I learned a lot about running (and life) from Pete Goetsch. He was a Manager and FIT Specialist at Fleet
Feet Sports Gaithersburg from March 2011 to June 2013, and I’m certain he’s
left quite an impact on the people he’s met and helped while he was here.
Pete Fun Fact: He calls
Cornell, Wisconsin his hometown, and has lived in Calgary and Victoria on
Vancouver Island for 4 and 6 years, respectively. (That’s in Canada for the
geographically-challenged.)
Let’s find out what Pete’s been up to.
You’re now working at Fleet Feet
Sports Severna Park. How’d you end up
there?
When I moved to the
Annapolis area in 2013, Scott--the owner of Fleet Feet Annapolis--mentioned
opening a new store very near where I was living. The timing was great for me to work for a few
months in the Annapolis store and then transition to helping open the new store
in Severna Park.
How do you fill your days there?
I manage the
store. I get to hire new staff, order
cool new shoes, fit guests for shoes and inserts, and coach 5k'ers and half
marathoners.
What did you like about your time
at Fleet Feet Sports Gaithersburg?
My favorite things
included the busy Saturdays because I got to help so many people with their
challenges. The half marathon group
holds a special place in my heart. And
most of all I was around GREAT people.
Speaking of GREAT people, do you
miss me? *Holding breath*
Sure!
(Editorial Note: I added the
exclamation point!)
Tell us about your recent trip to
Jerusalem and running the Jerusalem Marathon.
An amazing
experience. I ran with Team Just One
Life and toured their office before the race to see how they were helping
expectant mothers. The marathon course
was the most challenging I have ever run.
Hilly from the very beginning, we ran up Mt. Scopus late in the first
half and had a magnificent view over the old city. Coming down the hill, I realized we were only
half done. A quick jog into the old city
made it worthwhile again, and we even had a few miles of flat (roads). At 36k, we hit a big hill and most of us were
walking. Finishing was a huge
accomplishment. By the next day I was
recovered enough to scale the Mount of Olives and catch the sunrise over the
Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount.
Inspiring. I would love to return
for the race next year.
Mazol tov! What's the rest of your race calendar look
like?
You know me. Nothing planned. Something will happen, but most of the time I
am just happy to be out there running on any given morning. For that I am very grateful.
I know the answer to this, but
tell us what you like to drink.
Coffee in the
morning. A nice IPA in the evening. And lots of water to balance it out. Life is good.
Canada, eh? Why?
Why NOT Canada? I moved to Calgary in 2001 as a pastor to
help start a new church. In 2004, I
switched over to a different Sunday morning passion--running!
Amen Petey! So if you ever find
yourself in his neck of the woods, be sure to say hello and chat over a cup of
coffee. Pete would like that. And so would you.
Pete’s Favorite
Fleet Feet Colleague,
Joel
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