My name is Heather Caudill and I became a runner in January 2011. I had always been active and loved exercising, especially cardio! I was growing tired of my fitness regimen. I was a mom to three daughters all under the age of 5 at the time. They were 4, 2 and 1. I was a stay at home mom and DESPERATELY needed a healthy outlet for stress.
Living in the Highlands, it seemed like everyone ran. I only ran as a means for conditioning for other sports. I didn’t like it but I never really gave it a chance either. Knowing people who ran, I learned about the Triple Crown. I love a good goal so I told my husband I was going to start running. His response was “But you don’t like to run.” I said, “I know, but the people I see running seem to enjoy it. They wouldn’t do it if they hated it.” Towards the end of January 2011, I gave myself a birthday (Jan 28) gift. I signed up for the Triple Crown AND the miniMarathon.
I seriously don’t think I’d ever run over a mile in my life! I told ya I love a good goal!!
I immediately started training having not a single clue what I was doing. I pulled out the only tennis shoes I had in my closet and they were years old. Again, totale newbie here! I gathered advice from friends, read articles and started out slow. I also began running with the KDF group on the weekends. After my first 5 miler, my knees were ON FIRE! I thought I’d never walk right, let alone run again. A nice gentleman asked me several questions and told me I needed to go see Jeff Wells at Fleet Feet Sports. The very next day, I went to Fleet Feet. I met Jeff and his staff. Rachel fitted me for my first real pair of running shoes. I got Mizuno Wave Riders, inserts and socks. (This is where my love affair with $15 socks began!) Jeff showed me how to love my muscles and invited me to training runs.
I healed up just enough the week of Anthem 5k. I went on to finish the series. I was running regularly with Fleet Feet and learning so much and meeting great folks! I completed the 13.1 that April and never felt so alive. Running was my favorite and still is today. I went on to work at Fleet Feet part time for 3 years while raising my young daughters. This gave me an incredible opportunity to really dive into the sport and soak up all the knowledge. In the past 9 years, I’ve completed countless races...several half marathons, 2 marathons, and a ten-hour endurance run where I completed 41 miles. My favorite racing distance is the 10k. I’m not a sprinter and this distance allows me to give some speed in combination with some distance.
I completed my third marathon in May, virtually! I was supposed to do the Flying Pig in Ohio but Covid, grrr! A great friend of mine made a route in Louisville. He ran 19 miles of it with me. I also had a handful of others that ran parts of the race with me too! I had family and friends that came out to cheer me on throughout the route. My husband and daughters drove around in the van for 4 plus hours giving me encouragement, water and oranges as needed. It was a challenge to complete but a “race” I definitely won’t forget!!
My favorite thing about River City Races events is that it’s like a family reunion (the good kind!). I see all sorts of friendly faces and people with their partners, kids, etc. My oldest daughter, now 13, is a runner and we’ve done MANY RC races together. I have precious memories of her racing as young as 6 in the Grand Prix series.
Running changes everything and it surely did for me. No matter where you are in your fitness journey, you can be a runner. It’s not about pace, it’s about showing up, time and time again. You get injured or get in a funk? No problem! Listen to your body and running will be right there when you’re ready. Hope to see you all at the next River City race when it’s safe!!
