Runners Spolight,  Uncategorized

Runner’s Spotlight: Angi

March 20, 2024 /

Welcome to my new bi-weekly series where I will be sharing some of my friends’ experiences with running. Running has been an integral part of my weekly routine for the past 3 years, so I am excited to share it with you. Welcome to Angi who is in her late 40s and a mom of 2.

How and when did you start running?

I developed a love for running in elementary school. I was always the fastest girl in my class and only came in second to my good friend Chris Harmon.  I started officially running on my Junior High cross country team and then ran cross country and track in high school. I continued running for exercise and competed in road races while in college. I also ran a lot of college due to soccer practices and games. I have always been a runner, but sometimes taking long periods off due to seasons of life. I am excited to be in this season of life where I have one child in college and one who turned sixteen in November, therefore I have a lot more time that I can dedicate to hobbies like running.

Fun fact: My old track coach from McMinn High School in Athens, TN  is the throwing coach for Darlington’s track team. It was so much fun to see him again at my daughter’s track meet last year.

What keeps you running?

It is a great cheap way to get exercise. It also helps me keep my sanity. I tend to have issues with anxiety if I do not exercise regularly.

Do you have any goals associated with your running?

My goal is pretty simplistic, it is to continue to run consistently. I think I may set some race number goals for my 50th birthday which is fast approaching.

What do you like the best/least about running?

I love how I feel when I run and being in nature. I also love the people that I have met through running. The least thing I like about running is the first mile or running in very cold conditions.

Share running story or adventure you’ve had (can be funny, a struggle, injury…)

My favorite race that I have competed in so far is a Ragnar race, The Bourbon Chase. This race takes place in Kentucky along the Bourbon Trail. You race with a team of 10 teammates and by the end of the race your team has completed 200 miles and each team member has completed three legs of the race. I have participated in this race twice. The first time that I participated in this race, I entered a dance competition at the kick-off party in order to try to win a pair of Brooks running shoes. Well, I won those shoes, but I also injured myself. I was wearing wedges with my 1960’s costume (the theme of the race was 1960’s) when I did what I am sure was a killer dance move when my foot turned and caused the wedge to go sideways. I did not realize I was injured until I completed my first leg which was an eight mile leg with lots of hills. I was able to see a personal trainer and have my groin area wrapped and completed my second leg at a faster pace However, as I went to warm up for my third leg I could not even hit my stride without having terrible pain in my groin area. Fortunately, my husband was one of our van drivers and he completed most of my third leg for me with our team captain finishing the last three miles. My last leg was a path that went through some of the most beautiful horse farms in Eastern Kentucky. I was so sad not to be able to complete that leg. The story however ends on a happy note. Two years later, I ran the Bourbon Chase again and was finally able to run that third leg. It was a beautiful run, our team hit our time goal and we all celebrated with a shot of Kentucky Bourbon.

Hope you enjoyed our first of my new bi-weekly series: Runner’s Spotlight.

A bientôt!

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