Lindsay Lohan is quietly discussing with her close friends about running the Los Angeles Marathon next year in 2014.

It’s not uncommon for celebrities to run marathons. It happens every year mostly in big city marathons, especially New York and Los Angeles.

Lohan has recently been inspired and coached by Olympian Shannon Rowbury after meeting her a few weeks ago according to Naughty But Nice Rob.

Shannon was shopping at the Nike store in her hometown of San Francisco and Lindsay and a pal were also there shopping. Lindsay is a regular at the Niketown Beverly Hills store and actually does some running near her Hollywood Hills home.

Shannon, who’s been dubbed “The Natalie Portman of Track and Field” because of her classic good looks and cinema studies (Shannon earned her Master’s Degree is Film History from Duke University and is planning a remake of the cult running movie from the 1970′s “Goldengirl.“) Lindsay is a fan of Shannon’s, who is ranked amongst the Top Female distance runners in the World. Shannon previously competed at two Olympic Games (2008 and 2012) and won a Bronze medal at the 2009 World Games as well.

I think this is great for Lindsay. As many of us know, running or working out can become as much if not more of an addiction than alcohol or drugs are for some. If Lohan can replace her old, damaging habits with something productive like running she could really do a 180 not only with her life but for her endangered acting career.

Lindsay naturally has a lean body with long legs and she could, with proper coaching and hard work, become a really good runner and/or marathoner.

Best of luck, Lindsay!

[source: NBNR]

RIF #214 Kevin Brandon

We haven’t had a profile of one of our Run It Fast – The Club members in a while. We have been growing in leaps and bounds and thought it was time we started catching up with our Club members again. This week’s profile is RIF #214 Kevin Brandon from Tennessee. I got a chance to meet Kevin for the first time at the Run Under The Stars Endurance Run at the beginning of June and also got to see him race at the Jackal Trail Marathons later that month. I was impressed with how well he did and how focused he was. Kevin has a funny sense of humor but two things he’s serious about are his family and his running.

Check out Kevin’s profile:

INFO

Name: Kevin Brandon
RIF #: 214
Twitter: @kevinbrandon18
Instagram: http://instagram.com/runswithalimp

STATS

Years Running: 4
Favorite Race Distance: 1/2 marathon
Favorite PR: Murfreesboro 1/2 marathon 1:40:33
Favorite Race: St Judes Memphis Marathon
Next Race: Run Around the World 24 HR Race
What Makes You FEEL Fast?: Fresh legs, a light head wind , maybe even a slight rain

FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS

Why did you start running?
Lose weight and be healthier. I started as a 271 lb exMarine, very out of shape and with small boys that would copy my every move. It was quite motivating to get up and be a better example to them.

Who inspires your running and why?
Many people inspire me, from my friends to my children.

If you could go for a run with any famous person (living or dead), who would it be and why?
Anyone with a great story and a willingness to share a few miles.

What’s the most beautiful place that you’ve run?
Daytona Beach 🙂

Which of your running routes makes you the happiest and why?
Just the local trails @ Montgomery Bell state park. its funny how they’ve been here my whole life and only now do I feel completely at home anywhere on them.

What is your favorite go-to pre-race meal?
Pancakes 🙂

What is the thing you splurge on after a race?
Lol, a Guinness or Sammy.

Big races or small races? And why?
I prefer small races. I love the more intimate atmosphere.

What running moment are you most proud of?
Finishing Strolling Jim 40 Miler with my son , who ran 26.2 miles of this very hilly course with me.

If you can’t run, you’re…Lost

Finally, Kevin would like to share this about running:
I’m still very new to Marathon/ultra running. In the 3 yrs I’ve been racing, I’ve met some amazing people. I’ve run in some great places. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me. I’d love to think the best is yet to come.

***

Anybody who loves pancakes is OK in my book! 🙂 But seriously, I think it is awesome that Kevin wanted to set a good example for his sons. I think he has definitely done that! I have no doubts that Kevin has a lot of great running ahead of him and we look forward to watching him grow as a runner.

Good luck with your fall training Kevin!

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 Kevin Brandon]

RIF #140 Dennis Arriaga

This week’s Run It Fast – The Club Profile is #14o Dennis Arriaga. Dennis hasn’t been running that long but he’s already accomplished a lot…and not just running. Dennis once suffered from CPS (Couch Potato Syndrome)! But not anymore! Check out his profile to find out more about how Dennis hopes to prevent CPS from recurring:

INFO

Name: Dennis Arriaga
RIF #: 140
Blog: dennarr.com
Twitter: @dennarr

STATS

Years Running: 1 yr, 5 mos
Favorite Race Distance: Half marathon (at least right now!)
Favorite PR: Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon – 1:44:45
Favorite Race: I have yet to run a race twice (maybe a good thing) but my favorite venue and race so far has to be the Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay. I LOVE the Monterey area and to run along the bay shore was cool.
Favorite Bling: There are two medals that mean a lot to me at this point in my running life: The medal I got for my first race and the one for my first full marathon. They both are basic medals – I do have medals from other races that are cooler in design – but the meaning is what sets these apart. The 5K one was for the Pacific Grove Lighthouse 5K and I had recently “graduated” from the Couch to 5K program. It was the “can I really do this?” test – and I did…BOOYAH! The bling from my first full marathon was, to me, the sign that I had arrived – I was not only a runner, but a distance runner. The course for that “full” involved two loops and runners had to grab a rubber band to indicate that they had completed each loop – I kept those as part of the bling…they were earned! I also got third in my age group for the marathon – which added to the memorable day.

Next Races: Rock’n’Roll San Francisco (4/7), and the Big Sur International Marathon (4/28)
What Makes You FEEL Fast?: It’s weird, but for me it’s the shoes. For some reason, new shoes seem to inspire me to RUN IT FAST and my workouts/runs/races tend to be a bit speedier the newer the shoes.

FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS

Why did you start running?
To be honest, I am a natural-born couch potato. That said, after losing about 115 pounds over the course of 1.5 years (all without a bit of exercise…proof that one can do it by calorie counting alone); my doctor chided me and said I needed to start moving if I wanted to keep the weight off. The fear was that I would put the weight back on as I had numerous times before. I do not like going to the gym, it just doesn’t fit with my lifestyle or schedule, so running seemed appealing. I downloaded the Couch-to-5K app and the rest is history…albeit only 1.5 years at this point…but I see myself running as long as I am able to move forward at any speed.

What is your favorite go-to pre-race meal?
I don’t really eat just before a race (other than a plain bagel), but I do carb load for two days before a half or full marathon. I have two favorite, pre-race, dinners that I alternate between the two days: Spaghetti with just a bit of marinara sauce (the old faithful among runners) and Chinese take-out: a pint of white rice with quart of broccoli. I’ve experimented with other things over the course of a year and these two provide the carbs and don’t bug my stomach the next day (yeah, even the broccoli.)

How many pairs of running shoes do you have and which pair are your favorites?
Right now, I have seven in the closet – all varying in age and mileage. I do most of my running on the road right now, so I only have one pair of trail shoes. I like Saucony right now and my favorite shoe is the Kinvara 3 (I have 5 pair). The trail shoe I use is their Xodus 3.0 and I just added a Type A5 to my coral – light & fast!

Why do you race?
For me, I race to hold myself accountable to training – for some it’s the other way around. As in many areas of life, I can’t see myself showing up to do something without being prepared – racing is no different. Having a “big one” on the calendar always gets me out of bed when I would rather turn over…

What’s your pre-race routine?
Nothing too exciting… The night before, I set everything out and chill. The day of the race, I wake up early and the first thing I do is eat a plain bagel (I guess one superstitious part of this whole routine is that I always buy Sara Lee brand, plain bagels.) I shower, dress, and go. On the drive, I always listen to a playlist I’ve put together of the music from the movie about the 2010 Western States race: “Unbreakable.” I like to arrive at the venue early, hit the Port-o-Johns (PoJ) while they are fresh(!), check in, and then chill – sometimes in my car, sometimes with the crowd. At 45 before, I eat a gel, do some light stretches and strides, and hit the PoJ. At 15 before, I eat a gel, a salt tab, and hit the PoJ. Then it’s GO TIME!

If you can’t run, you’re ________?
Ask my wife…grumpy!

***

Congratulations to Dennis for losing 115 lbs and overcoming Couch Potato Syndrome! It is not easy to keep that much weight off. It takes 10 times as long to take it off as it does to put it on but it is well worth the effort. Running is a great way to keep the pounds off and it’s fun! It doesn’t have to be running, of course, but running is one of the easiest ways to get moving. Yes, it’s hard in the beginning but stick with it and you’ll learn to love it like Dennis does. Just look at how much fun he’s having in his pictures! I especially love the trail photo. That looks like it was a muddy blast!

Thanks for sharing Dennis! Good luck at R&R San Francisco and Big Sur! 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 Dennis Arriaga]

Here is a compilation of twenty very different and diverse runners that you should be following on Instagram. They are runners of all levels from all over the world. They all have very lively Instagram feeds and are worth a follow.

If you have someone you believe we should have included then drop a comment below with your suggestion and we’ll check them out.

1. Steve Clemons (@vo2_max)

Trail runner and adventurer living in paradise (Hawaii) and sharing his world and his travels with his family through envy inducing photos.

2. Melissa Middleton (@melissamiddleton)

Talented ultramarathoner who always has her iPhone in it’s holster and ready to capture that perfect nature shot during one of her intense ultramarathons.

3. Joshua Holmes (@joshuaholmes)

Extreme ultrarunner and founder of Runitfast.com that Instagrams frequent photos of his training, racing, children, friends, travels and interesting people he meets from across the globe.

4. Catra Corbett (@dirtdiva33)

Hot body, extreme-inked runner whose Instragrams are as fun and colorful as her skin and adventures.

5. Scott Jurek (@scottjurek)

One of the greatest ultramarathons of all-time. He uploads beautiful photos of his mountain runs and food, but Scott doesn’t Instragram all that much. Just 106 photos in the past 56 weeks.

6. Ashley Ringo Walsh (@ashruns100s)

Many beautiful photos of the unique and scenic places that Ashley runs in the deep South. She Instragrams a lot and rarely disappoints with her steady stream of uploads.

7. Carlos Henrique Silva (@carlossilva07)

International runner from San Paulo, Brazil. His photos show a lot of life, fun, run, and beautiful sights from his native Brazil.

8. Cecilia Santos (@ceci_run)

Inked Puerto Rican ultramarathoner from North Georgia that runs challenging races, lives a diverse life, and has the coolest ‘ULTRA’ tattoo on the planet.

9. Andy Baldwin (@drandybaldwin)

Dr. Andy from ‘The Bachelor’ fame shows he’s not just a pretty face but very serious about charity, health, being fit, and endurance sports in his Instagram photos.

10. Norma Bastidas (@ultrarunwild)

Accomplished ultramarathoner who posts tons of inspirational message-grams mixed with some training and race photos.

11. Gary Robbins (@garyrobbins)

Canadian ultramarathoner who is a multiple winner of the extremely tough HURT 100 ultramarathon in Honolulu. Beautiful photos from snow-capped mountains to tropical beaches can be found in his feed.

12. Leigh Marsh (@msprincessleigh)

Disney princess masquerading as a runner. Leigh’s photos are fun and filled with lots of bling and tiaras. Guaranteed to make you smile when you see how happy she is running.

13. Ian Sharman (@sharmanian)

Super speedy (sometimes costumed) marathoner and ultra runner sharing fun pics of running, costumes, travels, his pups, and beer & food.

14. Lisa Gonzales (@runlikeacoyote)

RIF #5 and regular contributor to Run It Fast who races often and posts amazing photos from all over Southern California. Easily the most skilled photographer on this list.

15. Josh Cox (@josh_cox)

An elite marathoner with an eclectic mix of Instagrams that are all over the map with no real pattern or recognizable rhythm, but that will suck you in and have you hitting that like/heart button on the next one of his that pops up.

16. Pavement Runner (@pavementrunner)

Bay Area runner sharing sights, music, and motivations as he runs this year (2013 miles in 2013) in and around San Francisco, CA.

17. Naresh Kumar (@iamarunr)

A combination of the adventure of Indiana Jones, mixed with the heart of Gandhi, combined with the daring antics of Evil Knievel and his Instragrams reflect just that.

18. Colin Cooley (@runwicked)

Wicked SoCal boy with a lot of sun, surf, run, and fun pics.

19. XPlantRunner (@xplantrunner)

Runner with a heart transplant who is using his second chance to do a little trail running and share his adventures on the trails around England’s Lake District.

20. Krissy Moehl (@krissymoehl)

Ultra runner and race director who shares lots of trail and race pics that make you want to sign up for a race immediately!

You can follow Run It Fast on Instagram @RunItFast to see photos of runners we admire, Run It Fast-Club members, and repost of the best running photos we come across.

We also feature other runners on Instagram on our feed, who tag their running photos with the hash tag #runitfast, to help us find their photos.

RIF #10 Dianna Seda

This week’s Run It Fast – The Club profile is #10 Dianna Seda. The picture above is Dianna with one of her coaches. You’ll have to read her profile to see the reason for that. So check it out!

Meet Dianna:

INFO
Name:  Dianna Seda
RIF #:  10
Blog:  http://diannaseda.wordpress.com/  (Goal for 2013 is to post more!)
Twitter:  @DiannaSeda
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dianna.seda
LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/diannaseda

STATS
Years Running: Been long distance running for the last 3 ½ years. However, have run consistently since I was 14!  <–Gasp! Let’s not do any math here!
Favorite Race Distance: Half Marathon
Favorite PR: 2:12:30 at Chicago Half Marathon 2012
Favorite Race: Hot Chocolate 15K in 2011
Favorite Bling: Love them all! Especially proud of Chicago Half Marathon 2012 which was my 1^st 13.1!

Next Races: So far…Shamrock Shuffle 8K, Soldier Field 10, Rock-n-Roll Chicago Half Marathon & Fort 2 Base (10 Nautical Miles) Year is still young, more to sign up for!
What Makes You FEEL Fast?:  When running the same race, when I realize  that my time has gotten better from one year to the next makes me feel GREAT!!!

FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS

Why did you start running?
When I was 14, my dad had asked my brother to go on a run with him. My brother said no and I remember very vividly how disappointed my dad looked so I spoke up and said I’d go. I lasted a whole quarter of a mile! I thought I was gonna just die! It hurt to breathe, I had a cramp in my side and I remember thinking “people really do this for fun?!” But, I stuck with it. I got stronger. I had some really good conversations with my dad. Over time, I found that I just enjoyed how a good run made me feel.

Who inspires your running and why?
My family inspires me to run.  They have all grown up knowing that I run. My girls find races for me to do. Last fall, they realized that a local zoo was having a fun run.  I had no idea until they pulled up the website and said, Go for it, Mommy!  It was certainly one of my more interesting runs, check out this crazy course that was mapped out on an app while I ran!

If you could go for a run with any famous person (living or dead), who would it be and why?
This is really going to sound goofy but quite honestly, I would just love to run with Forrest Gump! To have the ability and the time to just run and run sounds pretty great to me. No limitations on time, just free to go.

What’s the most beautiful place that you’ve run?
There are actually 2 places that I have found absolutely beautiful when running and those are San Diego and Sunset Beach, FL. In both places, I found myself running for miles along the water with no destination in mind just the peacefulness a runner gets when your mind and body are in tune with your surroundings.  There is just something magical about running in a warmer climate by the water. So far, nothing quite compares to it.

Have you ever worn a costume during a race? What was it and for what race? If not, would you?
Yes! I just dressed up in a Santa costume for the Santa Hustle 5K in Chicago. It was certainly one of the funnier races that I have run. It was a little chaotic and rather hard to find friends amongst 8000 Santas! I would certainly wear a costume again for a race but note to self, leave the beard at home!  Hot, hot, hot!

How many pairs of running shoes do you have and which pair are your favorites?
Currently, I have 6 pairs of running shoes.  I’m a girl, I love shoes and I don’t care if I don’t need them, I must have them! However, my current favorite is my Brooks. The 1^st time I put them on, they just felt right. I was able to get a 10 mile run in and my feet felt great!

Why do you race?
I race to feel stronger and to challenge myself to do better.  Even with all of the races that I have done over the years, I still get those pre-race jitters. Lots and lots of adrenaline pumping…but, crossing that finish line is the best feeling.

What running moment are you most proud of?
I have to say that I am the most proud of the fact that I didn’t let myself get intimidated by attempting to run my 1^st half marathon. While a lot of folks here are ultra marathoners, I firmly believe you are a runner no matter what the distance as long as you do it.  To think that only a little more than 3 ½ years ago, the farthest I had run was 4 miles. When I crossed the finish line knowing that I just completed 13.1 miles, I cannot even describe the elation and pride I felt in myself. On top of this, the race had provided a service where you could be tracked in real time. My 5 year old daughter sat and watched the computer screen for 2 hours while mommy’s little dot ran. When I realized how important it was to her that her mommy could do that, it made all the training worth it.

Finally, let me know if there’s anything else you would like the rest of the club to know that we didn’t cover in the questions.
Since joining the RIF community, I have met so many wonderful runners across the world. To be a part of a group that is so encouraging and welcoming is wonderful.  In the past, I would generally sign up for a race last minute, but it has inspired me to look ahead at what I might accomplish.. I have even started investigating races around the country. Would love to run a race in another city!  Hoping to meet some of my fellow RIF’rs in the near future!

***

Love the reason Dianna had to start running and the reasons she has to keep running. Just like the example her father set for her, she is setting a great example for her daughters. What’s even better is that they have become a part of her running, whether it’s by helping her find fun races or by cheering her on. She’s also right about one very important thing. It doesn’t matter if you run marathons or ultras. In fact, you don’t have to race at all…@bayou might get me for this but yeah, I said it! 😉 Do whatever makes you happy and whatever keeps you running. If that means 3 miles or 100, it’s up to you. Just run! 🙂

Thanks for sharing Diana! Good luck at the Shamrock Shuffle 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 Dianna Seda]

Christy Bowers RIF #60

This week’s Run It Fast – The Club profile is Christy Bowers #60. Christy and I share the same addiction. Okay, we share an addiction besides running. 😉 What is it? Check out Christy’s profile to see:

INFO
Name: Christy Bowers
RIF #: 60
Twitter: @Run2Bake
Facebook: facebook.com/christy.bowers

STATS
Years Running: 4, on and off. Was forced to take a break after a major car accident.
Favorite Race Distance: Half
Favorite PR: Tyler Rose Half Marathon. How my knee survived that hilly course, I’ll never know!
Favorite Race: That’s a tough one! Any race in NOLA; fun atmosphere and I get to visit my sis.
Favorite Bling: Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon

Next Race: Two on the same day; Hypnotic Donut Dash (a fun little 5k) and the Big D Climb (52 flights of stairs!)
What Makes You FEEL Fast?: Light breeze, 50s, and a good night’s sleep

FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS

Why did you start running?
My daughter is in competitive cheerleading. There was an athlete at her gym who was chosen as the Junior Race Director for the (then named) Dallas White Rock Marathon. We put together a relay team to show our support for her, the race, and the beneficiary, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. After that, the running bug bit!

Who inspires your running and why?
Everyone inspires me; from the elites to the beginners to the wanna-starts. There is something to be learned from each one. They help keep your eyes on your goal and your feet on the ground.

What’s the most beautiful place that you’ve run?
The wine valley in Oregon was stunning, but NOLA is the most beautiful to me.

What is your favorite go-to pre-race meal?
About 2-3 hours before a Sweet-n-Salty Almond bar, then an hour or so before a NutriGrain cereal bar. Probably not the wisest choices, but I have a hard time eating that early in the morning.

What is the thing you splurge on after a race?
After a half, there is definitely a margarita (or two) with my name on it!

How many pairs of running shoes do you have and which pair are your favorites?
Hello, my name is Christy, and I am a shoe addict. I own 12 pairs of running shoes (down from 16). The favorites are Asics Gel Nimbus (7 pairs). As soon as a new color comes out, it will be in my closet. (I need to get to the running store……)

Why do you race?
I race to stay healthy. I race to prove my doctors wrong. I race to inspire my daughter, friends and family. Even though my daughter is an athlete, it’s hard for her to wrap her head around running, even just a mile. Her school holds an annual 5K, and they run regularly in P.E. class. I picked her up one day and she beamed while telling me how far she was able to run. Mission accomplished!

Big races or small races? And why?
Both. There’s a lot of camaraderie at the smaller races, but a wider range of ability levels at the larger ones.

We asked Christy if there was anything else she would like to share and she had this to say:
In October of 2010, I was in a high-speed head-on car accident. I sustained numerous injuries to my knee, hand and wrist, back and neck (just shy of being in a halo). 5 and a half months later I completed the Dallas Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon. AMA, of course, and it wasn’t easy, but I did it! Running was what kept me focused and determined during recovery. Plus, it didn’t hurt that one of my PTs is a runner.

Those injuries are still a struggle – even had a fracture vertebrae May of last year – but I use them as motivation. I recently registered for my first full marathon (Big D) and my first ultra (RUTS)!! [Shhh! Don’t tell my orthopedists!]

I’m not trying to earn pity points. I’m trying to prove to others that you don’t have to be “100%” to run. Just get out there and go! Make yourself proud, and then others will be proud of you.

Lastly, If my twitter handle wasn’t a clue, I LOVE to bake. I’d bring cupcakes to RUTS if people didn’t think it was weird. (I may bring some anyway, if at least for myself, ha!) Being a former personal trainer, I want people to know that you can indulge every once in a while and still be healthy and fit.

***

My 3 favorite things about Christy’s profile are she’s a kindred spirit in the shoe addiction department (I’m not alone!), she bakes (and I get to enjoy the cupcakes at RUTS!) and she made an AMAZING comeback (Wow!). One of my favorite things about doing these profiles of Run It Fast – The Club members is that they show the kind of determination runners have to overcome obstacles in their lives. Sometimes the obstacles are caused by outside influences like Christy’s accident or by internal struggles like not believing you are an athlete/runner but if we “Just get out there and go!” like Christy said, we CAN do it. We CAN run and inspire and be inspired while we are doing it. Like Christy. 🙂

Thanks for sharing Christy! Good luck with your double race day 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 Christy Bowers]

RIF #185 David Pharr

This week’s Run It Fast – The Club profile is #185 David Pharr. David’s running resume includes just completing his first 50 Miler AND finishing it 38 minutes under his goal time and running in a blue dress with a crown. Both feats show he’s got guts!

Intrigued? Meet David aka Lady Liberty:

INFO

Name: David J. Pharr
RIF #: 185
Twitter: @davidpharr
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dpharrside

STATS

Years Running: 3 years
Favorite Race Distance: Marathon or more
Favorite PR: Any PR is my favorite
Favorite Race: Currently my last one, Lookout Mtn 50
Favorite Bling: Myrtle Beach Marathon

Next Race: Probably the Mill Stone 50k in Fort Mill, SC
What Makes You FEEL Fast?: Beautiful morning on a country road with some great tunes.

FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS

Who inspires your running and why?
This is a difficult question because it has many answers. My dad was a runner in college (even bought a lifetime subscription to a little start up magazine called Runner’s World back in the 70’s) and continued when I was a little kid. In fact he surprised me one time when I was 12 or 13 that he had entered me in a local 5k. It was the first and only race I ran till 2010. But I attended many of his 5k’s and 10k’s, holding his keys and waiting at the finish. He always told me that if I keep running that eventually I would “love it.” However it took over ten years past that statement before I loved it. My college roommate, Nathan Judd RIF#166 , also encouraged me to start running and has been a great race buddy over the past year. Reading Dean’s The Ultramarathon Man caused me to be fascinated with the thought of what a human can do with running (however at the time I never dreamed of running a marathon). I receive inspiration by knowing that I have inspired others to fitness/running goals. My family has been the constant inspiration though. I started running because I wanted them to have a healthy dad that wasn’t 100lbs overweight and on his way to an early death or heart disease. Still everyday when I lace up my kicks I think about those I love and making myself better for them.

If you could go for a run with any famous person (living or dead), who would it be and why?
Running with Dean Karnazes would be pretty awesome. I entered a contest once for the chance…but didn’t win.

What’s the most beautiful place that you’ve run?
David, Panama was a beautiful and neat experience.

Which of your running routes makes you the happiest and why?
There are several routes around my town of Boiling Springs that are special. Some because of things that happened on them (good training runs, or firsts), others because of how certain things were “hard” when I first started out.

Have you ever worn a costume during a race? What was it and for what race? If not, would you?
Yes…I have worn a “Lady Liberty Outfit” for 2 or 3 different races. I have some buddies that own Liberty Tax Franchises and they paid for my race fees if I would run in the outfit. People give some great looks when a 6′ 4″ Lady Liberty passes them in a race.

What is your favorite go-to pre-race meal?
Ever since I have switched my diet to Paleo it has been ribs and sweet potato fries.

What is the thing you splurge on after a race?
Chocolate Milk Shakes and Pizza.

Why do you race?
I race so I will train hard. I race so that I know if I trained hard enough. I race for the joy of making my training pay off.

Big races or small races? And why?
The biggest race I ran in was the Country Music Marathon in Nashville, I did not enjoy all the people. The smallest race was a local 5k of under 50 people that I got 3rd in. So I prefer somewhere in between.

What is the one piece of running gear you can’t leave the house without?
If you see me running, I am always wearing my garmin, my road id, an ipod and carrying a Camelbak handheld.

What’s your pre-race routine?
Selecting playlist, dynamic stretching, and a visit to the porta-potty.

What running moment are you most proud of?
Most recently completing my first 50 miler and beating my goal time by nearly 40 mins.

If you can’t run, you’re __dead or close to it______?

Finally, is there anything else you would like the rest of the club?
I started running mainly to lose weight. Back in June of 09 I was over 310lbs. I was sick of being fat and started working out and running, although I couldn’t do a full mile on the treadmill without stopping. I quickly dropped 20lbs just by increasing activity. I discovered the more I ran the more weight I loss, meaning that I was going to start running more. By Nov of 09 I set a goal to run 100 miles that month and ran 106. Then in December in hopes to fight off the holiday weight gain and the urge to stop working out/running, I decided I was going to run 2 miles everyday for 100 days. I started on December 1, 2009 this Dec. 1st I celebrated 3 years of that streak and am still going.

Before and After David's 1st marathon 2010

***

I’m not sure what I give David more credit for: running as Lady Liberty or losing weight and getting back into shape! But seriously, I can see why David inspires so many people. He’s accomplished a lot in a short time and his transformation is pretty darn cool. He obviously takes running seriously and works hard but also has a sense of humor about it so I’m sure he will have great success in the future! He’s a great example of RIF – The Club…someone who goes farther and faster than he ever thought he could. It’s not about being faster or better than anyone else. It’s all about being the best you/runner that you can be and David has that figured out. 🙂

Thank  you for sharing with us David and I LOVE the Lady Liberty photo! Good luck with the Mill Stone 50K!

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 David Pharr]

Runner Suzy Favor Hamilton has appeared in three Summer Olympics (1992, 1996, 2000) and was a very accomplished runner during her professional career.

In the past year, Suzy has found favor as a high-end Las Vegas call girl for Haley Heston’s Private Collection bringing in $600 a hour for her work according to The Smoking Gun.

Beginning last December, Suzy Favor Hamilton, 44, has worked with one of Las Vegas’s premier escort services, booking scores of “dates” in Sin City and other U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston.

While Favor Hamilton (seen at right) has used an alias, “Kelly Lundy,” when working as an escort, she inexplicably shared her true identity with several male clients, believing that her secret was somehow safe with strangers who paid for her company by leaving envelopes stuffed with cash on bathroom vanities in swanky hotels.

When approached by a reporter earlier this month in the lobby of a Las Vegas hotel, Favor Hamilton initially denied any connection with the escort service, Haley Heston’s Private Collection. But Favor Hamilton–who is married to her college sweetheart, a lawyer, and is the mother of a seven-year-old girl–eventually acknowledged her work as “Kelly.”

“I take full responsibility for my mistakes. I’m not the victim and I’m not going that route,” Favor Hamilton said. “I’m owning up to what I did. I would not blame anybody except myself.” She added, “Everybody in this world makes mistakes. I made a huge mistake. Huge.”

She held the U.S. record for the 1000m, had five sub-4 minute 1500’s, won a bronze at the Goodwill Games in 1998, and was the #1 U.S. female runner from 1989-2002.  Hamilton is one of the most famous mid-distance runners of the past twenty-five years.

Hamilton wasn’t per se desperate for cash but moreso for attention as she has a successful career post racing.

Favor Hamilton described the escort business as “exciting,” an illicit midlife diversion from her routine existence, one in which she operates a successful Madison, Wisconsin real estate brokerage with her husband, delivers motivational speeches, and does promotional work for various businesses and groups, including Disney’s running series and Wisconsin’s Potato & Vegetable Growers Association.

Hamilton’s husband, Mark, was aware of Suzy’s escorting but couldn’t persuade her to stop according to TSG.

Before this scandal, she was most famous for intentionally falling during the 2000 Olympics when she lost the lead with less than 200 meters to go, embarrassed because she wouldn’t be medaling.

Additionally, she told reporter Gary D’Amato how her brother Dan committed suicide in 1999, a year before she ran for the gold medal in the 1500-meter final at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium. She led that race with 200 meters to go, but when other competitors began to pass her, Favor Hamilton recalled, she intentionally tumbled to the track, ashamed that she could not medal in honor of her late sibling.

Hamilton seems to be accepting responsibility now that the story is out and doesn’t want to seek revenge on the john that she suspects outed her:

Referring to a client she suspected of contacting a reporter, Favor Hamilton said, “He totally broke all the rules by outing me.” But she stressed that returning fire was not her style. “I don’t want to be like him. Because he is scum. And I will not become scum to make myself feel good,” Favor Hamilton said. “I will not do it. I would suffer rather than go that route of being vindictive.”

One client offered The Smoking Gun money to keep the story from going public. He wrote this review of her services on the escort site:

In a July 2012 online review, the client–who recounted two separate encounters with “Kelly”–enthused, “She is worth every penny. I will go bankrupt before I stop seeing her. I hope no one else goes to see her, because I want her all to myself.” He added, “I never thought I would find anyone in this hobby like her.”

Suzy Favor Hamilton has had an interesting life for sure. This story was not exactly what every runner was expecting to come across when sipping on their coffee this morning, but it shows that runners are real people with real issues that sometimes make mistakes that we later regret.

Suzy Favor Hamilton/Kelly’s Escort Rates

• $600 Hour
• $1000 Two Hours
• $500 Additional Hour
• $1500 Couples Hour
• $4000 Overnight – 12 Hours
• $8000 Overnight – 24 Hours

And who said runners were boring?

More Photos of ‘Kelly’ Favor Hamiton

RIF #186 Danny Staggs

This week’s Run It Fast – The Club profile is #186 Danny Staggs. Danny is another one of our newly minted ultra runners. He just completed his first ultra at the Black Diamond 40 Mile on Black Friday and came in 4th! What a great ultra debut!

Meet Danny:

INFO
Name: Danny Staggs
RIF #: 186
Facebook: Danny Staggs

STATS
Years Running: 12
Favorite Race Distance: Marathon
Favorite PR: Oct. 2009 Louisville Marathon 3:43:44
Favorite Race: Loonies Midnight Marathon. This was my hometown’s first marathon and I just happened to be co-race director. I also ran in it and had a blast.
Favorite Bling: Little Rock Marathon. The medal is huge with a spinner in the center. It was so heavy I didn’t leave it around my neck for very long.

Next Race: Rocket City Marathon Dec 8, 2012
What Makes You FEEL Fast?: When it’s warm enough I like to run without a shirt. I always feel faster even though I may not actually be faster.

FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS
Who inspires your running and why?
My wife and daughter are my greatest inspiration. They have always been very supportive of me even before they began running. Years ago they would call me crazy for training in nasty weather and such, but now they run and participate in races and understand why I was always out there pushing myself.

Which of your running routes makes you the happiest and why?
I love training on the Loonies Marathon Course. It brings back memories of the Marathon training runs we held leading up to the race. We would invite other runners to come and train on the course. It also brings back memories of the race itself which was so much fun.

What is the thing you splurge on after a race?
I always enjoy a big hamburger as a reward.

Why do you race?
The number one reason I race is for the sense of accomplishment I feel after I’ve pushed myself to my limits both physically and mentally.

Big races or small races? And why?
Small races without a doubt. The pre race logistics are much less stressful in smaller races.

What is the one piece of running gear you can’t leave the house without?
Since I’ve been running in them I would have to say my Hoka shoes.

What’s your pre-race routine?
Wake up two hours before the race, eat breakfast which usually consists of oatmeal, yogurt, banana with peanut butter and pop tarts. I then take a shower and relax as much as possible before the race. I always like to get to the race at least thirty minutes prior to start time.

What running moment are you most proud of?
Running with my wife and daughter in a 5K race this past spring and crossing the finish line together. Words can’t describe the feeling.

Finally, Danny had this to share with the RIF readers:
I started running in the spring of 2000 as a way to lose weight and better my overall health. When I first started running regularly I was 40 pounds heavier and felt sluggish most of the time. My first race was a 5K in the summer of 2000 and I was hooked. I completed my first Marathon in April, 2001. Since then I’ve completed 46 Marathons and one Ultra Marathon along with numerous shorter distances. Most of my Marathons have taken place in the last 3 years with 15 of them in 2012. My current goal is to complete 50 Marathons before I reach age 50. If my body holds up I should easily reach that goal soon.

If I could give any running advice I would say to just stick with it. It’s not always easy and setbacks such as injuries will occur. It’s easy to get frustrated when things are not going as planned and things may not always fall into place like we hoped they would but if you continue to set goals and keep reaching for them amazing things can happen in your life. The people I’ve met and the friends I’ve made through running are better than any award I will ever receive.

***

Danny wasn’t kidding when he said his wife and daughter support his running. They crewed for him at the Black Diamond 40 Mile and they were a great help to all the runners. Danny must have really encouraged his daughter, Amanda, as well because she just became a member of Run It Fast – The Club (RIF #210) too! Welcome Amanda!

It’s kind of funny that I had planned to post Danny’s profile this week on RIF. Sometimes, we get a message from an unexpected source and the advice that Danny shared in his last paragraph was something I needed to hear this week. It’s a good reminder we can all use at times in our running careers. Things won’t always be perfect but I guess that’s what makes it so satisfying when we do reach our goals, whether it’s your 1st marathon or your 46th. Thank you Danny for sharing that and letting us interview you.

Good luck at Rocket City this weekend and on your quest to do 50 by 50. I have no doubt you will 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 Danny Staggs]

RIF #181 Donna as an honorary Hatfield at the Hatfield McCoy Marathon

Time for another Run It Fast – The Club profile! This week, we are spotlighting RIF #181 Donna Pittman. I met Donna at the Flying Monkey Marathon earlier this month and we got to run for a little while together which I really enjoyed. The Flying Monkey Marathon is hard enough but Donna had a little mishap during it that made it even more challenging but she survived…I mean, finished and got her first Monkey kill. Read her “don’t” below to read all about it!

Meet Donna:

INFO
Name: Donna Pittman
RIF #: 181
Blog: www.themommyminute.blogspot.com
Facebook: Donna Johnson Pittman

STATS
Years Running: 5.5 years
Favorite Race Distance: 13.1
Favorite PR: Kentucky Derby Marathon
Favorite Race: Oak Barrel Half Marathon
Favorite Bling: Hatfield-McCoy Marathon finisher’s plaque in a mason jar.
Next Race: My first trail marathon at Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky on March 9.
What Makes You FEEL Fast?: Finishing strong and when I do tiny races and come out with an age group placement.

FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS
Who inspires your running and why?
The members of this RIF Club inspire me daily. I love how so many are “outside the box” runners completing extreme challenges in terms of distances, back-to-back races, running on trails and up mountains. You all search out adventure, not just another 5K PR, and I need more people like that in my life.

What is the strangest/funniest thing you’ve ever seen while running?
The strangest thing I’ve ever DONE on a run was at the Run Under the Stars in June of this year. I guess because it is a night race or because I overloaded on sodium, my feet swelled to the point that my shoes no longer fit by mile 13. I had huge blisters and all my toenails hurt. I thought I was going to have to finish in flip flops. Then I figured if MY shoes didn’t fit, why not try someone else’s? My friend James had already run about 20 miles in his shoes and was switching to fresh ones. So, I put on his hot, sweaty men’s shoes three sizes too big and completed my first 50K in them. My friends said I looked like I was running in clown shoes, but hey, whatever works.

Which of your running routes makes you the happiest and why?
My happy place is the Bicentennial Trail in Ashland City, TN. It is 17 minutes from my house. On one side, it is a four-mile paved path along the river. There is an old wooden bridge to cross and even a little waterfall in one spot. The other side is a dirt road/trail along the river for a few miles, then I follow the road through a campground, beside a little beach, and past Cheatham Dam. It’s where I discovered long-distance running. The first time I ever ran 13.1 miles was there. 6. Have you ever worn a costume during a race? What was it and for what race? If not, would you?

Why do you race?
Well, certainly not to win! I love being a part of the community of runners. That camaraderie is my favorite part. I talk to people in port-o-john lines. I initiate conversations on the course. I stay afterwards just hanging out. I enjoy spending time with my old friends and make new ones. In two of my five marathons, I’ve made a friend around mile 13 and stayed with him/her until the end. We shared our life stories (at my pace, we are talking for 2+ hours….), but most importantly, we shared the suffering. Suffering shared is so much better than suffering alone. I do races for fun, mostly, but a few times a year, I go all out to see what my body can do. I’ve only “left it all out there” a couple of times though. I need to do that more often.

What was your biggest “don’t” of a race?
Falling down at the 10.7 mark of the Flying Monkey Marathon is my biggest “don’t.” I had never fallen on pavement or a trail before. One minute I was talking to Lisa Gonzales, the next minute I was looking at sky. I stepped in a pothole in the asphalt, rolled my left ankle, and went down hard on the right side. I sprained my ankle and my wrist. Then I had to run 15.5 more miles. But, I figure the Monkey was going to hurt anyway…..

What running moment are you most proud of?
The race I’m most proud of is the April 2012 Kentucky Derby Marathon. I trained hard, studied the course, and wrote a detailed race plan of what pace when. I even wrote my goal splits in Sharpie on my arm for miles 13, 16, 20, 23, and 25. I executed my plan exactly, ran negative splits, and finished 3 minutes ahead of my “best-case scenario” goal. It was a nine-minute PR, and I definitely left it all out there. Those last couple of miles hurt, but were my fastest of the day.

Finally, we asked Donna if there was anything else she would like the rest of the club to know and that is what she had to share:
When I started running in 2006, I absolutely fell in love. Running changed my life. I knew I had to share this amazing experience with others, so I became a RRCA certified running coach. Over the last three years, I’ve coached aspiring runners ages 5-12, led two Couch to 5K training groups, and have helped 122 runners and run/walkers cross their first half-marathon finish line. As a coach, I’ve discovered that most people just need someone to believe in them. I love sharing my passion with others!

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Donna said she admires RIF – The Club members for being ” “outside the box” runners ” but I think she shows a lot of that herself…like wearing “clown shoes” so she can keep running at the Run Under The Stars race (a timed, loop race). She also obviously has a LOT of determination to not quit after spraining her ankle while running the Flying Monkey. She passed me later on in the race and I had no idea that she was hurting like that! I admire Donna for her guts, her outside the box thinking, and her willingness to help other runners and give back! Thanks for sharing Donna! Good luck with your next race and…Run It Fast!

I am seeing an awesome trend while doing these profiles of Run It Fast – The Club members. So many of them are helping others and giving back to the running community and I think that’s what makes it such a great club. It is so cool to have so many supportive and encouraging runners help each other and push each other to be the best we can be!

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 Donna Pittman]