Runner’s Spotlight: Mark H.

I am so thankful for my running community and for everyone who has been willing to share their running journey with us.  Wire to Wire Running Club has developed a wonderful sense of community and support for runners of all abilities and backgrounds. You do not have to be a fast runner who runs races all of the time to join! You can always find someone who wants to run at your pace and some great friendships have blossomed thanks to our running club. Thank you, Mark H for being willing to share your running journey with us. There will be a follow up post next week with Mark’s Life Lessons learned from running.

1.How and when did you start running?

I have never been the athletic type. In fact, I would see people running around town in the extreme heat or cold and think “those people are crazy!” Now I’m one of those crazy people! As I got into my late 30’s and early 40’s, I wanted to try to get in better shape. I would go to the gym and try different things, but nothing ever really stuck. I was afraid of running because of stories I heard about how it damaged people’s knees, so I stayed on the elliptical machine. But one day, I tried the treadmill and it was not that bad. But the scene in front of me was always the same, so I wondered what it would be like to take it outdoors. It was glorious! I enjoyed exploring new places. Then I also started seeing the effects of running. I joined a fitness program at work and during the first six months, the exercises we did, coupled with the running I started doing more often (7-8 miles a week at that point) and better nutrition enabled me to lose more than 60 pounds. That was 2018 and I have maintained that weight loss and gained a lot of fitness and strength. I entered some races and enjoyed the challenge of trying to finish a 5K.

The one of me looking sad is kind of a joke. It was taken on the first day of the fitness challenge I did at work and I wanted to do one of those “before” photos that you see in commercials where they always look so sad before they lose a lot of weight.

Then I realized I was getting faster. I met David Matherne after the Glow Run in 2020 and he invited me to the run club. It was great to meet other runners of all types and abilities and I enjoyed the variety of type of runs and the friends I was making. I eventually asked David to train me. He taught me a lot of techniques I still utilize and helped me hone my skills.

2. What keeps you running?

Running, as it is for many people, became an emotional outlet as I struggled through a divorce and being separated from my children. They had moved to Oregon and I was not sure when I would see them again. But I wanted to be the heathiest person in all aspects for them. During runs, I would sometimes picture them in the distance and would see how fast I could run to them.

I have not been reunited with my children yet and have not heard from them in more than 10 years. But since then, I remarried and have inherited a beautiful family, including 5 grandchildren. They have not replaced my children, but have been an amazing blessing, so I want to be my healthiest self for them as well.

I also realized that If I stood behind what I believed as a follower of Jesus and wanted to love him with all my strength, that included being in good health. So, the most important thing that keeps me running is my desire to honor God and to take care of what he has given me. Also, I have learned a lot of life lessons from running (these will be shared in next week’s post). It helps me stay focused on goals, teaches me determination and the races help me aim for something to achieve. And I do love just enjoying the run. Whenever I see a sunny day, I yearn to get out there on a trail and run. It’s a great way to start the day too.

3. Do you have goals associated with your running?

I do have some specific time goals for races still and am becoming more interested in longer distance running. I realize as I get older, I am naturally becoming slower, but that’s ok. I am still competitive and still do well for my age at races. I am currently training for the half marathon in Chickamauga in November and hope to do it in 1:38:00.

But most importantly, I want to be able to keep running strong and without injury and hopefully inspire others to run or get/stay healthy.

I want to be able to give glory to Jesus through my running, It is he who made me fast and he is often the one coaching me these days, encouraging me with a still small voice to keep going, speed up and also slow down as needed.

4. What do you like best/least about running?

I love how running allows one to explore different places and that you can do it anywhere. I also love the camaraderie in the running community. I have met so many wonderful people and I love the time I have spent on runs with people, getting to know them, sharing about our struggles and victories and celebrating milestones and special achievements in all aspects of life both on and off the trail. It’s fun to show up at a race and feel like Norm from Cheers – where everyone knows your name.

What I don’t like is chaffing. Nuff said. I also don’t like how addicted I have become to my watch and how I let hit affect me emotionally and therefore affect my pace. My advice: Don’t look at your watch too much and do runs without it or cover it up.

5. Share a running story/adventure

I have been running less than 10 years, but I have already had many stories to tell. One of the most interesting races I have run was the Conquer the Cave 5K in Alabama where I ran through a cave. That was a scary adventure!

A couple of memorable races for me were the ones I ran with Richard R. I say WITH because I know, even though he could have blasted by me, he stayed with me to encourage me and spur me on. I know he could have gone faster because he was actually talking to me at what was my race pace/no-taking pace! He would remind me to get air in my lungs, relax, run tall and would just be by my side reminding me that “I got this.” That, to me, is a demonstration of the caring community of runners and stands out to me as an example of how we care for one another, A 15-year-old elite runner also did that for me at the Glow Run a couple of years ago. Micah S. even let me beat him at the end. He kept encouraging me the last part of the race. I want to be that kind of runner for others.

Actually, I sort of was not too long ago. A few years back at the 5K in Euharlee David G. was like a phantom who mysteriously appeared at various part of the course. I don’t think I was the only person he was cheering on, but he would give me reminders and encouragement every time I saw him- again, reminding me, in his gruff military-style manner, to “keep those legs up” or “put those shoulders down” or just pushing me on as if I was one of his high schoolers he coached.

Last year, I decided to do that for Mike L.R. when he ran the Clocktower 5K. I would show up at various parts of the course and encourage him. I also ran with him the last part of the race and veered off right before he crossed the finish line. I hope that encouraged him. I know it surprised him!

Running has truly become a passion and has been a life-saver for me. I hope to have many more adventures and hopefully inspire many to run their race with endurance, keeping their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.”

A bientôt!

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