Kyle Ballard
Co-Owner / VP of Business Development
Started at ARM: May of 2015
Favorite Bay Area Race: Double Dipsea
Shoe of choice on race day: Mizuno Sayonara
Why run? For the post race beer
Why ARM? Because it’s ARM
Running accessory you can’t run without: My Stance socks. They are bright, bold, and colorful!
Brooke Bray
Director of Team Sales and Medical Outreach
Started at ARM: January 2018
Favorite Bay Area Race: Bay to Breakers. Tied together in a centipede with my teammates – Impala Racing Team – dressed in costume is the most fun and competitive race experience. Only in the Bay Area can you race like that!
Shoe of choice on race day: Currently the Hoka Tacer but experimenting with Nike Vapor Fly
Why run? Why not!? Running has challenged me mentally and physically – which I love! And it’s brought me some of the coolest people into my life, who have become my closest lifelong friends.
Why ARM? ARM is a family. To share my passion of running with the community and be around great people all day is exciting!
Running accessory you can’t live without: Garmin 935 (and when injured KT Tape has saved me and gotten me to the starting line!)
Vanessa Cabello
ARM Los Altos Team Member
Started at ARM: June 2019
Favorite Bay Area Race: Gobble Wobble
Shoe of choice on race day: Saucony Carrera XC4 or Brooks Adrenaline
Why run? Running simply makes me feel empowered, it’s also a great stress reliever. It’s not only a way to stay fit, it’s also a way to become confident in yourself.
Why ARM? Who wouldn’t want to work at a job where you can combine your passion with making money!
Running accessory you can’t live without: Swiftwick socks
Don Castellucci
ARM Store Team Member
Started at ARM: August 2019
Favorite Bay Area Race: Since I’m new to the area, I haven’t raced much yet. But I’m looking forward to 2020 XC season ahead of Club Nats.
Shoe of choice on race day: Nike Next% for long distance, Altra Escalante Racer for shorter distance, and Saucony Peregrine for the trails
Why run? To clear my mind and find peace in a world that is full of noise.
Why ARM? Running has brought so much to my life over the past years that I thought it was time to give back. Being able to help others find movement through running or walking is awesome. The running community is such a special group of people and ARM is no exception. It quickly became clear to me that we were a family here.
Running accessory you can’t live without: Maurten Gel 100 & Drink Mix 320
Dom Chelini
ARM Burlingame Team Member / Nutrition & Sock Buyer
Started at ARM: November 2015
Favorite Bay Area Race: Oakland Running Festival Half Marathon
Shoe of choice on race day: Nike VaporFly 4%
Why run? It clears the mind!
Why ARM? You get an instant feeling of community and mirrors my passion for running
Running accessory you cant run without: Split shorts and & my Garmin 10
Brendan Creeks
ARM Burlingame Team Member
Started ARM: June 2019
Favorite Bay Area Race: Gobble Wobble 1 Mile
Shoe of choice on race day: Saucony Type A8
Why run? Just like in life, hard work pays off. Also, it’s fun!
Why ARM? ARM is the most supportive community of runners out there.
Running accessory you cant run without: My Goodr sunglasses
Sonja Dommen
Favorite Bay Area Race: Gobble Wobble, of course!
Shoe of choice on race day: Saucony Kilkenny
Why run? There’s no better feeling than being outside in the sunshine, sweat dripping down your face, and pushing yourself alongside friends!
Why ARM? The ARM community is truly the best; everyone is welcomed and supported so that they can achieve whatever success means to them.
Running accessory you can’t live without: A fun pair of sunglasses
Geordi Galang
ARM San Francisco Team Member
Started at ARM: March 2017
Favorite Bay Area Race: The North Face Endurance Challenge
Shoe of choice on race day: Brooks Purecadence
Why run? Running is therapy. It lets me set goals for myself, work hard to achieve them and grow stronger.
Why ARM? No agenda, no commission, just community. The goal is to make sure you have everything you need to go for your next PR or adventure!
Running accessory you can’t live without: My trusty Balega socks.
Carlos Guerra
San Francisco Store Manager
Started working at A Runner’s Mind: August 2015
Favorite Bay Area Race: The Gobble Wobble
Shoe of choice on race day: Saucony Ride
Why run? To quiet my mind and push my body. And because gyms smell!
Why ARM? Join a great group of people who know a whole lot-a about running!
Running accessory you can’t run without: My headphones!
Lora James
ARM San Francisco Team Member
Started at ARM: July 2019
Favorite Bay Area Race: The Northface Endurance Challenge
Shoe of choice on race day: Saucony Kinvara
Why run? I love being outdoors and using running to explore new places and trails. It is also a great way to relieve stress!
Why ARM? Their dedication to help the community through running and the belief that movement is life.
Running accessory you can’t live without: Shoes, specifically the Nike Pegasus
Chance Kinney
ARM SF Co-Manager / Digital Media Director
Started at ARM: May 2018
Favorite Bay Area Race: Oakland Running Festival
Shoe of choice on race day: Nike Vaporfly 4%, Hoka EVO Rehi, Skechers GoRun Razor 3
Why run? Don’t need too much to do it
Why ARM? It’s always fascinating to hear the stories of runners and walkers who come into the shop, and it’s a joy to help keep them moving.
Running accessory you can’t run without: My glasses!
Monte Keleher
OWNER
Started ARM: 2010
Favorite Bay Area Race: Gobble Wobble, BCE Spirit Run, Hillsborough Fun Run
Shoe of choice on race day: Mizuno Sayonara, Brooks Racer ST, Nike Lunar Racer
Why run? Because I can—and so can you. Humans were made to run, walk, and move. Running is the best way for me to relieve stress, enjoy happiness, and enjoy life.
Why ARM? ARM is not just a store—it is a brand, an experience, a lifestyle. ARM is how we live, and we invite everyone to join us.
Running accessory you cant run without: ARM Shirt & Garmin Fenix
Jenny Keleher
Wednesday Walkers Lead
Started ARM: 2010
Favorite Bay Area Race: AVON 39 (walk a marathon one day and a half marathon the next. No running allowed!)
Shoe of choice on race day: Brooks Pure Cadence OR Brooks Adrenaline
Why walk? We were born to walk!!! It’s fun, great exercise, and gives you plenty of time to solve the world’s problems with friends along the route!
Why ARM? We started ARM to have a place for runners and walkers of all levels and all ages to come together to share a common interest; where everyone is treated with honesty and respect; where you can find “the right shoe for you”…..and much more!
Accessory you can’t walk without: Great shoes and socks.
Shannon Keleher
Apparel Buyer & Visual Merchandising Manager
Started at ARM: October 2015
Favorite Bay Area Race: Presidio 10 (reminds me of the Soldier Field 10, shout-out to Chi Town!)
Shoe of choice on race day: On Cloudflow
Why run? Hitting the pavement is my therapy and the empty sky is the only witness I need in this life.
Why ARM? ARM is a place to call home with a group of people who feel closer than family on the road that is life. And life is good at A Runner’s Mind.
Running accessory you cant run without: RockTape, preferably with a pirate-inspired print
Todd Keleher
CFO – A RUNNERS MIND
FOUNDER – DISCOVER RUNNING
Started at ARM: 2010
Favorite Bay Area Races: Gobble Wobble, Payton Jordan, BCE Spirit Run, Hillsborough Fun Run, Giants Race
Shoe of choice on race day: Hoka Clifton, Nike Zoom Victory (1500m), Mizuno Sayonara
Why run? The most durable fabric that binds runners together is pain; that inside-out pain that we routinely subject ourselves to in order to make us better; better in ways that are deeply meaningful, intensely personal, and wonderfully gratifying to each of us, down to our souls.
Why ARM? A Runners Mind’s commitment is to inspire you to pursue life-long running and to use running as a platform to build character. ARM is more than a top US specialty running store. A Runners Mind is the place we arrive when we finish, come to rest, and see life for all its possibilities.
Running accessory you can’t run without: Garmin 620, CEP Compression socks, Tifosi sunglasses, Glide
Nick Kovaleski
Sustainability Director
Started at ARM: March 2016
Favorite Bay Area Race: The North Face Endurance Challenge
Shoe of choice on race day: On Cloudventure Peak
Why run? Some people go to church on Sunday mornings, I prefer lacing up my running shoes and hitting the pavement; nature is my cathedral.
Why ARM? I’ve finally found a community that shares my values; running, customer service, and passion!
Running accessory you can’t live without: The open road and my Garmin Vivoactive HR
Johnny Ragsdale
ARM Burlingame Team Member
Started working at A Runner’s Mind: Summer of ’19
Favorite Bay Area Race: Gobble Wobble
Shoe of choice on race day: Saucony flats for XC. HOKA Gaviota or Saucony Liberty for anything longer.
Why run? I run because it’s relaxing and I get to run with my teammates and friends. I also enjoy training to get faster and faster.
Why ARM? ARM is a truly fun place where work doesn’t feel like work. The community at ARM fosters an environment of acceptance and fun where the guests truly feel helped and heard.
Running accessory you can’t run without: Swiftwick socks
Vicki Rahn
Bookkeeper
Started at ARM: June 2012
Favorite Bay Area Race: The Race to the Bank
Shoe of choice on race day: Asics Kayano
Why ARM? Why not??!! ARM is the best
Workout accessory you cant run without: My paycheck
Taylor Rivas
ARM Los Altos Store Manager
Started at ARM: March 20, 2018
Favorite Bay Area Race: The San Francisco Marathon (Full Marathon). There’s no place like home.
Shoe of choice on race day: Saucony Liberty
Why run? I’ve been a distance runner my whole life. It’s something that’s a part of me. Running is an addiction and something I am passionate for.
Why ARM? ARM is so much more than just a running store. It’s the people that make ARM such a welcoming and fun place to be. With our knowledge and our care for each guest that steps in the shop it’s no wonder why ARM is the best shop in the country. I am truly grateful to be part of the ARM team.
Running accessory you can’t live without: Garmin Forerunner 235
Raul Rodarte
ARM Los Altos Team Member
Started at ARM: July 2017
Favorite Bay Area race: San Jose Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon
Shoe of choice on race day: Nike Zoom Streak LT 3
Why run? Running, in my opinion, is the ultimate test of character. It strips you down to the barest of bones and shows you who you really are.
Why ARM? Everyone I have met at ARM has been extremely supportive of my goals and aspirations. They give me a sense that my dreams are really possible.
Running accessory you can’t live without: My Garmin Forerunner 25
Eileen Urtz
General Manager of A Runner’s Mind
Started at ARM: September 2016
Favorite Bay Area Race: Since I just moved to CA and have only run one race I’ll have to say the Half Moon Bay International Marathon/Half Marathon (I ran the half). I suspect by the end of November though I will have a new favorite…ARM’s Gobble Wobble!
Shoe of choice on race day: Hoka One One Bondi (road), Saucony Peregrine (trail)
Why run? Running, for me, is the absolute best way to meet people and to learn their stories. It is the most natural and comfortable way for me to get to know someone. Over 37 years of running and racing, my most satisfying and memorable runs have been those done with someone else. The best is running with someone, sharing my passion for running with them and encouraging them to keep working towards their own goals.
Why ARM? ARM=Family. Every customer who walks through the door is greeted like a long lost cousin and given extra special service. ARM staff all lead active lifestyles and strive to share their passion for movement with every customer. Each ARM staffer cares deeply about making sure every customer has what they need to pursue their own active lifestyle whether it’s new running shoes, advice on race day nutrition, friends to walk or run with from the store in the evenings, Zumba class or simply some encouragement to get out the door on a day they’d rather not. ARM is the most special of run specialty stores!
Running accessory you can’t run without: A sturdy hair tie plus an an emergency spare (for me or to share)
Derek Wun
Footwear Buyer
Started at ARM: February 2017
Favorite Bay Area Race: Double Dipsea
Shoe of choice on race day: On Cloudventure Peak
Why run? So I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want
Why ARM? ARM is a family-oriented community with a vast array of knowledge about not only running, but living a healthy, active lifestyle.
Running accessory you can’t live without: Just a pair of shoes and I’m good
Jason Yen
ARM Store Team Member
Started at ARM: September 2018
Favorite Bay Area Race: The San Francisco Marathon
Shoe of choice on race day: Nike Vaporfly, Lt Streak
Why run? It reinforces the value of patience.
Why ARM? ARM is not just a store, it’s a community of runners supporting each other toward each other’s goals.
Running accessory you can’t live without: My Garmin