The Runner

The Runner

My running history includes over 50 years running dating back to 1966. Back then I was a middle distance specialist managing to break the 2:20 mark for the 880 (half mile) as a pudgy freshman at Grand Blanc High School. By my senior year, I ran the half mile in less than 2 minutes and was a part of a distant medley team that broke the meet, school, and Michigan state record. During my junior and senior years, I ran cross country for one of the top high school teams in the Michigan. Training included running as much as 150 miles per week. Training also included many miles of fast-paced long runs along the rural roads to countless repeats around a quarter-mile track.

Following high school, I became a recreational runner. I did not compete, preferring to enjoy local routes in my area. I returned to competitive running in 1982 when I joined the Novi Trackers Running Club. Through the support of the members I rediscovered the true enjoyment of running and road racing competition. While many of my Tracker friends were running sub-3 hour marathons and posting awesome finishing times in major marathons such as Boston and Chicago, I remained committed to the shorter distances.

Finally after several years competing in the Masters division, I decided to enter my first marathon,  the Detroit Free Press Marathon in 1993. By that time, my running friends had retired from marathons which meant I needed to train for and run my first marathon totally on my own. I read and learned a lot about how to prepare for a marathon but reading is a far cry from competing. Nonetheless, I tried to start at a slow pace and hitting the wall shortly after the 20 mile mark. I finished my first marathon in a time of 3:23.  I was both elated and disappointed with my time. The following year I returned to run Detroit again. This time finishing in 3:17, which remains my lifetime personal record (PR).

In 2004, I joined the Leukemia and Lymphoma Team in Training (TNT) program. While raising over $5,000 towards the fight against Leukemia, Lymphoma, and all cancers I was re-energized me to run competitively. Following my two years with TNT, which included duties as a team mentor I ran and trained on my own for another two years. It was during this time that I ran my first Boston Marathon in 2006. My lesson learned during this period was that a runner’s performance improves when supported by a coach and running group. This lead to my joining the Running Fit 501 Marathon Training program in 2007. Here, I truly learned the value of training under a qualified running coach and my knowledge of running exploded. 

Training with the 501 group in Ann Arbor felt like the good old days back in high school where we ran hills, ran roads (with hills), and ran fast (usually uphill).  I joined the Novi/Northville 501 group in 2009 and shortly thereafter assumed the duties of an assistant coach. I enjoyed helping newer and more experienced runners to improve their running.

I joined the Ann Arbor Track Club and the USA Track and Field organization in 2010. The USA Track and Field organization is the national governing body for the sport of running, including the US Olympics. Through the Ann Arbor Track Club, I competed in several U.S. National Road Races. In 2011, I was a part of the team that took first place in the team competition for the National 10K Championship.

I am excited in my new role as a running coach to be able to share all of the benefits and experiences of running to those runners who seek to reach to their new goal.

• Nationally Certified Running Coach, Road Runners Clubs of America, 2017

• Brooks ID (Inspire Daily) Coach, 2008 - present

• Running Fit 501, Assistant Coach 2009-16

• The 501 Running Club Coach 2017 - present

• USATF National Championship First Place Team, 10K, AATC

• 13 Marathons, 10 time Boston Qualifier Detroit (6), Boston (2), New York, Chicago, Honolulu, Traverse City Bayshore, Raleigh City of Oaks AG Winner

• Over 35 half marathons, Competed in every Brooksie Way (14). Age Group winner in Rock CF Half Marathon and Detroit US Half Marathon in 2022.

• Crim 30 year club member 2016 - present, Completing 36 Crim Ten Mile Road Races, Flint MI

• Age Group Competitor most races entered of any distance

• Coached runners in the following races; Detroit Marathon (full and half), Glass City Marathon, Bayshore Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Marine Corp Marathon, New York City Marathon, and The Boston Marathon.

Call or email Coach Lee: 248-773-9970 or TheRunningArchitect@gmail.com

The Architect

Lee j. Mamola AIA

48 years professional experience with prominent Michigan architectural firms including 25 years as owner of Mamola Associates Architects in Novi, MI.  Practice included commercial, light industrial, institutional, interiors, and custom residential.  Experience also includes 6 years as Adjunct Professor at the University of Detroit Mercy, School of Architecture, instructing in mid- to upper-level design studios and construction methods.

Education

Master of Architecture, University of Detroit

Bachelor of Science in Architecture, University of Detroit

Professional Registrations

Registered Architect, State of Michigan

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

Educator

University of Detroit Mercy, School of Architecture - Adjunct Professor 2001-2006, Taught upper level design studio and construction materials courses.

Awards

AIA Detroit Honor Award – Applebarn Adaptive Re-Use 1997

Construction Association of Michigan (CAM) Blue Water Plastics Engineering and Research Center  

Paul Harris Fellowship - Rotary International 1987

Community Leader

Novi Planning Board (Past)

Novi Construction Board of Appeals (1998-present)

Novi Historic District Committee (Past Chair)

Novi Chamber of Commerce (Past President)

Novi Rotary Club and Foundation (Past President 1996-97, and 2018-19)

American Institute of Architects (1978-present)

Michigan Architectural Foundation, MAF – Trustee, Finance, Golf, and Scholarship Committees

Michigan Architectural Foundation, MAF ‑ Treasurer, 1994 – 2002

University of Detroit Mercy Alumni Council for Architecture (Past Chair)

Adjunct Professor in Design and Construction Technology of Detroit Mercy (2001-06)

Publications

Construction Association of Michigan, Resource and Crisis Center, CAM Magazine, Oct. 2014

"Applebarn Renovation," Residential Architect Magazine, 2000

"Lake Front Residence," Ann Arbor News, Flint Journal, 1999

"Applebarn Renovation," Detroit News, 1997

"Applebarn Adaptive Re‑Use," AIA Michigan Annual Design Retreat, 1997

"Working with a Landscape Architect," Landsculpter, 1991

"Poplar Creek Music Theatre, Hoffman Estates Illinois,"Architectural Record Magazine, 1982

"Foamade Industries, Auburn Hills, MI," Architectural Record Magazine, 1982

The Applebarn

The Applebarn

an adaptive re-use

This actually starts as a running story! Nearly 30 years ago we lived only a few miles from what would become The Applebarn and our new family home. I was on one of my many runs from my home at that time which took me westerly along Nine Mile Rd. in Novi. Running this route many times I was well aware that there were two houses along this stretch. My favorite was the “yellow” house. I barely gave any consideration to the house that would eventually become our home. But one day as I was running along this route I noticed a small For Sale sign in the yard. It was also obviously a self made type sign, no realtor involved. I remember stopping my run (unheard of at the time) and gave this house and property a serious look. I noticed for the first time ever, a small cottage like structure some distance from the house. It was difficult to see because of the over grown evergreens that practically engulfed the entire structure.

Our family had vacationed many times in the greater Boston and New England area and as a result I gained a new passion for truly older homes and buildings. So there was this thought about inquiring about this property with the idea of potentially moving my four year old architectural business into the cottage building. But because my firm was still young and an architect’s finances are rarely strong, I let at least a week go by before I even mentioned it to my wife as a possibility. But I did mention it, we drove by, made a number of assumptions, including the fact that it was likely way more than we could afford, but made the call to schedule an appointment anyway.

The house had not been lived in for over a year, the owner, a prominent local attorney, had been ill for some time and a representative of his estate, Mary Ellen Caruso Bryne, also an attorney, gave us the tour. The house was not in very good shape, there was evidence of structural failure, leaks, and many upgrades would be required, not to mention very basic re-do of every room! We also toured the outbuilding. Turns out that Mr. McElroy used a part of it as his home office and the other part was a garage for his RV. There was gas and electrical service but no plumbing to the building. Then the magic moment occurred when I popped my head through the roof scuttle of the garage and saw the pattern of the roof trusses. I knew then this would be a special opportunity to convert this building to my office!

We negotiated a bit for the purchase, of what turned out to be a classic Greek Revival home originally constructed in 1832! We also learned through Mary Ellen more of the home’s history, how it was linked to what is now the Shiro Restaurant, the original Ford T-Bird, and more. It was also revealed that the sellers where had turned down previous more lucrative offers from buyers intending to convert the property to a commercial use. They were happy to learn of our goal to restore the property as a residence and the bonus of selling to an alum of the University of Detroit too! Mr. McElroy was also an alum of the University of Detroit and it’s Law School. He passed away shortly after our purchase and we learned that he donated over $1,000,000 to the U-D Law School to sponsor a lecture series. US Supreme Court Justice Scalia visited the school to help initiate the first lecture.

Immediately after closing in early September we had only 30 days to make the house somewhat livable, structural repairs were addressed as old carpets and more were removed. Work to convert the outbuilding to the office began immediately too. We were never without “something” to do or fix for a long time. The following June the office was completed to the point of being able to be occupied. A ton of sweat equity had been invested. So while Mamola Associates Architects was now able to literally work next door, that meant that I was never far from home and of course, home related improvements too

As an architect, I viewed the renovation and alteration of the outbuildings as a demonstration of my design philosophy, where the design solution is a marriage of contextual issues and functional demands. I intended the interior spaces to demonstrate to certain clients that traditional detail cannot only co-exist, but also reinforce a dynamic, comfortable and very functional space.

Upon first entry into the building, one is pleasantly surprised by how the space open and flows.  This is accomplished by the placement of a wall at an oblique angle “hinged” at the intersection of each axis of the rectangular portion of the building.  This wall reinforces a physical link to the studio and a visual flow from the reception area to a common focal point, the wood burning stove.  The cap of the wall is held below the open roof structure to accentuate the character of the space and reinforce a sense of scale.  An existing cupola vent became a clerestory to allow natural light into the studio space.

The Applebarn received an Honor Award For Design Excellence from the American Institute of Architects, AIA, Detroit Chapter in 1997. It also was featured in the inaugural issue of nationally published Residential Architect in 1997.