Getting to Know...Kelly

1. How would you describe your running 10 years ago?

That would have made me 16, a sophomore in high school. I was playing soccer and tennis during the year and swimming competitively in the summers. But running? Uh, unless I was chasing after something, or I was being chased, there was no running. No, that did not make sense to me! I'm not sure it makes sense to me now either! - But at least there's a love that has grown for it through the miles.

2. What is your best and worst run/race experience?
I'm a newbie at the races - I've only ran a 5k in Indy during the winter donning jingle bells and the half in Louisville with Amber, Kat, Sarah & Meredith. I loved the Indy race because it was downtown and there were so many people just running - I had never seen anything like it. The race was pure adrenaline because I was just so excited. I hadn't felt that way about running before. The half was an incredible experience - even the 4 months of training was such an awesome challenge. The weekend of the race blew me away - being with the girls, achieving our goals, being a part of such a cool adventure, and then crossing that finish line - It was far more spiritual and emotional than I ever would have guessed. That race has spurred me on to do the full in October.

The worst experience so far has been the current training! After running the half at the end of April, I took about 40 days off - literally no running, then jumped into the training plan with the mileage too quickly. I've really done something wicked to my left knee and haven't been able to do 3 consecutive miles since that first week. I'm frustrated, nervous that I'll fall behind, sore & tight, but doing everything that I can think of to stay "in the running" for the race even though I'm technically not running. (Gotta love the bike, elliptical, lunges, weights, Pilate's, ball, and stair climber...no, definitely hate the stair climber)

3. What are your top 5 running songs?
I actually haven't been running with music until recently. My sister-in-law sent me an mp3 player for my birthday and Wow! now I'm a huge fan :) She filled it with a whole bunch of worship songs. I have loved running to them - there's something about having my body fully engaged, matching my heart & mind that makes it a great time with the Lord. So, my #1 song is "Your Grace is Enough" by Chris Tomlin. I'm really feeling that one every time. I also find myself repeating: "Yesterday, Today and Forever" by Vicky Beeching. And perhaps surprisingly, Josh Groban's "Your are Loved" (Don't Give Up) - its a slower song but there's a strong pulse, the words are so fitting, and it builds up into a great crescendo that pushes me to take the run to the next level. But I'm always looking for new tunes - send the suggestions my way!

4. What is your favorite pre-race meal?

Oh I'm all about the spaghetti dinner with friends! I couldn't think of a better way to spend the meal!

5. What is your favorite post-race meal?

Mmmm, I just like the opportunity to choose whatever I want!

In all reality though, my stomach usually feels too tight to eat much more than a banana...although milkshakes go down pretty good. :)

6. Where is your favorite place to run?

Tough call. I know where I hate to run but I don't know if I've found a favorite yet. I have this idea of a boardwalk at sunrise overlooking a beautiful shore. Any ideas? I haven't done that yet, I don't know, maybe it smells like fish. And I haven't technically "run" here but I have hiked Stanley Park in Vancouver Canada and I would love to go back. Just utterly beautiful and almost invites you to run on its trails.

7. Why do you want to run the Columbus Marathon on October 19th, 2008?
I'm doing the marathon because it very recently became a goal - since doing the half marathon. I never imagined I would even want to run 13 miles so when I completed it, it was like "well, this is as close as I might ever get to the full...might as well." I would like to incorporate running into my lifestyle, not just for a season of training but for health. The discipline for the training and the awesome payoff of completing a marathon is really just a means to an end. I want to be wholly/holy healthy.