DRC Expressions of Gratitude

I am thankful for the run, it takes me to the places where I find myself. - Meg McCarrick

Running took on a new meaning for me this year. On March 7, my dad suffered a massive heart attack. (Ironically, I was on a run at the time; my husband had to track me down on my usual route.)  Eight months, four hospitalizations, a bout of congestive heart failure, a triple bypass and a defibrillator implantation later, Dad is on the mend, but considerably weaker than before.  On every run since then, I have taken time to be thankful for my good health and the ability to run, because I am so fortunate to have that physical ability when so many others don't.  - Jill Berron

I am grateful for the knowledge running has given me; two years ago, I didn't know when something felt "off" or wrong, but now with the strength I've gained, I know how my body should function and feel. It's awesome! - Rae Hedlund

2014 was the worst year of my life.

Everything I thought I was and thought I had, turned upside down when my marriage unexpectedly ended. Running gave me a way to meet some basic needs. A place to be. Time to think. Positive results. And enough exertion to be able to sleep at night. But within a few months, running gave me more than that. It led me to other runners… many in Daily Run Club, and a few more in other groups. Other runners who provided social interaction, and a friendly ear or word of advice. Other runners who lifted me and pointed me down the right path – figuratively and literally. Other runners who made me understand that I was in control of more than I thought I was… and at the same time, far less alone.2014 was the worst year of my life - briefly. But no more. Someday, I may even see 2014 as the best year of my life. And for the sport I love - and my running friends I love even more - I give thanks. - Frank Evans

I am thankful for so many things that running has given me:

1. Running has allowed me to accomplish so many things I never thought my body could endure 

2. Running has taken me on multiple adventures too see new states.

3. Running has brought wonderful people into my life who have become close friends...almost family! - Mackenzie Stallmann

I am thankful for running because it makes me feel so good about myself. Pushing myself to the limit & achieving goals are such an amazing feeling. 
Running makes me a better wife, mom & friend! - Jillian Van Leer

As I pondered on all of the things I am thankful for in regards to running (group runs, crunching leaves on fall days, the finish line of a race, etc) , what I realized is what I am really thankful for is running. I know it sounds so cliché, but I love that I can chose to go out and run. That I am healthy and can do what many people can't or don't do.  I am thankful that I can run !! - Shelly Weber

I am thankful for my running friends who will wake up at 3am

 just so I can run and get my miles in and I don't have to run alone! - Ximena Kriete

I have been running consistently for ~6 years and I learn something new about myself and running every year. Running is my escape. My escape from anger, sadness, worries, stress and life in general. For most of those 6 years, I was a solo runner- my dog has been my running partner for 3 of those 6- but since joining DRC I have made so many running friends and I am extremely grateful to this group for bringing them into my life. I also am thankful for those same friends for challenging me to run faster, harder and on different terrain. - Andrea Brueggemann

I am thankful that running gave me another way to work out, but mostly that it is an activity that my 13 year-old daughter, and now my 11 year-old son, have joined me in. We have fun at events together! Also for DRC for motivating me now that I'm not training for a race. - Bob Sander

I'm thankful that I am able to run with my son and that he loves to go for runs! And I'm also thankful for my running friends who push me to do distances I never thought I'd be able to do! - Tegan Schmidt

Why We Run

By Drew Beaty

It is a hot and humid Saturday morning, one best spent in a cool comfortable bed.  It's still an hour earlier than most people even consider moving on a day off. My mom comes in the room and wakes me just enough to get into the car.  I was 8. I remember this particular morning was extremely hot, which to me meant that my neon yellow Super Soaker 150 would be my tool of choice, so I filled it up with cold tap water.  Mom and I loaded into our baby blue diesel Tempo and set out in search of my dad.  He had been up hours ago lacing his worn out running shoes and wrapping his frozen Gatorade bottle with a towel and a rubber-band before heading out on a 20+ mile run.  A support car dropping off fresh supplies in the middle of a long road to nowhere in "small-town" Illinois was unusual. I didn't realize that then, I was too excited about using my Super Soaker to surprise attack dad with an impromptu cooling station!  This is how I remember many Saturday mornings growing up.

Before GU was a thought, when running shoes were nowhere near "gait-specific", and cotton was king fashion next to spandex, my dad was the ultimate ROAD RUNNER!  I can say with absolute distinction, my childhood was filled with uncommon memories thanks to his passion.  For instance, most would never get to see their dad melting the beard-cicles after a cold Indiana winter run.  

While my dad is no Dean Karnazes, whom we both got to meet during his run across the country, my dad has been the most consistent runner that I have ever known.  Knee problems (supported by mondo-braces), kidney stones (more than I know he wants to count), major and minor surgeries have all fallen in his path multiple times, but nothing has deterred his need to get in a good run.  While most would see any of those on the aforementioned list as a reason to give a good pause on running, I've seen my dad sneak out well before the doctor's approval.  You don't want to be the doctor foolish enough to tell my dad not to run.

Why does he run so much?  His usual response to anyone who asks that is "Because I want to!" or "Because I still can!", but I tend to think there is a deeper reason to it all.  My dad has been running for so long now that the act of running is a part of who he is, running isn't just something that he does for his health or to be prepared for the next race, it is as common to him as sleeping at night or brushing his teeth in the morning.  Think I went to deep there?  I've seen the look in his eye after a long (doctor forced) break from running, it's much like the look of an African lion patiently waiting, yet with full anticipation, while stalking prey.  

While I have your mental image in full focus, it's important to also acknowledge the supportive role that he has played in getting our entire family running.  I reluctantly joined him on some of the shorter runs when I was in grade school.  Still convinced that I didn't want to run, I never really did anything that could be considered "regular running".  That all transitioned in middle school when I got the wild idea that I was a sprinter and would be great at track.  Not missing a single beat, my dad jumped on board as my biggest fan!  All the way into high school he would be at every meet possible even volunteering to be a timer if needed just so he could be there and cheer.  As the distances that I raced got longer, he was there with off-season training plans to keep me moving.  Throughout my high school years, I'm a firm believer that my dad would have been the best track coach in the history of coaches.  He even helped coach my sister into running in the Chicago Marathon!  Not to mention my mom, who went from not running at all to now having just completed her 7th marathon all thanks to morning and afternoon "run-dates" with her main squeeze!  I can't imagine any of us having these experiences without his dedication and passion to running.

When my dad came to me with an idea to start a simple Facebook group with the sole purpose of getting others motivated to run, I was immediately on board.  It seemed simple enough, challenge people to run everyday from Thanksgiving to Christmas and see if it would create a habit.  The challenge then became a daily shout out about a workout or run, which garnered the attention of someone else wanting to get started, which sparked another's desire to get back into running.  I'm proud to be a part of something that has now grown to quite a large smathering of like-minded, sometimes a little "out-there" individuals!  The group runs and challenges have been met with enthusiasm that is absolutely contagious and I can't wait to see what the future holds for this fun little group!  But I can't read a single post and click the "like" button without being reminded that this is because my dad has stayed dedicated to running throughout his lifetime and my own to spread the joy that we get from running.  So, as we hit the 2 year mark, our most excellent DRC, I just want to say "Thank YOU" dad for everything!


Drew Beaty is a proud son and an occasional ultra runner.

Cold Weather Running

 By Molly Derner

Running makes you weird.  Weird to family and friends, weird to people passing you on the street, weird to yourself.  It's ok. Once you are a "runner", you know it.  Because you are different.  You realize you have this thing, however you want to define it, that has become another priority in your life.  You find yourself creating space for this thing, at the expense of "free" time, work time, sometimes even family time.  You find yourself doing things that you never, ever thought you would do.  Like running in the dark, at the crack of dawn, in the rain, up HILLS.  And, in Missouri, running in the cold.

Meghan asked me to write about running through the winter.  She said something about thinking I was "hard core".  She couldn't be further from the truth.  I don't like to be cold.  At all.  My thermostat is set at 78, and I still have to have socks on. I pray for snow only on Saturdays so I can send my husband out to play with the kids while I huddle up inside with my coffee.  Also, I am a wimp.  I used to tell my husband, "I'm not a wuss-- I just HURT MORE than other people!".  His response: "No, you are a wuss".

So why do I run outside in the winter?  Because it's really not that bad.  There are three kinds of Missouri cold: cold, really cold and ass-cold.  Most of the time, we are just "cold".  Rarely do we actually get all the way to the dreaded "ass-cold" scenario.  I have run in all of these, and have never regretted going.  It doesn't always start that way, though. 

My usual winter routine is like this:  get dressed, stare at the thermometer, drop kids off at school, park the car somewhere... and stare at the thermometer.  It's too cold, I tell myself.  It's going to be awful.  I should just go home.  I wait, thinking maybe it will get one degree warmer.  I wait.  And wait.  Finally I drag myself out and hit the road.  I'm not going to lie-- when it's 4 degrees outside, you ARE going to be cold.  For the first mile, maybe two.  But then, if you have the right clothes on, you will be ok.  Some really good runs happen during the winter.  There can be advantages to not really feeling your legs!

Experiment with your clothes.  I found what works for me.  Cold (30-50)= long sleeves and capri tights.  Really Cold (10-30)= adding gloves and something to cover my ears, maybe a thicker long-sleeved shirt.  Ass-Cold (below 10)= all the above plus some kind of jacket and my old fleecy pants.  This year I am going to add sunglasses to shield my eyes from the wind.

Snow is ok if it's just snow.  I don't have Yak Tracks but will be getting some for this winter.  Watch out for the snow that has melted and re-frozen.  One deal-breaker: ice.  Don't do it.  If it's patchy and you can clearly see where it is, then slow down and take your chances, but beware that it really likes to hide on asphalt and sidewalks.  I alter my winter routes to avoid the highways if I think there is any chance of cars slipping around.  When it's icy, be safe.  Get on the treadmill and catch up on all that tv you've been missing out on.  It won't be long before you can get back out there.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing you will need for winter running:  download "Training Montage" from the Rocky IV soundtrack.  Don't even consider running without it.  So get out there.  Be weird.  Wave your freak flag proudly.  And when people say, "You went out running in THIS weather?", you can say "yes".  And they will think you are hard-core.  And maybe you ARE.

Molly Derner is a member of Daily Run Club.  When she is not working or chauffeuring kids, she is running the streets of Washington, MO.