not too feeble to throw the club into the woods, eh?!?!?”

Although he prefers longer distances, he says his favorite race is the Bigfoot Boogie 5K Snowshoe Race because it takes place in winter, and you race in snowshoes.

He adds, “My wife is a big time runner too.  She is actually better than I am when figuring age and gender into the mix.  So, we have to balance our training schedules and family life.  Our daughter has spent numerous miles in the jogger stroller.  Now she wants to get out and run too!"

Andy shares, “I like to run for a reason.  I admit that sometimes (maybe too many times) my reason is selfish.  I do try to also run for reasons outside myself, e.g. charities, fundraisers, etc.  I am inspired by those who run for reasons outside themselves.  Runner’s World did a nice write-up on RUNNING NUNS -- RW Healthy Habits.  Here's there website:  Running Nuns Website.  I, definitely, want to do their race someday."

What brought him to running barefoot was seeing Jason Robillard at a trail run organized for Scott Jurek when he came to Grand Rapids.  “I thought, “Dude!”  I was busy getting my daughter ready for the run, so I didn’t get a chance to talk to Jason then... [My daughter was in the lead for the first 50 meters!  I couldn’t catch her as she weaved through all the legs.  I think Scott almost stepped on her!  ;o]  Then I saw Jason’s first barefoot clinic advertised in the Grand Rapids Marathon Newsletter.  I thought, “hhhhmmmm... what the heck.”  I’m a life-long learner you see, so even if I could squeeze a little out of barefoot running to improve myself then it would be worth it.  Well, I attended the clinic, and let’s just say I jumped in with both feet, BARE!”

Andy and his family had an adventurous outing to the Grand Canyons.  He explains, “My wife and I took our daughter on a slow run/power hike on a very technical trail in the Grand Canyon.  A few hundred yards into the run/hike we called our parents, leaving a message saying, “We are in the Grand Canyon.  On such and such trail.  If you don’t hear from us by such and such time, call this number for help.”  Yeah, they were less than impressed with our voice message.  We actually thought a couple times if I would have stepped there, I may have fallen and died.  But the adventure was fabulous!”

He says his reason for joining the Barefoot Runners Society was “I just had to…;-)”  Well we are certainly glad he did, since Andy has been key in growing his BRS Michigan Chapter.  Recognizing his efforts, we recently asked Andy to take over as Administrative VP, since Preston’s work and home life are a bit hectic these days.  We are confident that Andy will be able to manage and grow the many available chapters here at the BRS just as he has the Michigan Chapter.  We are truly pleased to have Andy on staff!