I started running Track late in high school, with the intent of off-season conditioning for soccer. After some success and prodding from a teammate, I gave up soccer my senior year to run Cross Country in the Fall. I was lucky to get noticed by a Bellarmine coach, and spent my college years running as a Knight. Thanks to some very patient and wise coaches and a supportive and competitive team, I developed and learned so much in those years and running became as much (maybe more?) of a passion for me as any other pursuit. I now coach Bellarmine's Women's Track and Cross Country teams. My time as a coach has been equally marked by learning and growth, but the guiding values that I observed in my own coaches remain unchanged: genuine selflessness and unconditional care for the whole person.
I have been running competitively for 12 years (including a spell away from running and racing, due to injury/illness). Running remains a passion for me and I expect to maintain a life-long relationship with it. One of the most helpful perspectives that I've learned is to understand that a relationship with running is much like a relationship with a person, career, faith, or anything that you value. It requires growth and nurturing to last. The effortless interest, joy, and motivation that you might experience early-on doesn't always hang around. It might come and go. And feeling guilty about that or denying it often isn't productive. Be intentional about appreciating what running gives you, especially when it's feeling more effortful. Make time and space to reflect on and learn from important moments in your running. Stay humble and admit when not giving attention to little things leads to bigger problems. And don't think that just because you don't feel "in-love" with running, that you don't still love it.
I've raced every distance from the 400-meter dash to the marathon. In the years that I was physically unable to run, I spent a lot of time cycling and taught myself to swim, so now, I also compete in triathlons in the summer. Although I certainly identified as a miler in high school and college, these days, I really don't have a "favorite" distance and I like to shift focus around various distances throughout the year or years. I really like running River City Races, because I know they will always be well-produced. From their small races to their bigger partnerships with the Louisville Triple Crown, their attention to the details that matter over flashy features makes for a smooth and top-notch experience for the runners; and their whole team has extensive experience and knowledge of the sport.
*Angela is part of the runnningly talented Musk family. She and sister Flannery went 1-2 at the 2019 Urban Bourbon Half Marathon.