Community Fridays > What I am LOVING in the Running Community
This week has been a busy week over here – I can hardly believe it is Friday?! But, hey I am NOT complaining. My sister-in-law’s sweet 16 is today and we are celebrating tomorrow with a fun, family get together. I am more than ready to unplug and unwind with family, good food, and good conversation, but until then, I wanted to share a few things that I am loving in the Running Community this Friday!
Before I dive head first into a much needed, unplugged weekend, I want to share my quickly becoming favorite post of the week with you all. COMMUNITY FRIDAYS! What is Community Fridays?
Basically, community Fridays is a day that I am dedicating to the running community. There is something special about cheering others on and sharing good news with other people. Whether that’s an inspiring runner, a good sale on running clothes (who doesn’t love that?!) or an encouraging story, I want to have Fridays be a day of celebration – celebrating real runner’s, real stories, and encouraging others in their own running journey! Basically, Fridays are going to be my new, favorite, on the blog, day of the week! SO, if you know of an inspiring runner or an encouraging running related story, or you want to share YOUR running story (and want to be featured!) make sure to email me at coachbethanythompson@gmail.com. I would LOVE to feature YOU!
Inspiring Runners
Des Linden – This week, I wanted to feature one of my favorite professional runners for a couple reasons – one, she is amazing and fast. And two she is running the NYC marathon this Sunday! We have quite the lineup for American women on Sunday and I couldn’t be more excited to see what they all are going to do on Sunday. But, back to Des. Des is one of the most consistent, American marathoners out there. She placed second at Boston in 2011 by a mere two seconds and has come crazy close for nearly a decade of any major marathon victories. Yet, after a decade of persistence, courage, and tenacity, Des won the Boston marathon in some of the worst conditions than ever before. I respect, admire, and love her consistency and diligence in chasing after her dreams. As Des puts it, “Keep showing up.” SO excited to see what is ahead for her, in NYC this Sunday!
Stephanie Bruce
Stephanie is another professional runner, mom of two, and marathoner. She represents HokaOneOne and has such a cool story. I recently got to ‘know’ (i.e. learn about Stephanie) through the Allie on the Run Show (which I love) and was so encouraged by her story. She stepped back from running profressionally, to have her first child and shortly after having her first son, got pregnant with her second. She talked a lot about listening to her body and being okay with the ‘off’ seasons (which really resonated with me since I listened to that podcast through my injury.) Now, though she is chasing down big goals, healthy, and racing at a high level. She is running the NYC marathon, too and I can’t wait to see what is ahead for Steph. Through her different seasons of running, Stephanie put it this way, “A few years ago my story was always how smart can I be, how much should I listen to my body, and how slowly I can build up after giving birth to my 2 kids. That storyline is old and washed up. Now it’s finding toughness over complacency, it’s gritting out 1 more mile repeat when you’re on empty. What limits can be pushed each training cycle. And each step I can run with Kellyn my confidence grows. You can always change your narrative when you’re ready.” LOVE this. I have so appreciated her being able to be fully present, wherever she is – off season and heavy training season.
SO excited to see what is ahead for these two amazing runners and eager to follow their journey!
I am going to keep it short and sweet today. Hope you all have an awesome weekend!