Member Spotlight on Mary J.

 Check out this fun spotlight on Mary J.

Hometown:  Louisville, KY

How long have you been a member of SRTT? Why did you join? Joined the group on 5/29/2023 to find other ladies to run with that wouldn't mind that I am a bit slow. I really enjoy the posts and the inspiring ladies in this group. I attended my first Alpha run on 7/15/2023 and made a couple of new friends. SRTT is an awesome community of badass women!

Why do you Run? Running is part 3 of my fitness journey that started when I turned 50. Part 1 was losing over 100 lbs and restoring my health. Part 2 was finding a gym and trainers to help me become stronger and maintain my weight loss. I started running in the fall, 2023 to prepare for a Hyrox relay competition in Chicago with some amazing athletes from my gym. I kept running because I wanted to improve my endurance and heart health while also enjoying the camaraderie with running/gym friends. I love how many inspiring people I have met along this journey and how running specifically has improved my fitness level.

Favorite non-running workout: HIIT workouts at Elevate Fitness 502

What is the one thing you absolutely need to run? Shoes (lots of shoes) that fit well in fun colors!

What is your favorite post-run indulgence? Ice cream

What was your favorite race and why? 2022 Hungry Turkey 5k. It was hard. It was my first running 5k EVER and I surprised myself with the sense of accomplishment of completing it with a respectable time. The race boosted my confidence in doing physically hard things. It nearly quieted my middle school gym teacher's voice telling me I was fat and lazy.

What is your bucket list race? Triple Crown 15k

Do you call yourself a runner? If so, at what point in your journey did that happen?  I haven't arrived at that point yet. I am still riding the Struggle Bus!

What is your favorite thing about being an SRTT member? Making new badass women friends 

What have you struggled with during your running journey and did you find a solution? I continue struggling with running past 1 mile without taking walk breaks. My HR rises to the max zone pretty quickly if I am running much faster than 5 mph. I aspire to find the zone at which I can run 5-6 miles with minimal breaks.

What three things do you most want to accomplish (running or non-running related)? I want to age gracefully, help other women reach their potential professionally, and be an inspiration to other people who might need a boost to start their own health and fitness journey.

3 September Monthly Challenges are Now Available!

 September challenges are now available!

September monthly challenges are ready to go!

This month there are 3 challenges to choose from: The STEPtember Challenge, the Zooma Back to School Challenge and the Team Challenge.

The STEPtember Challenge is great because it works for people of all abilities and goals. Each member sets a goal either daily or for the month and shares it in the group. Then their daily posts reflect their progress!

For example: You could set a goal of at least 8,000 steps a day every day and your update would be "Day 6/30 for 8,000 steps a day...I made it happen today with a dog walk and a zillion loads of laundry brought upstairs!"

OR

You set a goal of 300,000 steps for the month. Your update could look like "28,000 of 300,000 for the month! Took it easy with just 6,000 today resting up for my half marathon tomorrow!"

ZOOMA has a Back to School Challenge happening! This was a pre-registration event. "The ZOOMA Back to School Challenge is designed to help you finish the summer season on a strong note and prep you for fall running. We’ll do weekly, alphabet-inspired strength/agility workouts to help you run strong and injury free."

The Team Challenge is back! This is a Louisville Chapter Favorite. This challenge puts members together in teams of 12-14 ladies. The goal is to support and encourage one another to meet monthly goals (and make some new friends along the way)! Pre-registration is required and now closed.