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| Tunnel Hill 50 Finish |
Tell us a little about yourselves not necessarily related to running age, where born, education, area you live in, etc.….
Chad: Well, I am now 46 years old, born outside Chicago, raised outside Boston (Massachusetts, not Kentucky), and like so many in this area, retired from the Army. Sarah and I decided to stay in E-town because there is just something about this place that we really love, don't ask me what it is, but it is something.
Sarah: I'm 34 years old, born in Mt. Vernon, Indiana (near Evansville). I went to the University of Southern Indiana there in Evansville. As Chad said, Army brought us here to E-town, and the charm and people of E-town kept us here.
What is your profession?
Sarah: I am an Occupational Therapy Assistant. I currently work for Hardin Memorial Hospital at the outpatient clinic in E-town. I am now in the process of furthering my education by obtaining certifications to specialize in lymphedema and breast cancer care through lymphedema treatment and therapy.
Chad: I am not nearly as smart or specialized as her. Once I retired, I was able to get a job at the US Army Recruiting and Retention College as a Training Developer for the Army Recruiter Course. There I am able to work with some of the most impressive Soldiers I have met in my entire career.
How did you both start running and what prompted you to do so?
Chad: Well Tony, it seems like my story starts like so many others, but it all started in High School Cross Country. Actually, the only reason I did Cross Country was that my friend Dave and I wanted a sport to help us stay in shape for basketball season. Little did I know that I was, back then at least, a pretty fast runner, and not a very good basketball player!
Sarah, I'll let you tell the story of your first race….
Sarah: I hated running growing up and did not run competitively. I did not start running until I had realized that when I went back to school, I did like so many others do; I gained a lot of weight. I wanted to lose weight for our wedding, so Chad helped me train for my first 5K, which was a race back in Massachusetts that Chad’s friend was putting on to benefit Homes for our Troops. I am pretty sure I almost died (haha). My second 5K was years later here in E-town right after we moved here, and I again felt like I was going to die. It was about a year after that I decided to run a half marathon, and I've been running ever since.
How long have you both been running?Sarah: I can say I have been a runner since 2013 when I started training for my first half marathon. I started running the day Running Soles opened.
Chad: That is kind of hard for me to answer. Like I said, I started in high school, and for most of my career in the Army, but then the years of being on tanks took their toll on my knees, hips, and back. There is a reason they tell you to climb down and not jump off them. Towards the end of my career, I was given a profile (Doctor's order) to no longer run, but to walk instead. It sounds good on paper, but wow I really hated walking for the Army Physical Fitness Test. With the doctor's order of no running or sit-ups, I got lazy, and as a result, I put on (quite) a few pounds. When I saw the picture of myself, I refer to as "Fat Chad," I knew I had to change something.
It was not long after this that, while working for Will (Rivera) he started talking about Natural Running, and that has been a game changer for me, and got me back to running.
Unlike most Army Retirees, I waited until after I hung up the uniform to get serious into running.
Did either of you participate in any other sports over the years?
Sarah: I haven’t participated in sports as an adult. I was on the dance team in high school.
Chad: Nothing really to note for me. I did the intramural soccer/football thing before, was really big into cycling in high school, but nothing compared to others — no century rides, or softball championship games here.
Did either of you run in grade school, High School or College?
Sarah: No way! You would have had to tell me it was mandatory to get me to run.
Chad: No college athletics for me, just the illustrious high school career! Haha
So we get an idea of where you have been with running can you share your PR's for 5K, 10K marathon and any other distance you may have run in the past.
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| Freeman Lake Run |
- 5K: 22:52
- 10K: 52:51
- Half-marathon: 1:55:16—I really think that is the only half-marathon I have ever run without you (Sarah)
- Marathon: 4:11:41
- Ultra-Marathon: I have done a few Ultras, but the furthest has been the Pistol 100K- that was the most miserable 14-plus hours of running (not counting wardrobe changes) in my life, but possibly going to do it again.
- 5K- 27:12
- 10K- 59:00
- Half marathon- 2:07:31
- Marathon- 5:31:16
- 50K- 9:33:17
- 50 miler- 11:16:57
- 100K- 18:21:47
What is your most memorable race or races and share a little about at least one of them?
Chad: I’ll take this one first. Probably my most memorable race was the Tunnel Hill 50-miler. That was one that we ran together, but we did a good job of keeping each other grounded. We had a plan of absolutely, under no circumstances were we to go faster than a 10:30 pace. That strategy kept me in a good place for the whole time and felt like I had energy at the end. Don’t want to say a lot, but I had some. Plus, we were able to witness Camille Herron cross the 100-mile finish absolutely crushing the world record.
Sarah: I agree with Chad on one of them being Tunnel Hill 50 miler. I remember smiling and laughing most of the time. When I wasn’t smiling Chad made sure I did. Another memorable race for me was my first half marathon. Chad and I were supposed to run this together, but Chad got a stress fracture and had to pull out of the race. He rode his bike next to me while I ran during training. So, I ran the Derby half on my own. I learned a lot about myself during this one. But the most memorable of them all through is the Bell Ringer 50K in Burns, TN. I could talk forever on this so I’ll make it as short as I can (haha). I ran this with Madeline Rivera and Andrea Musselman. It was one of the toughest and most technical trails I had and still have been on. It was so hard, and it was so cold that our water was freezing. We didn't make one of the cutoffs, and they were going to take us off the course. The three of us looked at each other, and collectively, we told them, "No, we trained too hard for this. We want to finish the course, medal or not." One of the park rangers (later we learned he was also the race director) made us a deal. If we could beat him to the next checkpoint, he will erase our names off the DNF list and let us continue. We all cried and ran as fast as we could, and we did beat him. He smiled big and told us, "You ladies worked hard for this, now go finish this!" He followed us for a bit playing Eye of the Tiger over his truck intercom, and we all cried and cried. We did finish, the last three, and only four people at the finish line, but we didn't care. I'm getting emotional thinking about it. That was December 2016, and I still tear up when I hear that song. Those two became more than friends that day.
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| Running in Ireland |
Chad: I want to change my answer after hers included Maddie and Andrea; mine is no longer running with Sarah! I also have to add the first Freeman Lake Trail Series 5k, I think it was in 2015 because it was the first race I ran with my three kids, and the 2019 Kentucky Derby Marathon, being able to run with my sister as she did her first full marathon.
Do you have a favorite workout you do?
Sarah: Zumba is fun
Chad: Not Zumba-
What does a regular week of training look like?
Chad: Normally, Tuesday and Thursday group runs at Running Soles, long runs on Saturday, and if I am training for something, a second-long run on Sunday and something different Wednesday night, like hill repeats- ugh.
Sarah: When I'm training, it looks a lot like Chad's plan. We train together quite a bit.
How often do you run together?
Chad: The last few months, we have not run as much together as we usually would, mainly because of one injury or another, but for a while there, it seemed like almost every run she was holding back for me so we could run together.
Sarah: I have to jump in and say that I am always the one slowing him down. But I love how he doesn’t care and won’t leave me, as much as I sometimes beg him to.
Chad: Well, I am pretty sure that the race results have you beating me on the majority of races…
How does having a spouse that runs help with your running?
Chad: For me, at least, I think we keep each other honest. There are those long runs that one of us do not want to go, but the other one forces them out the door. If I know someone depends on me, I will be there.
Sarah: He holds me accountable. I have a terrible habit of letting laziness kick in instead of getting out there and getting a run done. He is also my encouragement, pushing me to go further and harder than I usually would on my own. He is always there at the finish line, letting me cross first and always the first to give me a hug and congratulate me.
How about a favorite route you like to run?Chad: Mine would have to be Mauckport. You can get some distance, and it is very easy to lose yourself in your surroundings. This is especially good for someone who has ADHD like me; there is always something different to look at. Plus, it helps there is almost no traffic. I was passed by more tractors one time than cars.
Sarah: I like running Mauckport as well. I like familiar routes; they help my mindset to know where I am and how far to the next area.
What is your favorite distance to run and race?
Chad: Even though I really enjoy doing the distance runs, I think my favorite is the half-marathon. It's probably the furthest run that is fun for the whole time, plus, you get the same the swag and pre-race experience as the marathon, for only half the distance!
Sarah: I like the half marathons as well. To me, that is a fun distance. I don't feel like I have to kill myself like in a 5K and I know I won’t be out there 5+ hours. I can just go out and have fun and enjoy my run.
What shoes do you run in, and what do you like about them?
Sarah: I love my Altras! They just work for me.
Chad: I have never really been a brand loyal guy until I put on my first pair of Altras in 2015. Since then, that is all I wear while running, trail or street, I am an Altra-homer. I love the zero-drop that forces you to run the way your body was designed to (no heel strike), the wide toe box which gives your foot the room to spread out, and the cushion that I get in the Torin. Really, the whole natural feel to the shoes. Wonder if I can get a free pair for that plug.
How about diet, do you eat any certain way and do things change on race week and race day?
Sarah: I wish I had a diet that I stuck to. I like to eat, so I run more so I can eat more (haha). I will say on race day I change nothing! I eat the same thing I would before a training run.
Chad: I try to stay away from overly processed foods, and here lately doing NSNG (No-Sugar/No-Grain), but damn I have a sweet tooth- Thanks Dad.
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| Ft Knox Audie Murphy 5k - 2019 |
Do you have any long-range running plans?
Sarah: I am currently recovering from surgery and not running until approximately August 6th, so my short-term plans are to heal and start slowly building my distance back up and get into more strength training. My long-term plan is to run Pistol 100 miler in March.
Chad: Wait, your planning on doing what in March? First I am hearing about this plan!
Right now, for me, it is to recover from this hamstring thing that's been bothering me since the Derby marathon, but there are a few that I am eyeballing. Right now, I am only signed up for the Backyard Classic here in August. It is an 8-hour endurance race that I will not come close to last year’s monsoon run (34 miles), but the race from top to bottom is such an awesome time.
What do you like best about living and running in KY?
Chad: Oh, for me, it is definitely the stupid heat that we get to run in. Honestly, it is the support that the running community has for each other. You can reach out at almost any time if you need someone to run with, advice, or just support.
Sarah: The community here is very pro-active lifestyle. The support is great.
Do you have any bucket list races?
Sarah: I would love to run the Seven Bridge Marathon in Chattanooga, TN. I hear it’s a pretty run.
Chad: Yes, and thanks to my sister, I think both are probably going to happen. Being from Boston, pretty sure you can guess which one I am going to say. Even though I can say I have run Boston, I cannot say I have RAN BOSTON. That is bucket list number one. The other is one she just ran- The Bay of Fundy International Ultra Marathon. I have run races that start in one state and finish in another, or cross back and forth but starting in one country and ending in another, that's just cool.
Sarah: Hey!! I want to run the Bay of Fundy International Ultra Marathon too!!
Anywhere else you would like to visit to run?
Chad: That is a loaded question because I would love to be able just to litter the map with my Strava runs, so besides the bucket list races, my answer is “yes.”
Sarah: We had the opportunity while on vacation to run in Ireland, and it was great. I would love to get to run in Germany one day.
Chad: Is this like the Pistol? Are you making plans without me? (haha)
What do you both struggle with most with regards to running?
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| Bell Ringer 50K - Sarah, Maddie & Andrea |
Sarah: I struggle most with getting my butt up and getting out there. I have the lazy gene, I suppose.
Chad: For me, it is two things. The first is staying on track with cross training (weights, elliptical, core exercises), and the second is keeping form and cadence when I get tired. Man, it is so easy to let those go when you are beaten down.
What do you see as a trend in running?
Chad: First and foremost, running itself is becoming a trend. The numbers of runners signing up for races continues to grow each year unbelievably. But the trend within running is definitely the Ultra-Marathons.
Sarah: I wish I had an original answer here, but I agree with Chad on this one.
If you had one, well maybe two or three, things to say those that are running to encourage them what would it be?
Sarah: I guess I would have to say that it doesn’t matter how everyone else is doing. Focus on your run and your happy, not someone else’s. I would also say that not every run is going to be great. You aren’t going to feel like a Rockstar every time. So, embrace the suck on those runs that you just don’t have it, and learn from it.
Chad: I heard a guest on a podcast say, “The only person who really cares about your PR is you.” That goes with what Sarah said, if you enjoyed the run, that is all that matters. I could recycle some quotes from the motivational calendar here, but the first thing is if you are not going to win the race, have fun. Enjoy the experience, those around you, and the run itself. I am not saying not to run hard, instead run happy. Also, post-run beer is calorie and carb free- true story; you can find it online.
Do you have a website or other social media site you would like to share?
Chad: Not one in particular, but I would encourage anyone to find a local running community on Social Media, along the lines of the Running Soles Training/Social Group. It gives you the option to reach out for running partners, ask advice or possibly race discounts!
Sarah: Again, going to go with Chad’s answer.
Chad: Oh yeah, and if anyone has ever had the desire to get paid while they workout, and looking for a career change, check out what my friends at goarmy.com have available for you!
Any closing comments?
Chad: Go Red Sox?
********You can see past interviews here********
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