Saturday, March 2, 2024

March Madness Challenge

 March Madness Challenge



Wooo! We have a new Challenge for March! It's March Madness themed 🏀 and the information on how to score points is in this handy dandy PDF.
Basically, 1 point per mile ran/walked OR per 30 minutes of other activity types. Whole points only. Roll over some of the non-run/walk minutes to the next day(s) if you need to.
We've also got a handy recording chart through Google Sheets here
(That link should help you generate your own copy you can edit at will!)

Member Spotlight on Tracy A.

 

Member Spotlight on Tracy A.

Check out this fun spotlight on Tracy!


Hometown:
 Louisville


How long have you been a member of SRTT?  A year - I joined because the moment I ran upon these ladies during last year's Norton Training Program, I knew they were my crew...they were kind, welcoming, supportive, encouraging, interval runners (like me) and not so concerned with pace but just enjoying the run.


Why do you Run? Why not? I love the challenges it presents, the people I've met, the distances I've accomplished, the places that races take me, how it makes me feel and all the health benefits that come along with it.


Favorite non-running workout: Eek! I know I should cross-train but...


What is the one thing you absolutely need to run? My dog, Shadow. Aside from her...hydration!


What is your favorite post-run indulgence? Coffee...does that count? I don't eat sugar :(


What was your favorite race and why? All - they each bring something different and unique - crowd, location, food, energy, swag


What is your bucket list race? NYC Marathon - slow & steady to take it all in!


Do you call yourself a runner? If so, at what point in your journey did that happen? Yes, when I put down my last cigarette and purchased my first pair of running shoes


What is your favorite thing about being an SRTT member? Just one? Women supporting women!


What have you struggled with during your running journey and did you find a solution? Some aches & pains and having to take time off either from injury or life - finding "my shoe" (after many failed attempts - Thanks Fleet Feet for an awesome return policy!) and that running isn't going anywhere so just enjoy every run, every struggle, every success


What three things do you most want to accomplish (running or non-running related)? 

The Ultra that I'm currently training for, be an inspiration to others, to complete my journey of being baptized (March 2024)





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Thursday, February 1, 2024

February Challenge - Share the Love!

 FEBRUARY CHALLENGE! 

Who's ready for February? January was a rough year. 🤣

February is the month of love. We are focusing on SELF-LOVE. Below is a graphic with daily affirmations to practice. Feel free to print and color or save to your phone and mark off each day and share with the group how you're showing kindness to yourself each day.


We are also participating in Share the Run this month. Fleet Feet, Saucony, and Black Girls RUN are collaborating for this event with the goal of collectively running or walking enough miles to circle the globe - 24,902. This is FREE; all you have to do is register, set a mileage goal of at least 20 miles of running or walking for the month, and log your miles - easy peasy! The deadline to register is February 19. At the end, you will get $10 off $50 at Fleet Feet and enter to win 2 giveaways from Saucony. 

Be sure to share your runfies and walkfies on social media with #SharetheRunChallenge24 and tag @saucony @fleetfeetsports and @officialblackgirlsrun . They also have Instagram story templates to use. Click the link to register and start moving!




Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Member spotlight on Dianne B.

 

Member Spotlight on Dianne B.

Check out this fun spotlight on Dianne!







Hometown:  Louisville


How long have you been a member of SRTT?  I'm really not sure, but I can say that I have only been an active participant for a year. I wanted to expand my opportunities to meet other runners and I was looking for inspiration.


Why do you Run? There are so many reasons why I run. The most important reason is that pushing myself physically helps to maintain a healthy mental state for me. Like many people, running is like meditation to me. I also am grateful for the friendships I've developed with other runners. My running friends are always cheering me on in all areas of my life. And lastly, I enjoy running in parks - the sunshine, the birds, early morning fog- all of these things have enrich my daily life.


Favorite non-running workout: Yoga at the Northeast Y


What is the one thing you absolutely need to run? My watch! I run intervals and I would be lost without it.


What is your favorite post-run indulgence? If it's a long run, a warm shower and a nap!


What was your favorite race and why? Midway Mini Marathon - We ran very near beautiful horse farms. The horses were enjoying running with us.

What is your bucket list race? Queen Bee in Cincinnati (I think it's going to happen this year.)

Do you call yourself a runner? If so, at what point in your journey did that happen? Yes, I'm a runner. I've been a member of FF's mini marathon training programs for years. I learned through the strong women in the group, that if you run, you're a runner. No buts.


What is your favorite thing about being an SRTT member? SRTT is a very supportive group. We champion all runners. I appreciate all of the "likes and loves" I get from people who cheer on my littlest victories.


What have you struggled with during your running journey and did you find a solution? I used to really worry about my slow pace. I didn't run consistently through the year so I don't see significant gains in pace. The first book a read about slow running was The Accidental Athlete by John Bingham. He's very inspiring and wrote for Runner's World for many years. After that, I read Running for Mortals and other very good books about adults that became athletes later in life. I don't worry about pace but I do concentrate on other goals that keep me running.


What three things do you most want to accomplish (running or non-running related)?

1. I'm retired from teaching and it's time to travel! My husband and I have a trip planned to Europe in June. I want to run under the Eiffel Tower!

2. I want to backpack now that I have the time. I've signed up for a Hike 365 miles challenge this year.

3. I want to develop a healthy stretching and strength training routine. I've been experimenting with a few things and I think that this will happen this year.



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Sunday, January 28, 2024

Member Spotlight on Melissa M.

 Check out this fun spotlight on Melissa!

Melissa in a fun post-run pose

Hometown:  I grew up in Michigan, but now I consider La Grange, KY my home


How long have you been a member of SRTT?  I've been a member for only a few months. I was invited by some wonderful ladies at The Big Run 5K in June 2023. I put it off for a while thinking I wasn't a "real runner". But I joined because one of those ladies ran with Kiki during the run, and a couple others were playing tag and not at all seriously racing. Kiki talked my ear off about it until I finally joined.


Why do you Run?  I run to be healthier and to prove to myself that I can. I grew up obese throughout childhood and became morbidly obese as an adult. I was never able to run more than a few feet as a child, and I could barely walk as an adult. All of my outdoor activities were off-limits. No kayaking, biking, climbing, etc. Now, I am training for a half marathon, and I'm able to do so much more. I can chase my kids and volunteer for their functions. I can climb and kayak and bike and swim and do ALL THE THINGS! So of course, I want to do all the things, and you'll see me post about them!


Favorite non-running workout: Kayaking or rock climbing.


What is the one thing you absolutely need to run? Shoes? I don't think I'd get far running barefoot.

What is your favorite post-run indulgence? Water! But chocolate cake pop runs a close second.

What was your favorite race and why? Gourdy's Pumpkin Run, because we do it as a larger family and carry ridiculously sized pumpkins for running then go home and forget to carve them.

Melissa carrying a pumpkin during Gourdy's Pumpkin Run

What is your bucket list race? A marathon - Hawaii would be nice since there's no time limit. And maybe a half triathlon distance (70.3)

Do you call yourself a runner? If so, at what point in your journey did that happen? I'm working on it. It's happening more often... After enough positive peer pressure from SRTT, and only recently.


What is your favorite thing about being an SRTT member? All the support and encouragement and teasing and griping and being human together.


What have you struggled with during your running journey and did you find a solution? Weight loss and feeling like a "real runner". The second part I didn't find the solution. The solution continues to find me. (Thanks!) Weight loss is hard because I need fuel and protein and enough to run on and build, but not enough to store. I'm at a plateau right now and trying to accept it until "this too shall pass".


What three things do you most want to accomplish (running or non-running related)?

Marathon under 6 hours, finishing a half triathlon, paying off my house



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Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Member Spotlight on Kassidy C.

Check out this fun spotlight on Kassidy!



Hometown:  Valparaiso, IN 


How long have you been a member of SRTT?  I have been a member of SRTT for less than a year. I joined to find a sense of community and belong among other runners. I also wanted a safe space as a female runner to talk about the struggles and successes as female runners. 


Why do you Run?  I run to challenge myself. I hated running growing up, but last year I challenged myself to start running, and now I love it! Running gives me an outlet on stressful days and a fun challenge on the good days.


Favorite non-running workout: HIIT- style dance workouts by EMKFit


What is the one thing you absolutely need to run? A distraction LOL

What is your favorite post-run indulgence? An Acai bowl with lots of fruit and peanut butter

What was your favorite race and why? My favorite race had to be Urban Bourbon 2023! It was my first half marathon which was daunting but also fun! Despite a knee injury I ended up finishing with a better time than I expected. I also loved all of the training runs leading up to the race and having SRTT ladies there support us at the water stop!

What is your bucket list race? The Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World

Do you call yourself a runner? If so, at what point in your journey did that happen? I do call myself a runner. The turning point in my running journey when I finally felt like a runner was during UBHM training last year when I ran 10 miles for the first time! It was my first time running double digits and my first time trying gels.


What is your favorite thing about being an SRTT member? The community! I love seeing everyone's posts on the facebook group and catching up during group runs


What have you struggled with during your running journey and did you find a solution? I've struggled a lot with motivation throughout my running journey. This is definitely something I still struggle with, but I find it easier when I don't put so much pressure on myself to run a certain pace/distance/time. It helps not having that pressure of hitting a number goal and just going out and remembering that running is fun!


What three things do you most want to accomplish (running or non-running related)?

1) Run a marathon before I turn 26 

2) Inspire others to start their running journey no matter their age/pace/etc.

3)Complete the Dopey Challenge!



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Wednesday, January 10, 2024

SRTT Member Spotlight: Melissa Davis

 

Member Spotlight on Melissa D.



Check out this fun spotlight on Melissa D.


Hometown:  Louisville/LaGrange


How long have you been a member of SRTT? I think I joined in 2017 but I wanted to meet more like-minded women and make more running friends.


Why do you Run? I mostly run to stay active but I've also found it's been good for my mental health. As a therapist, I deal with a lot of heavy stuff day-to-day so it's good for me that run that sh*t off.



Favorite non-running workout: It was once soccer but now I'd say cycling though it should be strength training 🤪

What is the one thing you absolutely need to run? A sports bra!

What is your favorite post-run indulgence? Chocolate Milk

What was your favorite race and why? I love the IHR Thanksgiving race. I love seeing the community together, the opportunity for everyone to win a prize, the long uphill struggle, and the speed of the downhill finish. It's the best!.

What is your bucket list race? I need to think about this. I just finished Indy Monumental marathon & haven't thought about another race 🤣.


Do you call yourself a runner? If so, at what point in your journey did that happen?
I think it took a long time to call myself a runner. I signed up for my first half marathon with a goal of finishing without puking. After several races and a couple of years of training for said, I realized I really WANTED to run. I think that's when I started calling myself a runner.


What is your favorite thing about being an SRTT member? I love the friendships I've developed as well as the support and comradery. I love that no matter the journey, this group supports it's members.


What have you struggled with during your running journey and did you find a solution? Hip pain/ glute weakness has sidelined me several times in the past few years. I know what I need to do to manage it but admittedly I'm not always consistent *see strength training as indictated above*


What three things do you most want to accomplish (running or non-running related)?

I want to be stronger

Commit to HR training

Try for another sub 2 half someday





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