If you’ve been hanging around here you already know that I was invited by the Chocolate Milk Refuel Team to interview and run with Dr. Andy Baldwin at the Rock and Roll Chicago Half Marathon. Yesterday’s post left off at the expo Q and A session. Afterward, Dr. Baldwin and I went back to the Chocolate Milk Refuel Zone for the interview portion of the weekend.
First let me share some things about Dr. Baldwin just to give you an idea of the kind of super achiever we’re dealing with:
- High School Valedictorian
- ESPN’s National Scholar Athlete of the Year–1995
- Magna Cum Laude Graduate of Duke University
- US. Navy Lieutenant Commander
- Medical Doctor currently a Family Medicine Resident and Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton
- 8 x Ironman
- Humanitarian and author of Running with Kenyans
- Season 10 Bachelor, proposed to Tessa but broke up 8 months later
- Team Refuel Captain
Our interview was short and sweet. It was really more of a chat. I didn’t record anything and The Caveman assured me I’d be a total dweeb if I whipped out a notebook and wrote anything down, so I kind of just absorbed what I could. Dr. Baldwin (because I know you’re hanging on every word) feel free to jump in here and set the record straight.
Here I am before we started, um, formulating my thoughts.
Doing my best to stay on topic.
Our talk went something like this:
Confidence
Q: You are so accomplished in so many areas. What do you attribute this to? Where did you gain the confidence necessary to reach for and achieve your goals?
According to Andy, his confidence came from playing sports from an early age. He was a swimmer before high school. He also played tennis, basketball, football and baseball. His confidence grew as he set and attained goals.
Q: How did you get into distance running?
He ran his first marathon (Marine Corps Marathon) when he was 19 as a challenge from his dad. They ran it together.
Q: Next big race?
Focusing on shorter races. He wants to get back under 1:30 for the half marathon. He loves the NYC Marathon and if it works out, will be running that one again in November.
Q: Which do you prefer: speed or endurance?
Andy says he thinks he’s better at outlasting his competition.
Balance
Q: Where do you find the time to train?
Like many of us, Dr. Baldwin fits training in wherever he can. With hospital hours he needs to be flexible. It’s not a chore though because he loves it. Physical activity is his stress release. Currently he’s running approx. 30-40 miles per week. He likes to be always training for something.
Personal
I didn’t ask Dr. Baldwin anything about The Bachelor. As I said yesterday I am not a fawner and honestly, there are so many more interesting things I wanted to ask him about. Plus I barely made it through the above questions and crowds were lined up for autographs so it was time to wind it up. I can tell you though that his girlfriend was with him. The lovely Natalie Davila, older sister of Desiree Davila, one of my favorite marathoners who is going to rock out in London.
Next up: Race day!
Sounds like a great interview! I love that his dad challenged him to do his first marathon and that they ran it together!
Mike was definitely excited about the chocolate milk at the race, he loves “Got Chocolate Milk” and their ads (and the athletes in them)!
Awesome questions! Sounds like quite the all-American guy there, lol. Definitely an experience you’ll never forget, I’m sure. Congrats! 🙂
I’m impressed that you remembered all of that without writing it down. I’d totally forget it all by the time I walked out the door =)
Fun! Great interview and you looked really cute:)
No way I would have remembered all that. How cool though, I was so thinking of you over the weekend and hoped you didn’t trip and fall in his lap or anything :).
that Dr Andy is quite the overachiever. I think maybe it would have been fair to ask “have you ever failed at ANYTHING?!?!?” hehehehe
Valedictorian? brains, looks, and speed? Thats a rare combo!
Wow, he is doing it all, huh? Impressive. Seems like such a genuinely nice guy, too. I agree with your husband- no notes. You did a great job recapping from memory!
Serious overachiever 🙂 Sounds like Dr. Andy is a great – I liked your interview questions. Can’t wait to hear how the race went!
sad i missed you in the VIP tent post race 🙁 but i was too busy stuffing my face and trying to not let my skin melt off my body to notice much…funny how hungry spectating a race can make you.
Well done, Marcia, well done! He’s not an intimidating person in the least! ; )
Love that he points to sports early in life for instilling confidence. I want that for my kids so badly, especially my daughter. And how cool that he dates Desi’s sister!
Marcia, it was an absolute pleasure meeting and talking with you. You are too sweet! Thank you for the overly glowing interview write up. For all those that are reading, please know I’m just a normal guy.
Sometimes I don’t think it’s fair that someone gets given so much – looks, brains, athletic ability. He’s got to suck at something surely?!!
Really nice interview!
I’m sure he appreciated being interviewed by someone as real as you are (for once–imagine all the fawning crap he has to put up with!). You did a great job–really proud of you for not asking about The Bachelor–sounds like the least interesting thing about him. (I think it’s cool he’s dating Desiree Davila’s sister!)
okay. good point-bachelor q’s would’ve been a bit crazy. had no clue he was dating desi’s older sis! and i’m impressed with his schedule (and appearances) he can get 30-40 miles in a week. and first marathon at 19. wow. and great job remembering the interview!
I think that is the list of what my Grandfather would say is the perfect man – minus The Bachelor experience.
Great job on the interview? Challenge from Dad – and he is now hooked – I think Dad had an ulterior motive
you did a great job!
I am not sure I would have remembered all that!
interesting guy for sure
Cool interview!
LOVE your picture together!! GREAT interview! I love that he is so active with humanitarian work. He’s a class act all the way and is so accomplished!! –Lisa