A bit about you:
I’m not what you would call a natural athlete. I used to HATE running. I mean really loathe it. I have always struggled with my weight and in college (circa 2003) I decided to take a conditioning class to fulfill a Phys Ed requirement and jump start my latest attempt at losing weight. I had no problem with the weight training and even enjoyed some of the aerobic classes we did, but when it came to running I was always the slowest and last to finish. It was embarrassing enough that I was over 200lbs but to have all your classmates waiting for you (and not really cheering or encouraging you) was enough to make me cry. And I did. In front of the entire class at the final exam. We had to do a one mile time trial on a humid May afternoon. I don’t do well in heat ever, much less with so much extra weight. So it took me nearly 20 painful, slow, agonizing minutes. I was done. I hung up my sneakers and vowed to never run again unless being chased by wolves…
Fast forward to my post college days, I was in a happy relationship but still on my up and down roller coaster with my weight so my, then boyfriend, now husband, and I started regularly working out. Slowly the weight began to come off little by little but I still REFUSED to run. Until one day my husband told me he was going to start running on the indoor track at our gym and he challenged me to run with him. So I did. Then he challenged my to run a race, more on that specific race later, and I did that too. And I was hooked! Now, over a decade later, I’ve completed 2 marathons, 20 half marathons, and so many 5k,u10k, and shorter distance races that I’ve lost track. Something I never dreamed I would do, much less want to do!
It's taken hard work and finding my tribe to keep me running. I wouldn't have been able to accomplish all that craziness without the support and encouragement of my husband and my Fleet Feet Family - the Louisville Distance Project training program I joined in 2013. Even crazier, I’m now the Head Coach of that same program!
It’s incredible the journey that running has taken me on. It’s been my comfort, joy, stress relief, my inspiration, humbling, and empowering all at once. My training partners have become my family and friends for life. If you had shown the girl I was back in college a picture of who I am now, she never would have believed it. It just goes to show how much running can impact your life if you have the courage to let it. All you have to do is lace up those shoes and take the first step.
Favorite distance:
Half Marathons are my favorite - long enough that you need to train well to do well and short enough that I’m not wiped out for two days afterwards!
Do you have any running advice you'd like to offer?:
Find a training partner!
The people we run with can help keep you out of your head on particularly tough runs, they can pull you through, distract you, or just run quietly along side. They’re there to tell you when you’re being dumb (running through injury) and to celebrate your victories big or small. They keep you accountable to yourself and your training and if you’re a good training partner (and friend) you do the same for them. I’d be lost without my run family!
Why do you like running River City Races events?:
My first River City Race was the Reindeer Romp 4K in December 2007, it was actually my very first race EVER! The weather was awful, truly! It had snowed the night before and then turned to a slushy soup the morning of the race but we still did it. I remember getting to the finish line and crying. It wasn’t because I was first, I’m sure I was much closer to last, but because I finished. I completed something I never thought I wanted to do. It was an incredible feeling and I’ve been hooked ever since. RCR does an amazing job managing and hosting their races every year and as long as Camille, Lyndsey and the rest of the team keeping putting them on I’ll be there to run them!
Anything else you'd like to share?:
When I'm not running, which isn't often, I work as the Event & Volunteer Supervisor for a local non-profit called Brightside where we strive to keep Louisville cleaner and greener for all community members. I'm married to the same guy, Gil, who got me started running all those years ago and we have a spunky little girl name Kira who’s often along for the run in her stroller!
If you ever see me out running or at a race come say Hi! I love meeting new people and getting to hear your stories and I'm happy to answer any questions you have about running or what kind of crazy you have to be to run as many races as I have. We have a pretty incredible community of runners here in Louisville and I'm so glad to be a part of it.