Meet Our Board

Katie Gellings
​President

Profession: Health & Well-Being Educator for UW Madison Division of Extension in Green Lake County
Been running since: 1999
Average weekly mileage:
​55-60
PRs: Indy Monumental Marathon 2021 - 2:58:34, Fox Cities Half Marathon 2021 - 1:25:37
Dream training partner: Stephanie Bruce and Molly Seidel
Training shoe: Hoka Arahi
Favorite running route: From Baker Cheese to Festival Foods
Pre-race food: Oatmeal & an SIS gel (2-3 days leading up to a marathon, I eat 3-5 bagels per day - carbo loading at its finest!)
Hot or cold weather runner? Probably hot
Morning or evening runs? Early morning
I can't run without: my Garmin Fenix 5s
Goals: Break 2:55 in the marathon
Best part of running: the finish line joys (of a marathon especially) and the friends running has brought into my life
Favorite non-running activity: Spending time with my kids and husband, crafting with my Cricut, baking cakes, camping
Advice: Enjoy the process!

Jon Rasmussen
​Vice President

Profession: Dairy Herd Consultant and Technology Trainer
Been running since: 1997
Most memorable race: Convincing and running with a friend that they could complete another lap before the noon whistle at an endurance run.
Training shoe: Mizuno Wave Inspire, Altra Lone Peak
If I didn't run, I: would lift weights.
Favorite non-running activities: Gardening, farming, working with animals.
Any great advice: Always help others.

Jeff Bilitz
Treasurer

Profession: Insurance Claims Manager    
Been running since: 2000 
What is your motivation to run? To get in shape for XC skiing
Average weekly mileage: These days only 10-15 miles. Two meniscus surgeries have limited my miles.
PRs: 5k - 19:53; 5 Mile - 32:43
Race you’d like to forget: Almost every half marathon I've done
Annual race you’ll never miss: American Birkebeiner
Dream training partner: My two sons
Training shoe: Brooks Ravenna
Favorite running route: Mascoutin Trail
Favorite workout: Tuesday night track workouts in the summer
Goals: Get back into good enough running shape that I feel like racing.
Best part of running: The awesome feeling when I'm done!
Favorite non-running activities: Music, sports, XC skiing
Mode of transportation (other than your legs): Marwe Roller Skis
Interesting fact: I didn't start running until I was 35 years old.
Advice: Be thankful for the ability to run.

Sarah Brinkley
Secretary

Profession: Professional Counselor (part-time), Office Assistant (part-time)
Been running since: 2001
What made you start running/Why do you run?
In 1999, my dad ran his first marathon, and we went down to Chicago to watch. No one in my family had done anything like this before (we weren’t a particularly athletic bunch) so we all wanted to go watch this crazy event that was brand new to us. My husband (of about a month, at the time) and I stood there, dumbfounded, as people of all shapes, sizes, and ages streamed by. I guess a little competitive fire started and I realized that if all these people could do it, I probably could too.
Memorable PRs: I got within 11 seconds of my 2010 PR in 2017 at the Whistlestop Marathon. I had run the Lakefront Marathon two weeks prior and was super frustrated because when I finished, I felt I could have done a lot better. We drove up to Ashland to see what would happen and I was able to shave eight and a half minutes off my time. The weather and scenery were gorgeous, and the kids and my husband were awesome supporters, cheering every few miles wrapped in their fleece blankets. I think this was the only race where I looked back at it and thought about how if I hadn’t slowed down at this or that aid station, I could have beaten my time.
Best race/run: My best race was at the 2019 Manitowoc Maritime Marathon where I ran the half and got a major PR of 1:27:57. I felt strong the entire race and I got 1st place for the women and 2nd place overall, behind former FDLRC president Brad Theryl. I believe my great run was the result of cross training and consistency; this race was in the middle of my second round of Ironman training. All that swimming and biking worked wonders for my run fitness.
Worst run/race: This is tough because I’m so thankful to be able to have done all the races I’ve participated in; but the time I felt the absolute worst during a race was my second Ironman Wisconsin in 2019, during the marathon. Without going into too much detail, let’s just say my GI was not happy and the “run” took over 5 hours. But I got to have a lot of great conversations with other participants who were also struggling, and that experience gave me so much appreciation for the times when I feel good.
Annual race you’ll never miss: The Chilly Chili Run. I don’t run it, but I help with the food, and I just love the atmosphere and tradition of this. My kids have practically grown up with this being what we do to mark New Years Eve. (Plus, I don’t have to be in shape to participate but I get to enjoy all the fun!)
Dream training partner: A few years ago, I read Deana Kastor’s book, “Let Your Mind Run” and I was intrigued so even aside from her incredible success as a runner, I think she’d be a really easy and interesting person to talk to while passing the miles.
Training shoe: Currently I’m alternating between the Asics Kayano and the Saucony Guide. They are working ok, but my run volume is way down so it’s hard to compare them to my other favorites, the Brooks Ghost and the Brooks PureFlow (discontinued). When I’m not running, I love my Birkenstocks and my Bearpaw boots
Favorite running route: I love running right from my door and have lots of routes between two and twenty miles that always make me happy.
Pre-race food: Bananas with peanut or almond butter, hands down. I’m addicted.
Post-race food: Depends on the race but it’s almost always accompanied by coffee!
Goals: I’ve been recovering from overuse injuries for the past couple of years so my goals right now are to just enjoy doing more moderate speeds and distances as I continue to heal. I’m in my mid-forties now and my body is definitely different than it was even four years ago, so I’m adjusting my expectation and increasing my gratitude for what I can do on a daily basis.
Upcoming races: I’d love to do the Peninsula State Park half marathon next May if my body is feeling good. The Door County triathlon would be a lot of fun too if I can keep myself in check and slowly build back up to that level.
Favorite non-running activities: I love biking our beautiful Wisconsin countryside, drinking coffee and reading in the quiet mornings before I exercise, and spending time with my husband, kids, and friends. I’ve also done yoga every day in 2022 and love the meditative peace it brings me.
Mode of transportation (other than your legs): My road bike Ruby. I recently got a mountain bike and have been enjoying the slower pace and more upright posture of that as the weather cools off.
Interesting fact about you: I used to hate to sweat. I was in dance as a kid and was on the pom team in high school. When we ran the mile in gym class, I walked it. Now if I don’t sweat, I barely feel I deserve a shower
Any great advice (running or non-running related): Be thankful for what you’re able to do. No matter what, there’s always going to be someone out there who is doing more, better, faster, and with better hair, so just do what you can, be kind to yourself, and encourage others to do the same.
​

Patrick Ellestad
​Board Member

Profession: Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
Been running since: 2004
What made you start running? I needed an activity to keep me in shape and motivated after I was done playing collegiate football. Running is my therapy, stress releaser/reliever and re-centering tool. 
PRs: 3:20 finish at the Madison Garden Marathon. Two laps around Lake Monona. Very hilly course. 
Best race: Ironman Wisconsin. Great crowd support! 
Annual race you’ll never miss: Door County Half marathon is normally a staple on the calendar
Dream training partner: My wife! She does not like to run long distances
Training shoe: At the moment, Brooks Hyperion Tempo
Favorite running route: Any long, tranquil country road 
Pre-race food: Oatmeal
Post-race food: Whatever is available at the finish line! 
Favorite non-running activities: Fishing, biking, spending time with friends and family
Interesting fact about you: I ran 40 miles for my 40th birthday
Any great advice: Use kindness as your compass and don't take life too seriously. See running as a "get to" not a "have to". 

Carey Woodward
Board Member

Profession: Retired
Been running since: High school (off and on)
What made you start running/Why do you run? When the first running craze hit (1970s), it sounded like fun … and being on the high school track/cross country teams got me out of gym class. It’s still an enjoyable way to stay in shape and get outside.
Memorable PRs: 10k (43:10) — at a small race in Wild Rose, which I ran only because a former student asked me to accompany him on his very first race.
50k (6:46:27) — at High Cliff state park. It was my first ultra, the course had some brutal climbs/scrambles, and the weather was hot and sticky. I almost dropped out.
Best race/run: Run Woodstock 50k (2024) — I shaved almost two hours off of my initial time on this course, and still felt good afterward.
​Worst run/race: Boston Marathon (2016) — I didn’t hydrate properly, cramped up on Beacon St., and jog/walked the rest of the way in … giving me my slowest marathon time to date. (The race clock at the finish line had already been switched to the wave after mine.)
Annual race you’ll never miss: The Old Plank Sunset Half (née the Full Moon Half Marathon), which mostly follows the Old Plank Road Trail (paralleling highway 23) from Plymouth to Kohler. I have run it every year that it has been held (13 times); I set my half marathon PR there (1:35:19); got my first half marathon age group award there; and its inaugural running (in 2008) was my first half marathon as well.
Dream training partner: Nobody in particular, as long as they are just a bit faster than I am.
Training shoe: I have a wide forefoot, so Topo and Altra shoes work well for me…but I’ll get almost anything if it’s on clearance at Running Warehouse.
Favorite running route: The local trails: Kiekhaefer, Greenbush, and Zillmer for hill/trail work; Wild Goose and Mascoutin Valley for long runs.
Pre-race food: Oatmeal 1½–2 hours out, then a Larabar or something similar 20–30 minutes out.
Post-race food: No food, thanks; just give me a glass of chocolate milk followed by a glass of beer.
Goals: Do some more races longer than 50k; maybe shoot for Boston again; but mostly just stay out there.
Upcoming races: I’m on the fence about the Fall 50; also, I have a couple of nearby trail halves coming up.
Favorite non-running activities: Camping; electronics/ham radio; and trail building and repair on the Ice Age Trail.
Mode of transportation (other than your legs): Bicycle. (I have a road bike and a commuter bike, and my wife and I have a classic Burly tandem.)
Interesting fact about you: I was a physics and astronomy professor before retiring, with an interest in education & public outreach. I once brought eclipse glasses to a race, so that I could show the other racers a partial solar eclipse that was going on at the time.
Any great advice (running or non-running related): Not really; I’m still trying to figure it all out myself.

Andy Waisanen
Board Member

Profession: Engineer
Been running since: 2020
What made you start running/Why do you run? I enjoyed running cross-country and track in high school and participated in the occasional 5K throughout most of my adult life. I started running more seriously and regularly during the pandemic to stay active and improve my health when opportunities to participate in team sports disappeared. I’ve found that road racing is one of the rare sports that offers nearly unlimited opportunities for adult athletes, so it’s been a great place to channel my competitive drive.
Memorable PRs: I entered the YMCA Miles that Matter 10K race in Oshkosh last winter as a tune-up race for spring marathon training. I had never experienced or even envisioned myself having a top finish in a road race, but I ended up winning that race. That was a powerful motivator to show me I can keep improving even at this stage of life.
Best race/run: 2022 Adrenaline Half Marathon - 1:24:49 - I tend to start races too fast. This was my most consistent race and I achieved my goal time by running very even mile splits.
Worst run/race: 2022 Rock N’ Brews Half Marathon – DNF – I was excited to race this scenic course around Lake Monona to celebrate my birthday weekend last year. The weather was hot and humid with a strong chance of storms, but shortly before the race started, it looked like they might hold off until after the race, so off we went. Five miles into the race, I was running in the middle of a downpour with lightning everywhere. Soon after, a race volunteer pulled me and others off the course to huddle under an overpass in downtown Madison. We stood around under the overpass, cold and wet, for at least 45 minutes before we were told the race was canceled and we’d need to find our own way back to the starting line. The storms were still going at full strength, so beyond being cold and wet, running back to the starting line wasn’t a very safe option. Thankfully, my wife was able to find me using the tracking feature on my fitness watch and came to pick me up. So far, that’s the only race I haven’t finished.
Annual race you’ll never miss: I love the Canal Run Half Marathon race that takes place annually in Hancock, MI - my hometown. The course is very scenic, and I try to run it every opportunity I get, whether it’s during the race itself or just when visiting the area for general training.
Dream training partner: CJ Albertson – he just seems like somebody that can make running fun, although being able to keep up with him is probably more of a dream than training with him.
Training shoe: Brooks Launch 9 GTS
Favorite running route: Fond du Lac Loop
Pre-race food: Fresh Fit Cafe
Post-race food: Brat
Goals:
Marathon: 2:58
Half Marathon: 1:24
10K: 38:00
5mi: 30:00
5K: 18:00
Upcoming races: I’m planning a few half marathons this summer along with the Walleye Weekend 5mi run. My next big race will be the Chicago Marathon in October.
Favorite non-running activities: Reading, cooking, traveling, attending my kids’ figure skating competitions.
Mode of transportation (other than your legs): Biking
Interesting fact about you: I drive the Zamboni at the Blue Line ice rink as part of my volunteer duties for my kids’ figure skating activities.
Any great advice (running or non-running related): Variety is the spice of life - mix it up! I try to apply this to nearly all aspects of life, including running. Training at a variety of speeds, distances, and routes keeps it interesting and creates the additional challenge of becoming a well-rounded runner.

Nathan Schultz
​Board Member

Profession: Industrial Electrician 
Been running since: 2011 
What made you start running/Why do you run? My coworker and friend Mike Zuhlke convinced me to run a 5-mile race with him and I fell in love with running. 
Memorable PRs: 1:33 at the Oshkosh half marathon. I took second in my age group, and it was on my birthday! 
Best race/run: Chicago marathon is by far my favorite marathon to date, and I set my PR there. 
Worst run/race: Two weeks before the Med City Marathon I Sprained my ankle and watched the race from the finish line. 
Annual race you’ll never miss: Turkey Trot 
Dream training partner: My children 
Training shoe: Asics gel-kayano 30 
Favorite running route: 5-mile route through downtown 
Pre-race food: Granola Bar 
Post-race food: Beer 
Goals: Run all six world majors. I’ve run New York and Chicago so far. 
Upcoming races: Fall 50 
Favorite non-running activities: Spending time with my family 
Mode of transportation (other than your legs): Harley-Davidson 
​Interesting fact about you: I went back to college at 31 because it's never too late to better yourself. 
​Any great advice (running or non-running related): Run like your life depends on it!