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Luke, where are you both from? Are you originally from Missoula, or did you relocate here from somewhere else?
I grew up mostly in Bonner and Florence. We moved to Utah when I was 21, after my wife and I had Peyton we decided we wanted to be near family and raise Peyton in Montana so we moved back about 6 years ago.
How did you get into running?
Luke: I wanted to get healthy, I was hiking up a hill to go sledding one day with Peyton and really struggled to get to the top. I have 2 real good friends who run trails and they kept inviting me out, so one day I just did it. I feel in love, it was middle of Feb and we did waterworks. I thought I was going to die, but it was a blast. Running has completely changed my life, I’ve lost 60 pounds and my diet is a lot healthier. Seeing Peyton change her lifestyle as well is very rewarding as a father.
Peyton: I saw my dad race a 5k and since then I was hooked. I get excited for races and don’t sleep the night before. It’s fun.
How long have you been running for?
Luke: About a year and a half (waited way to long in life to start.)
Peyton: Little over a year.
Do you ever run or race together?
Luke: Yes, all the time. We put in about 20 miles together a week (4-5 times a week pending how she feels). We try to run every 5k or 10k we can together.
Peyton: I have run 13 5k’s, 5 10k’s and a 7 mile and 8 mile races with my dad.
Where is your favorite place to run in Missoula?
Luke: Anywhere with Peyton, but I enjoy upper Blue Mountain. I have fond memories there, spent a lot of time working up for Hootenanny Relay and Elk Ramble there.
Peyton: Blue Mountain. I did my first trail run there.
Do you have a favorite race? And, why?
Luke: Elk Ramble, was a beautiful run, ran with some real good friends. I tore my groin up doing the Hootenanny Relay the prior Month so it was a challenge, I was happy I pushed through and completed it.
Peyton: Turkey Day 8k, one of my first longer races and I ran it with a good friend.
What is your favorite pre-race meal? And, post-race celebration meal?
Luke & Peyton: Spaghetti! (After race we love Wheat Montana Cinnamon Rolls!)
What is your favorite running memory?
Luke: Heart Throb 5k 2020, Peyton really trained hard to get faster for that race. She wanted to finish under 9 minutes per mile for the first time. She was really nervous and ran hard and completed her goal.
Peyton: First trail run up Blue Mountain, I did a big hill and it was real tough.
What are you both doing to stay busy in times like these?
Luke: Running (doing virtual races), Yard Work (my favorite hobby) and watching Movies.
Peyton: Running (doing virtual races), Legos, Roller Skating, arts and crafts (really into bead work.)
Anything else you’d like to share?
Running with Peyton has been a dream, I’m so thankful she wants to run with me. Having a running buddy is a blessing, but when it is your own kid it is icing on the cake. People often ask me how I get her to run, I never push her to do anything she doesn’t want to. We talk a lot about the benefits of running and take it at her own pace, what is her body telling her, and take it slow. The feeling of finishing a race and meeting your goal is an experience that you can’t take away, that feeling is all you and all the hard work you put into it. I think it is important to celebrate that, let her live in that moment.