Runner Spotlight - John Terry

First Male 30-34 2023/24 Polar Bear Grand Prix

How and why did you start running and how many years have you been running?

I started running for my middle school cross country team. Later I was an average high school runner and kept running as a hobby. 20 years later I'm still chasing the runner's high.

Why did you decide to do the Polar Bear Grand Prix?

I signed up for the Grand Prix hoping that having a few races on the calendar would motivate me to run through the winter. I love that the courses run through Cherokee park and the race supports the Olmstead Park Conservancy. My 2-year-old daughter enjoys playing with the jigsaw piece finisher medals.

Favorite distance?

My favorite distance to run is the 15k (9.3miles). I ran the Downtown Doubler 15k again last year and it is my favorite race in town. The folks who put it on do a great job and September mornings can be perfect running weather. 9 miles is about the point I start getting worn down in a half marathon so the distance allows for a strong finish.

Favorite place to run?

My favorite local running routes go through Seneca and Cherokee parks. The same run can feel completely different depending on the season. We have a great park system in Louisville. Whenever I visit a new city I like to pack my running shoes for an early morning run. It's the best way to explore a new place in my opinion.

Favorite or most unique race you have run?

My most unique race would be the Krispy Kreme Challenge in Raleigh, NC in 2012. It began with a 2.5 mile run, eating a dozen glazed donuts, and another 2.5 mile run. The atmosphere was electric with lots of costumes. There is a long list of races on my bucket list and I aim for one destination race each year. I am currently training for the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon in San Francisco in June.

Favorite thing about running?

I love setting and working towards a goal. The feeling when you meet a new PR or race goal is so motivating. I also hope I can be a good role model for my daughter to grow up seeing her parents have healthy hobbies.

Do you have any running/walking advice you'd like to offer?

My advice, whether you are new or have run for a long time, is to join one of the many running groups in town. I signed up for the Fleet Feet Training Program in July 2023 and running with other people has been such a positive experience. It has been so encouraging to meet up with other runners especially for a weekly long run. You also get to share in the "victories" when the people you run with hit their goals or improve as the season progresses.

Why do you like running River City Races events?

 The River City Race events are very well organized and it feels like a small way to support our running community.

Anything else you'd like to share?

I'm thankful for my wife, Katie, for always being supportive of my hobbies.

Runner Spotlight - Mitch Greenfield

My journey of running didn’t start until I was in the my 20s and working. I worked for PwC at the time and traveled a lot with a guy that always ran and I said, I can do that! And the rest, well they say, is history. Over the years I have been a more avid runner and starting in 2019 really focused in on my performance and hired a coach. I started running in 2006 and only ran 47 miles that year. It’s been a lot of miles focusing on speed and endurance since then!

I always like the Polar Bear Grand Prix because it’s a series to focus on during the winter. There aren’t a lot of other races going on during that time of year and this keeps me focused on my running and allows me to continue to measure my progress. I train best when I have a goal on the horizon that I can focus on. I also love competition and believe it brings out the best. The hills of Cherokee park are a great place to demonstrate that.

My favorite distance to run is 10 miles. There aren’t a lot of ten milers out there; so I run half marathons the most.  I find this the perfect distance to be challenging, fun, allows me to focus and walk away from a race not too run down. I look forward to my long Saturday runs with the Fleet Feet group/team.

My favorite run, albeit it I haven’t done it since before COVID, is the Embarcadero in the San Francisco. I love the energy of running along the water and sights and sounds of it all. It’s such a great stretch of parks/piers in such a busy city and you always see runners out there.

When it comes to favorite thing about running, I would say I now love the social nature of it. For years, until 2022, I ran solo expect races but starting in 2022 I joined the Fleet Feet Racing team and that really changed running for me. While I still enjoy the solo runs, the long runs with a group have really changed my runs and give me something new to look forward to on Saturday mornings!

When it comes to favorite races, I think I would say the Miami Half Marathon because there is just something about running along the water during sunrise that is so beautiful. I have run that race twice and it’s changed a lot over the years. It was a very small race when I first ran it in 2008 and when I returned to do it again in 2019 it was HUGE with over 30,000 runners from around the globe.

The number one question I get from folks getting into running is what shoes should I get? My answer is always the same: the ones that work for you and go to a running store and get fit. A good pair of shoes are key to ensuring your legs, feet, knees, ankles are all properly supported. The shoes that work for you may not be the ones that work for me.

River City Races a great way to see old friends and meet new ones. They have a great hometown vibe and I enjoy the stability of the schedule year to year. you can count on them to be fun events with good courses.

Runner Spotlight - Doug Lane

How and why did you start running and how many years have you been running?

Thanks to my college roommate, I started running in my early 20s (now in my 50s so over 30 years of running). I enjoyed the achievement of distance running, but I did it more as a hobby without much interest in competing with my potential. When I reached my 30s, I had the opportunity to enter the Triple Crown of Running with my co-workers. I entered more races and started collecting a lot of race medals. As I entered my 40s, I sustained a few injuries from running or other activities, including a torn ACL. I missed the races, and I missed the opportunity to run and challenge myself to do better. I managed to recover and return to running. Nowadays, I still do the races I did 20 years ago, but I do fun races like the runDisney ones, too. Running is a microcosm of what life is about for me. It is that relentless and fun pursuit of your potential.

Why did you decide to do the Polar Bear Grand Prix?

I like the idea of winter races to get me outside, and I love the challenge of the hills in Cherokee Park. Race organization is top notch which folks might not recognize nor appreciate for a small race. I've been in larger races whose organization was a bit lackluster.

Favorite distance?

I love 10Ks, half marathons, and anything in between. I definitely tend to prefer those at the longer end of the spectrum.

Favorite place to run?

It's not so much the place but the conditions for me: cloudy, cool, and calm. But if you're going to pin me down, I really enjoy the runDisney half marathons. The organization, the venue, the characters, and the number of runners in costume make it tough to beat. And you get to run through the castle in Magic Kingdom.

Favorite or most unique race you have run?

It was the runDisney Disney Princess half marathon. As a Disney family, running through the parks and especially Cinderella's castle in Magic Kingdom is incredibly exciting. And it was so special, because my wife and I did the race together. A close second is the Indy 500 half marathon that takes you through Gasoline Alley and on the Indy 500 track, which is an incredible experience.

Favorite thing about running?

I love the finish line lol. But, seriously, it's physical therapy for my mind. I can organize my thoughts and clear my mind of distractions. It has taught me patience and resilience in the face of adversity. When my leg starts to cramp, I just try to continue on as long as it takes to go away.

Do you have any running/walking advice you'd like to offer?

Support your local running shoe store. They will help you find the right shoe for your feet. Once you have found that shoe, stick with it. You can try other brands, but you'll likely stay with your original choice.

Why do you like running River City Races events?

The race organization is great, and I want local races to participate in. Because I live in New Albany, the courses are often in areas that are unfamiliar to me as a runner, so I enjoy the novelty.

Anything else you'd like to share?

Running fast is fun, but remember to focus on finishing without injury. Blisters, shin splints, etc. are painful and keep you off your feet. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. And smile.

Runner Spotlight - Melissa Brewer

2nd Place 40-44 2023 Polar Bear Grand Prix

My random, hiatus filled running history is just that, random but it has turned into something very intentional. In 2010, a group of us decided to run a half marathon on a whim and I just continued with it for a while. I liked running but there was never a "love" for it, at first.  It was just something I did from time-to-time. It was always my go-to when I needed to start exercising again.

Fast forward a few years, I moved to Florida, ran a few races here and there but life became busy with motherhood, work, etc. and I had a big hiatus. I put myself on the back burner for a while, ended up moving back to Ky., got out of an unhealthy marriage and starting running again. I used running to get exercise, push myself and to figure out all of life's problems. In all those miles I figured out how to be the best me for myself and my kids. That's when I fell in love with running!

Fast forward to October 2022; I ran a race and saw that I was 6th in my age group.  A friend had placed 3rd and I made a goal to place in the top 3 for my age group. I had never even come close to placing previously and it wasn't even on my radar until then. I worked for a year towards my goal and wouldn't you know it, they didn't have the race in October 2023. Honestly, I was mad and out of frustration I signed up for the Polar Bear Grand Prix. I was used to training in Iroquois Park so Cherokee Park didn't scare me. I knew placing in the top 3 of my age group would still be tough but I did it! I actually placed 2nd and was absolutely thrilled! It was a check off my bucket list but I guess I wasn't done yet. Somehow at the end of the race series, I placed 2nd overall in my age group and I was beyond excited.

It sparked a fire in me and since then an entire snowball of events have taken place.

I have since registered for my first full marathon, started a YouTube channel (Running Like A Mother Clucker) to document my training, crosstraining with cycling and to show how the regular person, like myself, can do hard things with motivation. I just completed the Louisville Triple Crown of Running and am embarking on my longest unsupported run this weekend in an unfamiliar place.  That run has challenges in itself.

So, why do I run?  I run because I get what I put into it, it can be a solo or group sport and it's mentally healthy for me.  I think what I love most about running though, aside from seeing the progress I make, is the absolutely amazing community that I have become a part of. Louisville has a great, supportive running community! She Runs This Town is a great running group I've joined. I've had other members run along side me in races, introducing themselves for the first time. (I'm usually easily recognized because I run with a GoPro for the YouTube channel that includes my chickens that everyone seems to love). I have come to realize my friends, boyfriend,  kids, running and cycling friends are all so supportive. I went into marathon training thinking this was a solo deal but it has transpired into so much more! So yeah, I think I'm in love with running now.

Runner Spotlight - John Diennio

I first started running for my high school cross country team in the mid-80's because I had a lot of energy at that age, and wasn't particularly adept at other team sports. My school had a large program, a great coach, and after school practices were a blast. I've stopped and started running several times since then, but I guess I've been running for about 20 years combined.

 There is so much to love about the Polar Bear Grand Prix races! They're close to home, on a great course, and the relatively small fields really lend a sense of community to the events. They also provide something to look forward to, and inspiration to keep training, during a time of year when not a lot of events are happening. Also, the weather! I've always loved being active outdoors when the weather is less than ideal. My partner ran one of these events many years ago when the temperature was, like, 6 degrees. She finished and her eyebrows were literally caked with ice. No way was I going to let her have all the fun! I've been doing them with her ever since.

 My favorite distance so far is the half-marathon. I enjoy the challenge of finding and maintaining a proper pace that longer distances provide. I'm looking forward to challenging myself in my first full marathon this Fall in Indianapolis.

 There are so many great places to run in and around Louisville. But honestly, my favorite place to run is around home. I like being able to lace up at the kitchen table and just head out the back door. I measure most of my runs by time rather than miles, so following a specific course isn't that important. I usually take a different route each time out. It's fun, and a great way to get to know the neighborhood a little better.

 One of the most fun races I've done was a very small 5k in Danville called the Monster Dash. It was a fundraiser for a local high school swim and dive team. Fewer than 100 runners, but everyone was dressed in Halloween costumes and having a great time. To date, it's the only race I've done wearing a shirt and tie!

 My favorite thing about running is its simplicity. You just need a pair of shoes, shorts, and a t-shirt. Also, when your muscles have warmed up and you settle into a comfortable pace where your breath and your stride - everything - is working together, it really clears your mind to go wherever it wants to. At these times running is so peaceful, and provides an opportunity to connect with ourselves, physically and mentally, in ways nothing else can.

 I guess the only advice I would offer is to always listen to your body. This has become increasingly important for me as I've gotten older. Running is healthy and good for us, but sometimes our body needs a break at times when our heart wants to run. If something is aching or you're just feeling off, call it an early day, be thankful for what you were able to do, and get back out there tomorrow or whenever it feels right.

 I like running River City Races events because they are local and well organized, and everyone involved with putting them on is friendly and enthusiastic! After running the same event a couple of times, it becomes an anticipated tradition each year.

 To everyone involved with making sure these events happen year after year - Thank you! And thank you for the opportunity to share a little about myself. Happy running!