Runner Spotlight - Colin Schmidt and Richard Goranflo

Meet the youngest and oldest finishers in the Run the 502

Colin Schmidt

 At seven years old, Colin Schmidt was our youngest finisher entering an finishing eight races. With the help of Mom and Dad he was kind enough to answer some questions about his experience.

 Why did you decide to do the Run the 502?  To have fun and get exercise. (Oh and my parents signed the whole family up for the first race.)

 Favorite race of the series? The Independence Day 5K in St Matthews. I saw lots of friends. After the race, there were lots of great treats. Plus, we didn’t have to drive to the starting line!

 Favorite distance? A 5K

 Why do you like running River City Races events? Because they always have nice people. It’s not too long and not too short. The post race treats are always good.

 Do you have any running/walking advice you'd like to offer? When you are running, just keep running. Don’t give up!

 Anything else you'd like to share? I like racing my parents in the races. My mom thinks she can beat me this year. But I’m going to win!

Richard Goranflo

 At eighty-six years old, Richard Goranflo was the oldest finisher in the Run the 502. Richard also entered and finished eight of eight races. Richard was also kind enough to share his experience with us.

 It was a great experience to have been the oldest participant to compete in the “Run the 502” series of races for 2022 – 2023. The “502” offers a ready-made and realistically scheduled lineup of races at great venues. Further, the registration is easy and bundling of some races is appreciated. 

 My first race was the Snowman Shuffle in 2012 at one month short of 65 years of age. I think to this day, that’s why my favorite distance is 4 miles. 

 The Frostbite 5K is also a notable race that usually lives up to it name. The exhilarating temperatures usually add some speed to your pace.

 Some of the races are theme oriented and the costumes of the participants (owners and pets) are very well done showing a lot of time and effort in their creation. Also, in a couple of the events, the usual direction of the run was reversed and added an interesting twist to the race. 

 Running River City Races has always been an easy choice for me. The management has proven to be responsible, dependable, and safety minded. Emails are promptly answered, and any problems are quickly resolved. 

 Regarding advice to other runners, I have found, at least in my case, that there are some days you just don’t feel like running. But wait, don’t let that feeling (or should I say that attitude) fool you. Other than after a few minor injuries, I have always felt better after a run. It’s all about maintaining a positive attitude. Henry Ford’s quote that “the person who says they can’t and the person who says they can, are both right.” This is very applicable to running and it’s your choice which one you will be. 

 I can’t remember ever meeting a grumpy runner. Runners tend to be friendly, good natured, and sociable people. So, get on your running shoes and join the crowd. And by the way, don’t wait until your 65 years old to get started. Good luck.

Runner Spotlight - Kirstin Schmidt

Kirstin tied for most races completed in the Run the 502 so we’re sharing how and why she did it!

My family and I started the 502 race series on a whim.  We thought it would be an event the whole family would enjoy.  Our boys (5 and 7) got their first taste of how great the running community is and our daughter (1) took in the scenes in the double stroller (which was also a rest destination for the boys if they got tired). We thought the 502 series would be a great way to experience more of the Louisville area (since we moved here in 2020) in addition to getting us all to participate in a fun physical family activity. It did not disappoint!

 Picking a favorite race is definitely difficult as each has a fun memory. If forced to pick one, I think I’d say my favorite was the Downtown Doubler in New Albany. I really hadn’t explored that area previously, I loved running along the river and had a great time cheering with my kids for the longer distance racers once we had finished.  We even saw some hot air balloons over the river!

 The 4k distance was nice because my 5 year old can do nearly the whole race without taking any stroller breaks.  I do enjoy chasing my 7 year old in the 5K distance though - he’s speedy and hills don’t slow him down.  My goal this year is to give him a run for his money!

 We love running River City races because they are local, organized, fun and sometimes show you a part of town you may not have seen before. We also like seeing familiar faces - I felt like by the end - we had become part of the local running community.

 My running/walking advice would be just to get out there and have fun. If you were to ask my five year old, he’d tell you that everyone needs an awesome running playlist. Some racers have likely heard his playlist playing from our speaker attached to our jogging stroller!

Runner Spotight - Trisha Perry

Why did you decide to do the Run the 502?

Started off signing up for the Polar Bear Grand Prix and found out about the others in the newsletter, so started signing up. It’s nice to keep it local.

Favorite race of the series?

I liked them all but I like the ones that have shirts I can wear and cutest shirt ever was the “run like someone said treat” from Bark in the Park, it sums up my kitties well.

Favorite distance?

I liked 10k’s but my knees are only good for 5k or so now.

Why do you like running River City Races events?

Ms Camille is the best cheerleader around she’s great and try’s to get things in my size. Also because they offer the virtual option so I don’t feel like I’m holding people up (I’m a true sloth) and I have a few health issues and virtual races give me a little leeway on when I do it.

Do you have any running/walking advice you'd like to offer?

Just do it and shoes make a huge difference

Anything else you'd like to share?

Have fun and thank you to everyone that makes these races possible I appreciate it. 

Runner Spotlight - Rob Shoaf

If you run most any River City Races race, there's been this guy on the lead bike. Rain, sunshine, sleet, snow and freezing temperatures, Rob Shoaf has been out there leading our races.

But who is he? You'd be surprised. He's a former miniMarathon Champion, member of the Auburn University Cross-Country and Track teams and winner of some of the most competitive local road races over the years.

Here, we'll let him tell you.

A little background on me. I was a competitive racer from 1982 to 2002, and continued to run up until 2017, yes, 30 years!, can you believe it. Seriously, even for me it is hard to imagine that running consumed my life for so many years, not just in my training and racing, but also being intimately involved in my running community, the running industry, and an invested commitment to growing the sport.

That said, I hung up my running shoes a few years ago and have since retired from racing, but I am still very much involved in the running community today, volunteering at River City Races, LTCOR, I help race certify and measure courses, and even work RCR aid stations in the dead of winter, brrrr. Thank goodness for warm socks and hot coffee to help us cheer others on. On a side note, be sure to say "thank you" to the volunteers who are out there supporting you for the love of the sport!

I believe that running and walking are great ways to living a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically. As a life long athlete and runner, I discovered that pushing through the pain and limiting beliefs, blocking out distractions, overcoming tough obstacles and injuries, is 80% mental, and just 20% physical.  Doesn't matter how far or how fast you go, just get out there and do it. If you train early in the morning, set your gear out the night before, and if need be, go ahead and sleep in your gear so you can jump out of bed, have your cup of joe, and get one foot out the door. No excuses!  

Today, I get so much joy watching my wife and daughter train and race together, having fun and sometimes overcome big barriers; and as a family we are engaged in the running community helping to grow the sport. And that is so rewarding. I personally cannot remember the number of races I've done, recall all the highs and lows, and there are many, but the story I love telling most, is about my wife and daughter training and finishing the KDF Mini Marathon together, both in 2018 and 2019! Oh yeah, the PR gong was struck in 2019!   Why do you like running River City Races events?What I love most about about River City Races is their frequency throughout the year giving runners and walkers an opportunity to compete and challenge themselves. But also because of races during the winter months that helps you stay sharp, focused, and engaged. The other thing I will say, as a former race director and running club president, is how well organized the RCR events are, not just from an athlete perspective, but also from race direction and organization. Plus, River City Races has cool swag, door prizes, and thoughtful awards! 

Favorite distance:Though to say because I have so many fond memories at a variety of distances, from 5K to 50 miles. Truth is, I've raced more 5K's that any other distance. Why? Because I could race 5k's on the weekends to test my fitness level and speed, yet still get my long run in on Sunday, and fully recovery in less than 2 days; plus I could incorporate the speed work as part of my larger training program. Short story about racing a 5K race in Fort Collins Colorado where I used to live, train, and race. I set my personal best altitude level record, but finished a distant 7th place, and was the second American finisher. The top 5 spots went to the Kenyans. This was a humbling experience. 

Anything else you'd like to share?:Have you ever felt stuck... or do you know people who have been stuck in some part of their life, maybe it's a health or fitness rut, a career rut. I help solve those OMG my plane is crashing problems. Today, through my journey, experience, and knowledge, I help transform lives and empower people to get out of their own way, to breakthrough their limiting beliefs to live a life with passion and purpose. It is something I've done throughout my running career, both professionally and as an athlete, and now I use it to inspire others and give back.

Rob is a 100% volunteer, he won't let us compensate him so the next race, give him a high five and tell him how much you appreciate him keeping everyone on course and safe.

Runner Spotlight - Corey Queen

We have all had struggles and I want to see everyone succeed.

So January of 2021 I tested positive for Covid and would start my journey as a Covid Long Hauler and this would halt my running and all of my fitness. I spent all of 2021 in and out of the hospital and got up to 284lbs. On September 29th, 2021, I had Gastric Sleeve Surgery and have lost over 120 lbs and have kept it off. Since then, I have returned to running and racing this year. So I am releasing everything, including speed I have never had in the previous 12 years of being an endurance athlete.

That being said, as I am rediscovering my new body and new speed, I am not sure what my favorite distance is. As I am rejoining racing, every distance is my favorite distance, because I am moving again, and getting to be active again!

My Running/Walking advice that I have always had since day 1 has always been simple, and I still use it 12 years later: Run The Mile You’re In. Meaning, let go of the last mile you ran, don’t stress about it, or worry about it; and don’t try and calculate how fast you need to run the rest of what you need to do next. All of that will have you not enjoying the NOW that you are in…missing the whole point of why we are out there.

Running River City Races is like all of the best parts of a high school reunion 😜. I’m not only surrounded by the running community, but it is always people that I know and haven’t seen in a while, so the post race good feeling is compounded by friendship love and showering each other with unselfish pride and love.

Running, like anything else is hard. Stick with it. One step at a time and lean on the community’s around you. We have all had struggles and I want to see everyone succeed.