Michael has been running since 2001. He prefers mid-distance (10 km to half marathon), though he completed the National Capital Marathon in 2004—and now takes all those injury prevention warnings more seriously! After years of unsuccessful treatments for plantar fasciitis he is now focusing on strength building and gait change for improved biomechanics. Besides running Michael also swims with the Ottawa Rideau Speedeaus.
Michael developed the first Ottawa Frontrunners Web site, and has contributed to the club in various other capacities. He works at the World Wide Web Consortium, developing standards to make Web pages accessible to people with disabilities, work which frequently sends him to meetings in various parts of the world. He sporadically maintains a personal Web site at aihal.net. Outside of these activiites he makes chocolates and pottery and plays french horn.
