Jonathan Harrison RIF #65
This week’s RIF Club Member Profile is Jonathan Harrison #65. After reading Jonathan’s answers to our questions, I’ve come to the conclusion that RIFers just like to have fun! But honestly, it’s awesome to see everyone take their running seriously but not take themselves too seriously.
Check out what Jonathan had to say about running, the funniest thing he saw before a run, and his family:
INFO
Name: Jonathan Harrison
RIF #: 65
Twitter: @jdharrison37
Facebook: jonathan harrison
STATS
Years Running: 1.79
Favorite Race Distance: Marathon
Favorite PR: 2012 Boston Marathon
Favorite Race: 2011 St. Jude Marathon (Memphis)
Favorite Bling: 2012 Boston Marathon & 2012 Jackson Jackass 50k (tie)
Next Race: Marathon for Memories (September)
What Makes You FEEL Fast?: Passing other runners in a race while pushing my boys in their double-stroller while they yell “Pass another one daddy!”
FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS
Who inspires your running and why? Many people inspire my running. Leah, my wife, inspires me daily with her amazing dedication to being the best runner she can be. My running friends inspire me, especially when they run faster or farther than they ever have before. People who “don’t have an athletic bone in their body” but still get out there and run anyway.
Probably the most inspiring moment I’ve experienced though was somewhere between miles 14 and 18 during the 2012 Boston Marathon. It was blazing hot, I was feeling nauseous, I was starting up ANOTHER hill and started to complain in my mind about how terrible I felt while wondering if I could keep my pace. At that moment I saw a guy in a wheelchair who only had 1 leg pushing himself up that hill…backwards. I still recall that scene when I’m really struggling during a tough training run or in a race.
What is the strangest/funniest thing you’ve ever seen while running? I actually have a picture of it. It happened a few hours before the start of the 2012 Boston Marathon. Not only was it strange and funny, but it was also…bizarre. LOL! (see picture)
With RIF #40 Scott Stader…striking a pose!
What’s the most beautiful place that you’ve run? Beside Leah (RIF #64). Behind her isn’t too bad either. 😉
What is the thing you splurge on after a race? To be completely honest, a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. I know there are much healthier things I could choose, but I love it! Although I don’t feel as guilty as I use to since they came out with so many great Greek Frozen Yogurt flavors. Hmmm….I all of sudden feel the urge to go buy a pint right now.
What running moment are you most proud of? When my wife & I finished our first marathon together hand-in-hand. A close second would be getting 2nd in my age group in a 5k on Father’s Day weekend while pushing my boys.
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It’s very cool to see how much Jonathan loves running and how he shares that with his sons and Leah. He has the best of both worlds: fun and great running partners! I think a lot of us start out on a lonely road when we take up running. No one else can run for us but it sure is nicer when we have someone to share it with. My sister just started running a few months ago and I’m hoping I can convince her to do a race with me. She’s been to a few of my races so she knows how much fun they are and she said she would think about it but “no marathons”. I think I might be able to talk her into a 5K or 10K, maybe even a half marathon. I’m crossing my fingers. Hopefully you have friends and/or family to run with too. If not, maybe you can encourage one or more of them to start!
Thanks for sharing your memories and running with us, Jonathan. Good luck at Marathon for Memories and don’t forget to have fun and Run It Fast!
If you’d like to join Run It Fast – The Club or would like more information about it, please click this link:
Run It Fast – The Club (JOIN TODAY)
[All photos submitted by Jonathan Harrison]
