Runner Spotlight - Anthony Greer

Favorite distance: 4 miler & 10k

Running Advice: stay with it, good shoes, rest

Why do you like running River City Races events: Locations & enjoy the competition

My Story:

                I have come a long way!  In my younger days I was a Track & Field sprinter/long jumper.  After high school and college, I started running road races including the half marathon because I missed the competition.  It was in the late 80’s I stopped running due to several life events and my health declined.  I just was not motivated and never believed I would run again. My life took a negative turn.

                After several years, about 30, I am now in my late 50’s running again and it will be four years next February 2019.  What changed?  I had a boss that convinced me to start running again; however, it was pictures of myself, overweight, that really push me to get out and run.  So one cold early morning in February I did just that and I am still running most days, sometimes twice in one day.  I have lost 35 pounds, feel much better, continue to improve and have met some terrific people.  This change has been priceless!

                As this current year of 2018 comes to a close, my greatest supporter, my girlfriend, will be my lifetime commitment.  She has been there from the beginning and I could not have done any of this without her.  I run for me, live for her and grateful for the running talent I still have.  I may not be as fast or strong, but I win every time I finish a race   Thank you to all of those who believed in me!

Runner Spotlight - Melissa Joyce-Hassan

I started running in Feb 2009!  People often ask me why I started running - I was just looking for something different to do.  All my life I was a complete couch potato.  I had gone to weight watchers in 2006 and lost weight.  They introduced me to exercise.  So, I was doing 30 minute video workouts a few times a week.  I walked almost every day for about a mile or two.  But I was getting bored of my routine.  One day I was at the gym walking on the treadmill, and some guy got on the machine next to me and ran real fast for 30 minutes!!  I was shocked - I had never seen anyone run before.  I guess I never paid attention to people running on the streets.  And, I knew nothing about races.  I thought marathons were just for professional athletes.  I never knew “common folks” did races.

After I saw that treadmill guy run, I started paying attention - lots of people were running.  I was curious, lol, so I thought I’d give it a try.  I couldn’t run for 30 seconds, LOL.  But I didn’t give up - I was determined to conquer the beast.

I started using “mind games” with myself.  I would use my music as my guide.  I would run for a few words, then walk a few words.  Got to where I could run a whole verse and walk the rest of the song.  Then one day I was able to run the ENTIRE song!!  I was SO proud of myself!!  Then I would run a song, walk a song!  And I progressed from there.  I entered my first 5K race in May 2009.  It was a trail race of all things, lol.  I had never been on a trail in my life!!  I didn’t know what a “trail” meant.  I figured it couldn’t be too much different from the treadmill???  Boy, what an education I got that day, LOL!!

I stayed around to see the awards after the race ended and turned out I had won 1st place in my age group!!  I was beyond shocked!!  Then, I found out I was the only one in my age group, LOL!!  But still, I was SO proud of my trophy!!  Still have it sitting on my dresser to this day!

SO... needless to say, I was hooked!!  I’ve been out running ever since.  I’m one of those crazy people that will literally go out and try any distance.  The longest I’ve run is 75 miles, in my 2nd attempt at the Indiana 100 Miler.  I’ll get there some day. 

My favorite distance is the Marathon.  I think because it’s never the same, and it’s always a challenge to finish - no matter how many you’ve run, it somehow always seems brand new.  Or, maybe I’m just doing it wrong, lol.  But the accomplishment of finishing brings joy to my soul!

I am new to River City Races!!  I literally JUST found out about River City Races a couple months ago - though a Facebook post on my running friends page!  I was like, HOW did I not know about this???  OH MY GOSH, I have had so much fun doing the Run the 502 race series!!!  River City Races is like a community of friends running together.  I LOVE that!  I have met a LOT of really great folks while at these races!  I keep looking forward to the next race!  And all of the races have been very well organized, and just fun!

I love having fun - it’s why I run!!  I love playing my music while I run too.  I was apprehensive at first, because I don’t want to annoy anyone or ruin their race experience.  But I’ve found that people seem to really enjoy to music.  I love hearing folks singing along to the oldies -  as they “pass” me on the course, lol.

My running advice... “Keep it fun”!  I run for me.  Even if you like setting goals training hard, don’t ever allow your running to stop being “fun”.  With all the “stressors” in life, we don’t need to let running become one of them.  Life is short - go out and enjoy a nice run!!

Runner Spotlight - Howard Whitman

Who is the man behind those crazy shorts?!

My original running days go all the way back to high school when I ran cross country but then college, Army, married and family life and work didn't leave much time for running plus the interest wasn't there any more.  Then in 1998 I saw my daughter running frequently but the crowning moment came when I picked her up at the airport after she had completed the Disney Marathon.  Watching her hobble off the plane obviously in severe pain (which we now know as the post marathon shuffle) but with the biggest smile on her face, I thought "hey, that looks like fun".  I then decided to start training for the Derby Mini Marathon hoping that I could finish the race while the clock was still up and the roads were still closed.  And now, twenty years later, the clock is still up and I'm still out there running.

Having finished 11 marathons, 29 half marathons and numerous 15K, 10 milers, 10K and 5K races, it's hard to say which distance is my favorite because each one has its own personality.  I even can include trail running which includes doing R2R2R twice.  I can't even say which race was my favorite because every one has left me with great, happy memories.

My advice to all new runners out there first and foremost is to make sure you enjoy yourself and have fun.  Going fast is nice but enjoying the scenery around you and the camaraderie of fellow runners will allow you to keep running for many more years.  Remember, you still get the same medal as the first place runner, and I believe you get more out of your entry fee while you are enjoying the race.    I continue to run simply because I like running and fortunately, I am still able, although not nearly as fast as I used. 

I have so many great memories of past runs and races that I still want to make more memories so I continue to run.  Plus you have the health benefits of being out there.  I notice many of my non-running friends in my age category have similar aches and pains that I do, but I get to blame those pains on running which keeps me younger.  

I like competing in the River City Races because it allows me to enjoy the opportunities to run against my fellow runners and the races are always well done with plenty of benefits like food and drink after plus the social aspect of renewing old friendships and making new ones.  Our running group, Not Quite Ready For Prime Time Runners, is always represented at these local races plus we often do road trips together for out of town races.  Many stories come to mind from these trips.  (Don't ask).

Probably the most important thing to remember is to get out there and start moving.  It matters not how fast you are but that you are doing it.  Runners are a friendly group and no matter your pace, you will always be welcome when you start running.  

See you out there on the streets.  I'll be the one in colorful shorts.

Runner Spotlight: Lucas Adams

I began running in July 2016. I was 50 pounds overweight and unhappy and I was desperate to make healthy changes in my life both for myself and for my girlfriend (now fiance) Susan. I decided one day to download "Couch to 5K" and give it a try. It was hard at first, each run was slow and painful and the diet and lifestyle choices that accompanied it were difficult. I was running for a minute and walking for three minutes after that and I could barely keep up. I was logging EVERY SINGLE BITE OF FOOD in Weight Watchers and it drove me crazy.

A funny thing happened though...it started to work. My weight dropped and my pace per minute right along with it. Runs became easier and longer and I began to feel healthier than I had in a very long time. I had run before but I had never been this dedicated and I certainly had never enjoyed it as much as I was. It was freeing and it made me feel in control of something.

I decided to register for my first race ever, the 2016 Great Pumpkin 10K and it went so well that I registered for the 2016-2017 Polar Bear Grand Prix through which I learned about the Louisville Distance Project at Fleet Feet Sports. I signed up for this Run Club and I have never looked back. This fall marks my fourth LDP training season and during my time with the Club, I have run 6 half marathons, multiple shorter distance races and last May I completed my first full Marathon when i crossed the finish at the 2018 flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. I'm currently training for the 2018 New York City Marathon on November 4th and a 20 mile trail race on December 1st.

What is your favorite distance?-

I love the marathon distance. There is nothing quite like the feeling of crossing the finish line after running 26.2 miles. You have spent four months running, lifting, stretching, taking ice baths (in WINTER), eating only that which fuels you, and willing your mind and body to run for 26.2 miles...and then you do...and they hang a medal around your neck and not one soul can ever take that accomplishment away from you. I will never BQ but I will always be a marathoner.

Do you have any running advice you'd like to share?

Just run.

Put one foot in front of the other and wear your biggest smile, you're doing something good for yourself and you should be incredibly proud of that. If it turns into something deeper and suddenly you're toeing the line at a Marathon, great, but if you make the trip around the Seneca loop twice and then go home, you have done a great thing.

Find your tribe and run with them.

LDP not only introduced me to proper training, gear, diet, and form, it introduced me to friends. The friends I have made in my time with a run club have shown me kindness, love, and support and without them I would have given this up a long time ago.

Why do you like River City Races events?

The 2016-2017 Polar Bear Grand Prix was my first RCR event and I was so impressed at how well run it was and how much fun everyone seemed to be having and that hasnt changed. Every time I run a RCR race I have a great time and I meet other people having a great time. Races are the most fun when you feel safe and supported and I have always felt that way with this organization.

Anything else you'd like to share:

I would like to thank my fiance Susan. She has been at nearly every finish line I've crossed and is a fantastic runner and ambassador for the spot herself. it is a joy to do this with her.

Runner Spotlight: Alissa and Solomon Bennett

Fastest couple in Kentuckiana Running!

In 2015 we met in Evansville Indiana at the University of Southern Indiana where we were both members of the Cross Country/ Track and Field teams. Upon graduation in 2015 we moved back to New Albany Indiana where Alissa is from to start our careers. Like most post collegiate athletes, we were struggling with finding balance with our love of the sport and focusing on our new careers. There were many times Alissa even mentioned giving up running. In 2016 some of our running friends encouraged us to do the Snowman Shuffle 4 miler. We both signed up with zero expectations. The environment at the race was unlike any other. It was below 30 degrees on a Saturday morning, yet there were so many positive people out there working towards their individual goals. Everyone was so encouraging and from that point on we made the shift from collegiate running to chasing our own personal goals on the roads. To this day River City Races will always be our favorite because of how well organized they are and they ultimately brought us back to our true love for running.

Our Favorite distances...

Solomon’s favorite distance is the 10k. Alissa’s favorite distance is the half marathon.

Our best advice…

Never let someone else’s achievements control how you feel about your own personal accomplishments. When you’re training for a specific goal, focus on your own individual training and progress. It’s really easy to compare yourself to someone else or their training. It’s important to remember everyone’s body is different, so matching what someone else is doing on a daily basis isn’t necessarily going to bring the same results.

What we’re up to…

We are both currently members of the Fleet Feet Sports Louisville’s Elite running team. We have met so many amazing people through Fleet Feet and we will always be incredibly thankful for the opportunities we have had while being a part of that community of runners. Solomon is the head coach for Charlestown Middle School Cross Country/ Track teams and also a coach for a new AAU team called Indiana Elite Run Club, out of Charlestown Indiana. Solomon and the Charlestown High School Cross Country/ Track coaches have partnered to create this team. They are looking forward to the future of what this group can become and are eager to see their young talented athletes continue to develop. In regards to our own training, we are currently gearing up for the fall race season and have our eyes on the Indy Monumental Half Marathon.