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Shea Nangle
Champaign, Illinois
34
Running Experience:
Intermediate
Why should we pick you to go to the North Pole?:
I am an excellent example of the extraordinary things that can be accomplished by ordinary people. In 2003, I was out of shape and severely overweight, weighing nearly 300 pounds. Since then, I have lost nearly 120 pounds and become an avid runner and cyclist. I have a very busy work and home life, and am able to balance these with maintaining my training and competition schedules. Choosing me to run in the North Pole Marathon would provide inspiration, both to the everyday runners, as well as those seeking to lose weight and get into shape.
"I am tenacious to a fault - I simply do not have it in my nature to give up." |
Offer some evidence that you can complete a marathon in harsh, sub-zero conditions at the North Pole:
I train outdoors running in all weather conditions, regardless of temperature, wind, precipitation, etc. I wrote this entry after completing a late afternoon training run outside with a -3F wind chill.
As anyone who knows me can tell you, I am tenacious to a fault - I simply do not have it in my nature to give up. I acknowledge my limits, but am always seeking to push them so that I can grow and move to the next challenge.
Tell us about your cold-weather race experience:
I ran the Chicago Marathon in 2006 in rainy conditions, with temperatures in the low 40s. In 2006, I set my 5k PR in temperatures in the mid-20s, with 15-20mph head and crosswinds.
Tell us about your marathon experience, including times, results, etc.:
In August 2006, I ran the Howl at the Moon 8-Hour Ultra, finishing with 31.1 miles. In October 2006, I ran the Chicago Marathon with a sprained ankle (after being medically cleared) in cold and rainy conditions, finishing in 04:10:07, having hit the wall fairly severely at roughly 18 miles. In December 2006, I ran the Tecumseh Trail Marathon (described by ultrarunner Dean Karnazes as "Hardcore...I’ve spent some time on the trails over the years, and this trail run was as challenging as any"), finishing in 5:58:34 in extremely muddy and wet conditions that resulted in sections of ankle-deep mud and re-routing of parts of the course due to flooding.
What do you expect your North Pole Marathon time to be?:
7:45
Can you write well? Explain:
I am an experienced writer, having written and produced several critically acclaimed theatre pieces in the mid-1990s. I regularly blog about my training and race experiences, and if I am chosen to participate in the North Pole marathon, I will blog daily regarding my training progress, nutrition, and gear selection and testing. In addition, I will prepare a detailed post-race report after the North Pole Marathon. I am associated with a number of running-related blogs, and as a result, I have an existing audience with whom I can share my North Pole Marathon experience.
Tell us about your media experience:
I am experienced in video production and editing, having completed the New York University Video Production certificate program.
Websites:
www.infoninja.com
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.thumbnail.JPG "Kissing the Hardrock")
Anonymous says:
I know Shea, and I can vouch for everything that he stated in the above application. I believe that he is an excellent candidate for the competition and would give a polar bear a run for its money.
Anonymous says:
I know anonymous, and can vouch for everything he or she has said about Shea. But seriously folks, I've known Shea for 16 years, drank with him, ran companies with him, sometimes both at the same time. He's an amazing guy and I can't think of a more perfect axis than Shea, the North Pole, and a marathon.
jB says:
Shea! I believe you could do it, but why would anyone volunteer to be that cold? And, aren't there polar bears? Now that's motivation--a snarling, hungry, 900lb Ursus maritimus coming after you. Run Shea, Run!
-jB
Steph Atkins says:
I'm constantly amazed by Shea's fortitude and dedication. He is always pushing himself to the next limit, and whereas I would give up saying, "Well, I tried!" or "I did my best!", Shea is never satisfied. His tenacity knows no bounds! ;-)
I can also truthful say that Shea is very witty, funny, and off-beat. I think that all of my friends would agree that Shea is one of the most interesting individuals we have ever met. And, I mean this is a good way. He always has entertaining stories and I still chuckle over a few favorites.
Shea is up for the challenge. No doubt about it!
Abby Meyers says:
Shea would be an AWESOME candidate! I have known Shea for several years and met him through my employment as a massage therapist and receptionist at the gym he held a membership at. He has been a huge inspiration to me and to the other members of the gym. I cannot think of anyone who would put more effort and dedication towards this goal! You are amazing Shea and I hope that you are allowed this opportunity to beat mother nature and push yourself to new heights!
Joshua Nathan says:
I can also attest to Shea's ultimate running abilities. He has amazed me time after time with his ability to push beyond himself to new heights of endurance. All with a smile on his face.
I am also able to vouch for Shea's writing abilities. I know for a fact that Shea is a gifted storyteller and would certainly enhance the media exposure of the North Pole Marathon should he have the opportunity to participate.
Paige says:
I have known Shea for 34 years--longer than anyone else because I am his mother! For his entire life, he has always been able to accomplish whatever he has set out to do. He is motivated, determined, and LOVES cold weather. (As a child, he always wanted to stay out in the Vermont snow much longer than I did!) So although it will be summer at the North Pole in April,I hope that it is still cold or Shea would be disappointed. He is truly an inspiring individual and would be a fine candidate for a marathon at the North Pole.
Tracy Thomas says:
In consideration of Shea for the North Pole marathon, you should know that he is a very motivated and driven individual. Should he be picked to do the event, I wil work with him to make sure he is in tip top shape and will make you proud! I can't think of a guy who diserves this more and I'd rather see him do this than all the indoor biking he's been doing lately!!!
Tracy Thomas says:
In consideration of Shea for the North Pole marathon, you should know that he is a very motivated and driven individual. Should he be picked to do the event, I wil work with him to make sure he is in tip top shape and will make you proud! I can't think of a guy who diserves this more and I'd rather see him do this than all the indoor biking he's been doing lately!!!
IS says:
Crazy, crazy, craAzy! What can I say? I've known Shea for 5 years. In that time he's taught me a love of true American BBQ and we regularly have one-up smoke-offs as well as amazed me at what he'll take on and finish up. I met him before he lost all his weight and I'm still amazed at his ability to pick his goals, insane goals, everything they tell you NOT to do so that you stay motivated by small, attainable goals, and by gum he reaches them with extras thrown in.
He's a great candidate for this contest and no matter the outcome, he'll spend all his time planning and training for this, and driving us all crazy because he's gone off meat and we don't get all the mouth-watering effects of his culinary efforts - sigh.
Seriously, pick him!
Sadie P says:
Shea has incredible strength of character and is also very generous of spirit. Should he be selected for the North Pole Marathon I am certain that he would enhance the experience for all participants--as well as us observing safely from thousands of miles away.
Kathleen says:
"Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood...Make big plans, aim high in hope and work." - Daniel Burnham
I think that summarizes Shea. He always sets his sights high and goes after his goals with enthusiasm. I once asked him if he wouldn't set some more assuredly attainable goals and his response was, "if I knew that I would accomplish it, it wouldn't be a goal."
So he always plans big and is not caused disappointment when he doesn't reach a goal - it only causes renewed determination. And in the fourteen years that we've been married, nothing has engendered more determination and more enthusiasm than running and cycling.
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