“So, what kind of racing do you do?”
This is the question that prompted and provoked me into my running life. After I’d batted away this question that showed up whenever I was managing our family of three active little children and supporting my Ironman triathlete husband at a triathlon far away from home, I finally decided I needed an answer.
I needed to take up one of the sports of triathlon. I do not like cold water one bit, so swimming was out. I knew our family could not function if I were to get injured in a bike crash (which seems inevitable in cycling), so cycling was out. Ahhh … so I must try running.
Though I was fit in some degree from aerobics classes, power walking and yoga and had been a serious though non-professional ballet dancer in my earlier life, I was incredibly intimidated by runners and the very concept of running multiple miles at a time. I remember asking my husband, David, “Do you really think I can ever run a 5K?”
Of course, he replied that he was confident that I could. I joined a Fleet Feet No Boundaries 5K training group in late summer of 2009 at age 49, bought my first run-specific shoes, and showed up at my first practice session with a stomach full of butterflies galore. That initial buildup was physically challenging, but I found the running community to be so very supportive and affirming.
I did not expect the social benefits that I found in the group. We ran our first 5K race in Ardmore in the rain, and I met my personal goal to break 30 minutes. Afterwards, I made a pronouncement that I was going to keep on running because I was never going to go through that endurance buildup process again! And more importantly, I decided that that first race
and all the training leading up to it were actually fun.
Since that first race, my running time has become my daily time outside in nature (barring lightning or ice) and my active meditation. I truly enjoy moving through space and solving the day’s small problems along the way. Race days, whether local 5K’s or the New York City Half Marathon (my favorite race so far), are an entirely different experience, with the camaraderie of the running community giving me energy and high-fives. I even find that I often have a wee bit of competitive fire show up when I toe the start line. Who knew? I still have a tough time calling myself a runner- it still seems aspirational to me. But, I accept that I am certainly a member of our running community, whether legit or not!
Prior to marriage, moving to Winston-Salem, rearing three children, and becoming a “runner,” I was a Textile Scientist, Brand Manager, and Marketer for several companies, retiring from duPont. As Brand Manager for both Tactel and Supplex nylons, I was part of the team that introduced microfiber tech fabrics into sports specific apparel. So I had a little something to do with all those neat moisture wicking running shorts, shirts, and tights in your wardrobes. No more sweaty cotton T-shirts on long summer runs!
When I was Tactel Brand Manager for ICI Fibres, we sponsored Olympic Gold Medalists, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Florence Griffith Joyner (Flo Jo) and their team. They made appearances for us at trade shows and in print media. I was in awe of being in their presence at the time of course, but I wonder what questions I would ask them now that I know a bit more about running and racing. They were amazing.
I am also a patent recipient for a system of protective cold weather clothing, footwear and sleeping system that I helped develop at Burlington Industries. The products never made it to market due to a hostile takeover and subsequent closure at BI, but the project was fascinating and also allowed me the opportunity to meet interesting and accomplished people.
Astronaut James Lovell, Commander of the Apollo 13 Mission, worked with us in advance of an adventure trip he led with several executive friends to the Arctic. We outfitted Lovell and his team with our experimental clothing and gear. They were superb wear testers, and our gear kept them safely warm and dry. I still have a personal letter Mr. Lovell sent me from that trip. It is postmarked “The North Pole.”
These days, I enjoy building up my community in Winston-Salem where I am privileged to meet and get to know incredible folks in many intersecting communities: running enthusiasts, universities, non-profits, hospitals, arts organizations and more. Twin City Track Club is a key community builder for me, and I am honored to serve as an at-large member of the Board this year. TCTC offers so many and varied options for racing, volunteering, learning, and promoting health and fitness in our community. I plan to do a bit of all of it in 2026. I hope to see you at a race, run, social, or seminar soon!