Inspiring Runner of the Week

(Jenny, having finished her first marathon)

Because I'm grieving the end of my Florida vacation, I thought I'd highlight yet another Floridian as my inspiring runner of the week. This week's runner is Jenny B-P. I've know Jenny since my Florida State days. She's the kind of friend you can go without seeing for years and still feel close to when those few and far between opportunities to get together come around.

I credit Jenny with pushing me off the couch last fall when she came to NYC for a visit and said, "come running with me." I replied there was no way, as I hadn't run in over a year and I dropped her off at the entrance to the Williamsburg Bridge. The next morning I joined her for a walk. Movement. She was training for the Miami marathon. It was November 2010 and Miami was in late January 2011. I decided I had time to train for the Miami 1/2. So I did. Movement. But my plane got snowed in and I missed the race. So I promptly registered for the Miami 1/2 2012. I'm now confident it will be a great follow up to this November's marathon. Movement!

And now, I give you Jenny:

At what age did you start running and what motivated you to get involved in the sport?
I started running at age 13, as a Freshman in High school. I was running so I could stay in shape for basketball and softball, but I never went back to those sports.


How has running changed your life?

It has been a place I have achieved two dreams, as a kid, it was to be on a state championship team, and as a grown up, to run a full marathon before age 40, and I did 2!


What do you get out of running? Why do it?

it is MY time, a place I can go to "run" away, to be with God, to not here MOMMY, or Jenny, or hear the phone ring. It makes me feel stronger in all areas of my life - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

What is your favorite race (distance) and what is your best Personal Record(PR)/ fastest time?

half marathon, time, 2:30:58

Where is your favorite place to train?

my Saturday morning long runs with friends, I LOVE running the beach bridges
because it is so pretty where we live.

(Jenny & sister Tammy, State champs!)

What is your proudest running moment? Do you have a favorite or most meaningful running experience (a race or a day when you pushed further than you thought you could go?)

as a sophomore in HS, I was on a State Championship team, the first our High school had ever had. it was a big deal to get to run varsity as a freshman and sophomore, and this was truly a memory I still hold onto.


Do you have a favorite song on your ipod to run to? Or if you don't listen to music, what do you think about when you run?

Superchick, ONE MORE


What do you find most difficult about running and how do you overcome this difficulty?

the demands of finding the time. I don't often "feel" like running, but I always FEEL so good after it, and even during it after about five minutes of re adjustment

Do you have a race coming up? When and where?

two half marathons, October 2011, Stuart, Fl, Halloween Half and Miami Half, January, 2012


Do you have a favorite movie or book about running?

chariots of fire for sure


Who is your favorite running hero?

anyone who chooses to run a marathon that has never run before, so YOU are lulu!


Can you offer me any advice on how I can best train to get to the 2011 NYC marathon finish line?

one step at a time, literally don't over train, as it causes injury. running two average runs is good, and then one long run a week. doing stretching will save the day as well.


(Jenny in Miami 2011-she wrote my name on her arm because I missed the race-so kind!)

What's your best advice for fighting negative thinking when faced with a challenge like running 26.2 miles?

DURING the race - have a bible verse, this was so good for me. you already have your race dedicated to others, my first marathon was Hebrews 10:23, dedicated to my Dad, my best fan (in heaven. next one was Isaiah all of chpt 40, and was dedicated to heart disease and the two girls I coached through their first marathon

after a certain mile, many say 18, or 20, it just HURTS, no matter what. push push push, and know that YOU are reaching a goal for YOU, it is worth it. don't let the pain take over in your head. you chose this for bigger reasons and crossing that line has more to it than running some race.


Anything else you want to say about running?

keep it fun, keep it fresh, with your music, with where you run, who you run with
keep growing as a runner, but don't beat yourself up when you aren't exactly
where you want to be and DON'T compare yourself to other runners

one of my favorite shirts I saw during a race, Sarah's Race Sarah's Pace

this is YOUR race, and it is YOUR finish line and end time. it belongs to you.

Thank you Jenny, for being a 18+ year inspiration in my life. Whether playing tennis at your married housing apt at FSU, or football in your Texas seminary yard some Thanksgiving, or surfing at the beach, or walking across the WillyB bridge in NYC, your passion for movement has always been a good for me. I appreciate you and your many gifts!