River Region Runners

Never was I happier to read Runner's World magazine than when I picked up the March 2010 issue. On the cover is America's top distance runner, Kara Goucher.
Inside, she talks about her mentaldemons, her struggles with confidence and how she overcame the negativity in her head.

Two sentences in the article's introduction forced me to read the entire piece: "When she toes the line in a 10-K, the runners around her wonder if she'll set an American record. Inside her head, though, she's wondering if she can finish without walking."

It took two full days to forgive myself. Pulling out of the Mercedes Half Marathon last weekend at mile 4 with a stomach virus did not sit well with me.  Receiving a DNF was heart wrenching after all the time I put into training for this race: the 4:45 a.m. wake-up calls, the tempo runs, intervals, two-hour weekend runs.

OMG, I WANT TO SAVE ORPHANS AND I LOVE EVERYONE!!!"

That's a text I sent to my running coach and friend, regular columnist Kym Klass, a few days ago. The text was out of character for me, but I meant it and sent it. I was high.

Alabama Speaker of the House Seth Hammett takes the mornings to himself. His days start at about 5 a.m. when he gets ready for his morning run in his East Montgomery neighborhood. Every morning finds the 63-year-old running a 3-mile route. It's his only time alone during the day.