Continuing our features on Run the 502 stars, those who entered and completed all 11 races!
I started running when I started high school in 1967 because I wanted to play basketball. They said they wanted us to run cross country to get in shape for basketball. So I ran cross country. Then after just a day or two of tryouts they cut me from basketball. I was never really given a chance. I was so upset. My uncle who was coach at the University of Louisville at the time called my high school coach and asked him why he cut Ben. I did not know he was going to make that call. They then sent a message to me they wanted me to come back to the basketball team. But after they cut me I was not interested. I fell in love with running, and played basketball in the park. I also ran track in high school. I have probably been running about 15 years total now counting high school, and the past 12 years I have run fairly consistently since I started organized races in May, 2012. I always enjoyed movement though, and I like bike riding. I have a rowing machine I also use so my upper body remembers that it is still there. Running is the perfect sport for my personality anyway so it all worked out good. You just need a good pair of shoes and away you go.
I decided to do the Run the 502 because I like the River City Races runs.
My favorite distance is about 5 or 6 miles. I used to say a 5k but I like a bit more distance now, but not overly long.
My favorite places to practice run are Pope Lick Park, and Skyview Park. If I want hills I run Pope Lick North. If I want relatively flat, I run Pope Lick South. Skyview Park has hills in either direction.
One of the most unique races I ran was the Giant Slayer 5k in Bernheim Forest which was on a varied terrain course. We ran past the giants.
My favorite thing about running is the escapism. The world melts away when I am running. I also feel so much better and more relaxed the whole rest of the day after I have run that morning.
My running walking advice would always be to keep it fun, and don’t worry about finish place or timing. That will come.
I like running River City Races events because they are all conveniently located, and they all have ample parking. All you have to do is show up. It is also a good mix of park runs, and neighborhood runs. It is a well run organization.
The only thing else I would like to share is I have made great new friends since I started doing the organized runs. Most of my friends now are running related, and they are my family.