DWRunning Tenure:
Joined in June 2017
PRs:
800m: 1:56.6, 1500m: 4:05.66, Mile: 4:27, 5k: 16:14, 8k (XC): 26:33, 8k (road): 26:52, 10M: 56:33, Half Marathon: 1:14:00
Social Handles:
IG: ryangoodingphotography, rygooding, Twitter: ry_gooding
Running Start:
During the summer before my freshman year, my mom off-handedly suggested that I run cross country to get in shape for the soccer season. I responded, “what’s cross country?”
Running Role Model:
My college coach, Tom Donnelly.
Tom is a legend in his own right. Having coached multiple Olympians, world champions, and a one-time world record holder in the 80s and 90s, he could have landed just about any coaching job he wanted. Yet, for the last 45 years, he’s stayed loyal to the tiny program he built at Haverford College.
Tom doesn’t believe in tryouts or cuts. To Tom, anyone willing to spend the time and effort it takes to get even 1% better is deserving of his coaching – PRs and natural talent be damned. He’s instilled in every Haverford runner an enduring belief that buying-in, loving the sport, and caring for your teammates always matters more than what the clock reads when crossing the finish line. The day I lose sight of that is the day I stop running.
Fun Facts:
I met my fiancé, Katelyn Draths, at a DW long run. Ignore whatever her profile says about me – she was smitten at first sight.
I’m an avid photographer. I briefly pursued a career in photojournalism straight out of college. It didn’t work out.
In college, I played guitar in a band that was literally called “You’re Making a Scene, Housecat”. We were great.