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
Burlingame Store Manager / Insole Buyer
Started at ARM: February 2017
Favorite Bay Area Race: The North Face Endurance Challenge California
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
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!
Dom Chelini
ARM Burlingame Team Member / ARMTFS Coach / 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
Taylor Rivas
ARM Assistant 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: Brooks Ravenna 9
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: My handy dandy Flip Belt.
Simone Summers
Los Altos Store Manager
Started working at A Runner’s Mind:
August 2018.
Favorite Bay Area Race:
This is a toss-up between Bay to Breakers and Wharf to Wharf. The former because dressing up in costume and running while bungee tied to 14 other teamie friends is incredibly fun, and the latter for the thrill of running for that sweet top-100 finisher’s jacket.
Shoe of choice on race day:
New Balance 1400
Why run?
It’s cheaper than therapy! I can also eat way more chocolate than I otherwise could. Seriously though, running just makes me feel really great. 🙂
Why ARM?
I’m so appreciative to be a member of the ARM family and have the opportunity to work within the field that I play in! How cool is that!?
Running accessory you can’t run without:
My Gamin and Nike Zoom Fly shoes!
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 6
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.
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
Emilia Janiczek
ARM Peninsula Team Member
Started at ARM: September 2015
Favorite Bay Area Race: Crystal Springs 5K
Shoe of choice on race day: Nike Victory
Why run? In 2009 I raced my first 800 and realized why people run. It’s the only sport where you can reach the thresholds of pain and joy at the same time. Couldn’t stop since!
Why come back to ARM? In college, people aren’t as fond of constant shoe talk and having their gait analyzed on the street. But more importantly, you can’t stay away from family.
Running accessory you can’t run without: Feetures!
Noah Kim
ARM San Francisco Team Member
Started: June 2017
Favorite Race: Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon
Shoe of Choice on Race Day: Brooks PureGrit
Running accessory you can’t run without: Earbuds!!!
Why run? Because getting lost in a run is awesome, since I can just tune out the world. Besides that, finishing races is one of the best feelings in the world.
Why ARM? Great community, nice people, all dedicated to running (what’s not to love?).
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
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!
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
Brooke Bray
Director of Team Sales
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!)
Nick Kovaleski
ARM Ambassador / Events and Races Team Member
Started at ARM: March 2016
Favorite Bay Area Race: ARM Summer Lights
Shoe of choice on race day: On Cloudflash
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
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
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
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.