Blog Archives

Choose your own adventure: Running for a cause (in costume)

Posted on by
1

adventure

I hate running. In my opinion, there is nothing fun about it, except the part where it’s over and I can take a nap. Why I would agree to run a 5K on a cold,
damp October morning can only be attributed to one thing – I could do it dressed as a pirate.

Yes, that’s right, a pirate.

The organizers of the Muddy Monster 5/15K race at Seminole Valley Park had found my weakness. As much as I loathe running, I love Halloween; and I couldn’t resist the lure of donning my favorite costume and running along side the likes of Hansel and Gretel and Bret Michaels.

But half way through the race, I began to regret my decision.

Sweat was running down my temples, my heart was thumping furiously and my lungs were fighting to take in enough air. I hit a wall on the home stretch and was struggling to finish the final mile needed complete my first 5K.

Encouraging words from my running partner helped silence the voice in my head saying, “Go ahead, walk a little, no one will notice,” and I managed to keep up my pace for another mile.

“Arrrgh matey!” I cried out as I crossed the finish line with a time of 35 minutes and 31 seconds.

Not exactly a record shattering pace, but fast enough to place 205th out of 279 runners and burn a few calories. And since the Muddy Monster supports the Variety Children’s Charity my $26 registration fee would help provide services to hundreds of Iowa children; a thought that helped ease my aching muscles.

So, if you are like me and running really isn’t your thing, find a race that combines it with something that is. Bring along a running partner for support and encouragement — I would have walked the last mile if it wasn’t for mine — and keep your eye on the big, inflatable finish line. Because once the running is out of the way, the fun part begins, usually with free food and massages. If I had that to look forward to every time I ran, it wouldn’t have taken me two years to complete my nine-week Couch-to-5K running program.

Check out www.runningwall.com for a searchable calendar of races in Iowa.
­— KELSEY

Chad Kreel’s Fave Five

Posted on by
Reply

0514_hoo_chadkreel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chad Kreel, 32, Mechanicsville
Director of Marketing @ Community Savings Bank

 

 

0514_hoo_favefivefishingThe great outdoors
For all those outdoor and nature nuts, you know what I’m talking about. Fishing and hunting are the name of the game. The thrill when your fishing pole gets a hit by something big and the prize and adrenaline rush when you’re bringing it in. There’s nothing like it! Bring it on!

 

 
0514_hoo_favefivecyclingCycling
I never thought I would be on the road, riding a bike. Now it’s in my blood. Where else can you hit the road, be competitive, and get a good workout? OK, I’m sure some of you have other things, but cycling is a workout like no other. You want to burn you legs up, hit the hill out on Rosedale off Mount Vernon Road.

 

 

MVRA TRAIL RUNRunning
Cinch up your laces and hit the road. Just like cycling, running gets in your blood and it doesn’t leave. Sure it hurts at the beginning, but just like all things, once you get used to it, you’ll want more. I take on the country gravel roads where I don’t have to worry so much about the busy traffic or idiots traveling Mach 1. As long as you’re not scared of the cow crap, or other animals in the country, I’d recommend you get out and try it. Who knows, you might like it.

 

0514_hoo_favefivefamilyThe fam
How many of you have families? Those that do know what I’m talking about when I say they are part of my fave five. The fun times outside with my boys, whether it’s playing catch or giving them an underdog on the swing. It’s all part of this thing we call life, and I wouldn’t give it up for the world. I’m a family guy. What can I say.

 

 

0514_hoo_favefivecountryCountry Living
If you’re reading this part last, you probably have me figured out. I’m a guy that loves to be outside, in the country and with the fam. It’s the best combination. Country living isn’t always about the idea of living in the country; rather it’s about neighbors who will help you out no matter what. It’s about the freedom to go outside and race a go-cart around the yard and make all the noise you want. You get my point.

People You Should Meet: Heather Woody

Posted on by
Reply

At the speed of life

“Running is just part of who I am. It’s just in my threads.”

Heather Woody, 35, Coralville
Personal and Professional Success Coach @ Heather Woody Unlimited

Heather Woody has been running since she was 4 years old. Not tag. Not Red Rover. Not your typical playground shenanigans.

Every night when Heather’s father got home from work, they’d go out to the yard and run. From the house to the tree and the far end, touch, and back again.

Her racing debut was a Fourth of July kiddie race in her hometown of Chariton, in central Iowa, south of Des Moines.

“I think people just come with things ingrained in them,” she says. “Running is just part of who I am. It’s just in my threads.”

In college Heather was a sprinter. After a freshman year at Simpson College in Indianola, she transferred to University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls and walked onto the track and field team. A year later, she was the team captain. She graduated a two time All American in the 4 x 400-meter relay team.

College is where she met her now husband, another runner, Joey Woody, not on the track, but in the classroom.

“I like to say that he met me, which is absolutely the case,” says Heather, laughing.

After college, Joey, a hurdler, pursued his running career. He competed in several World Championship and is now the assistant track and field coach at the University of Iowa.

For Heather, life outpaced running. In 2002, though, the former sprinter took to distance running and ran her first marathon. Now she’s training for the Drake Relays half-marathon in April.

“It’s back in my blood,” she says.

Like running, Heather always knew what path her career would take.

“I’ve just always known what I wanted to do,” she says. “I think’s why I’m so passionate about it. That’s why I’m so bent on getting people into that place.”

As a personal and professional success coach, Heather spends time with individuals and teams exploring what “is at the root of their success, whether it be good or bad,” she says.

She helps company managers with leadership, teams with working through differences and individuals wrestling with career changes.

“I’m amazed at the strength people have if they just dig in,” Heather says. “People cannot underestimate the power of their own strength.”

- Carly

What she can do for you: Her businesses tagline is: “Experience Your Greatness.” Want to experience yours? Give her a call.
Did you Know: Heather can ride a unicycle. She learned as a fourth grader at Columbus Elementary School in Chariton.

Running in the Corridor with Mariah Hurley

Posted on by
1


 

 

 

 

 

 Mariah Hurley, 32, Cedar Rapids

 Singl. eView Rate Implementation Analyst @ Verizon Business

 

Running Wild
1801 Second Street, Coralville
1950 Dodge Rd NE, Cedar Rapids
www.runningwild-iowa.com
This store has two locations, one in Cedar Rapids and the other in Coralville. Forget going to a big chain store, where many of them don’t know much about runner’s needs. Running Wild is staffed with shoe fitting specialists who will analyze your gait to determine the best shoe for you. Since all of the employees are runners, they can also give you advice on any problems you’re having or about training for future races.

 

Trails
Black Hawk to Linn County
www.inhf.org/iowatrails/cvnt-intro.htm
The Cedar Valley Nature Trail offers miles of entertainment for any runner. The trail stretches almost 52 miles throughout Black Hawk, Buchanan, Benton and Linn counties. There are several conveniently located trail heads and the trail is mostly asphalt, but there are some stretches with crushed limestone. If you begin at the Hiawatha trailhead, you’ll note the mile markers begin at one. This is particularly useful if you don’t own a Garmin, but want to track your miles. Living in Cedar Rapids for the last six years, I think I’ve explored just about every bit of the trail in the nearby area.

 
Weather
www.kcrg.com/weather
OK, I know it’s odd to hear an Iowan say that the weather here is conducive to enjoyable running, but here goes. I’m sure there was a time in my life when I did not wish to run outside in the freezing cold or unbearable heat, but I’ve since changed my ways. The way I see it, you can run year-round in Iowa, if you dress properly. Yes, I still use the treadmill at my gym for those days when I just don’t feel like being in the elements. But, I try to spend the majority of my running outside. In the fall, the scenery is amazing with all the leaves turning colors and the perfect mix of cool and warmth. While the heart of summer and winter can be tough, they are doable.

 

 

CVRA
www.cvra.net
The Cedar Valley Running Association is a local organization that supports and puts on several races in the Cedar Valley area throughout the year. They also host local runs all year, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Perfect if you are a runner that needs others for motivation. The runs vary from speed and track workouts to long runs for long distance training and racing. CVRA is for all paces and levels of training. I joined CVRA last year and have really enjoyed meeting everyone in the group. They are very supportive and it’s fun to have a built in cheer section at local races! The wonderful friendships you form are probably my favorite part of running. I met one of my closest friends because of running.

 
Races
www.cvra.net
One of the best things about running is that you can constantly check your progress by running in local races. I would bet there are races in Iowa every month of the year. I love seeing how much I’ve improved over the last few years. These races are a great opportunity to check out a new town, meet new people and set personal records. Grab some friends and make a plan to race in Iowa this year.