Back in 2011 I wrote my first “Positive Moments in My Life”. After losing 50+ lbs I took a month to research and experiment on how different foods affected my weight and how many calories I really needed to consume in order to maintain my weight.
Once I figured how to eat, and what not to eat out I decided to give exercise a shot. I have always been active and growing up I was a competitive swimmer in high school and college, played football, wrestled, baseball and once I was out of school I took up softball, golf and began running (noncompetitive). Well, once my oldest was born a lot of my exercising took a backseat, but after losing the 50lbs I decided to get back into running. I figured it was the easiest and cheapest way to go about exercising.
I decided that I was older, and had not worked out for quite some time, so I decided to give a Theresa Potesta who was an old high school classmate of mine and an avid runner a call. I had asked her what the best way was for someone like me to get back into shape and start running. She had mentioned that she was helping out Nikki Huber who is a certified running coach with a Popcorn Panic 5 mile training program and that would be perfect to get me where I wanted to be.
My first thoughts were, “I just want to get into shape; I don’t need the competition.”
But after careful consideration I decided to sign up. I showed up for the first training run, and I actually thought that it was for a 5K and not 5 miles.
Boy, what a shocker when she said we will all do great at the Popcorn Panic five mile race. Yep, it was a five mile race.
I had already signed up, paid and began training so I told myself, “What the heck, what do I have to lose?”
I am claiming the 2011 Popcorn Panic as my first running race ever and the beginning of my new addiction. Not only did I get a new addiction, but I suddenly had running buddies. We seemed to always run together, support each other and cheer each other on. We had created a bond while training and competing together. The running buddies are the ones who get you off your butt when you don’t want to go for a run, and they also get you through your long runs. This was just the beginning to seeing how supportive the Northwest Indiana Running Community is for each other.
My 1st Popcorn Panic
Those who have run this race know it can be a challenge. Are there harder races out there? Yes, but for a first race this was quite a challenge for someone who has never ran a race before in his life. Needless to say, I ran the race quite well and really enjoyed the course and of course the uphill finish. I don’t think my heart has ever beaten so hard and fast in my life. The rush of adrenaline, the feeling of determination, and the competitiveness that occurred throughout the race was amazing. This is the bug that I have been missing since my swimming days. I became instantly addicted.
What happened next in 2011
Later that year I kept my training at a level where I could run up to a 10K at anytime. 2012 came and I was looking for new experiences/challenges. I ran a few other races, and in June 2011 Nikki Huber, the same running coach from the Popcorn Panic had a half marathon training program she was starting. After tossing and turning and a little pushing from my newly found running friends I decided to go for it. About 2/3 the way through the ½ training I found an ultra race (any running race exceeding 26.2 miles). What I had found was the Kal-Haven 33.5 Mile Run. This Ultra begins in Kalamazoo, MI and ends in South Haven, MI. No, I was not looking to do the entire race myself, but we were able to create a six person team, allowing each runner to take a certain leg. We came up with the team name, NWI Region Runners, which has exploded into several run groups throughout Northwest Indiana. For the Kal-Haven Trail Race we were able to put together 3 teams of 6 for a total of 18 runners. It is amazing as to how large the NWI running community is. I created a Facebook page primarily for the relay teams for NWI Region Runners and by the end of the day I had over 50 followers. All three teams had a blast, with half of them returning for the same race in 2013.
I ran my first ½ marathon in Lowell in 2012, and struggled through it, cramping, tired, and frustrated but I finished. After the race that same day, I told my wife I will never run another ½ marathon again. Funny thing was, the following day I was looking for my next ½ marathon. I wasn’t going to let Lowell defeat me.
My 2012 goal race
The race I will claim as my pride and joy, the one I trained my hardest for, the one I enjoyed the most, and the race that I shocked myself with is the Purdue ½ Marathon in West Lafayette. A good friend, fellow runner and probably the biggest Purdue fanatic I know, Debbie Shaffer, talked me into training with her and then later running the Purdue Half in October. I have to thank Debbie for the slight nudge to run it.
Our training went well, we incorporated a basic ½ training program with lots of hill work, seeing that the course is basically made of a lot of hills. My morning started at 4am on race day, going through my normal routine and pre race prep. I arrived at the start around 6am, I like to get there early as to relax, warm up, and get my mind right. I was excited for this race and I had done some research on the course. I estimated my finish goal to be approximately 2:15 to 2:20. The start of the race began and we started downhill, then we went up, up, up and around the Purdue Golf Courses, then we headed around town and to Lafayette. Crossing over the Wabash River, I had been running with a gentleman from Washington D.C. and we saw the lead runner. The guy I had been running with started to cheer him on.
I had to mention to the guy I was running with, “Do you realize that the lead runner is at mile 11 and we just passed the 6 mile mark?”
I have to admit, that motivated me to keep up my pace. I ended up crushing my goal time with a finish time of 2:04.
Not only did I compete in the Kal-Haven 33.5 Mile Trail Run as part of a relay, I was able to complete 34 other races in 2012. Yes, I had my ups, downs, and injuries but with the support of my fellow runners I was able to get through the injuries and the down moments.
Along the way through each of my goal races I have found it beneficial to join a training group or just a simple group run. Not only is it fun, but the support and friends that you make from it go far beyond the goal race. NWI has a huge running community and from the elite runners down to the beginners I have found that everyone is willing to lend a hand or help out. These runners/athletes will motivate you, help push your limits, they follow up with you when you have an injury, they lend advice from their experiences, and they want to know how you did at your last race. This is why I host the NWI Region Runners Chesterton Run Group on Tuesday evenings at 6pm. I have met some awesome people, everyday people, elitists, runners trying to achieve their goal, and beginners and every one of them has taught me something new and inspired me.
Tom is the Operations Director & E-Commerce Director at Harbor Automotive Group, Inc. in Portage and Michigan City, Indiana.