JANUARY 2010 R3 FEETURE Runner

Read here about Kate Hover, a Mom, a Military Wife, a Runner, a positive part of the Clarksville Community.

FROM KATE:
I am a military wife and mother of three (6, 5, and 3 years old). I started running 13 years ago in Georgia after meeting another military wife who was a runner. We lived in the same apartment complex, had both recently married, and moved away from home for the first time in our lives. We’d meet to run, chat, and to pass the time while our husbands were away. Since I was new to running, a mile or two was about all we’d accomplish. Next, my husband and I moved to Hawaii where I met another military wife who motivated me to run. She had just recently had a baby and was trying to get back into shape. While in Hawaii, I ran several races including a marathon, a triathlon and an adventure race that lasted over 17 hours and covered 72 miles! However, I didn’t consider myself a serious runner and I just enjoyed each event at my own pace. It wasn’t until three more moves and three babies that I started to get serious about running. I had three kids in three years, and I had already quit my job as a teacher to stay home and take care of the children.

After my third child was born (on the same day my husband left for a 12-month deployment to Iraq), I set a goal to get back into shape and to become a better runner. I started out running short mileage, but I trained for and ran the Army Ten Miler in October 2007 averaging 8:20 per mile. I was thrilled! Up to this point I never thought that I could run faster than a 9-minute mile. After that race, I joined a local running group in Charlottesville, Virginia and trained for another ten-miler. Just five months after the Army Ten Miler, I ran the Charlottesville Ten Miler at less than 8:00 per mile!
Now I am part of the R3 Team in Clarksville. Running with a group has helped me meet people in the community, to learn the area, and to run in places where I normally would not have visited. I never would have met my running friends if it weren’t for the group. I would rather meet friends for a run than for lunch, shopping, or pedicures. The R3 Team has also helped me become a better runner. I ran the Country Music Half Marathon in April at 7:37 per mile.

Although I usually crave running , there are times when it can feel like a chore. Times when the kids’ homework and extra activities seem endless... Times when my kids are sick or when my husband is working long hours or deployed... But it doesn’t matter - I make running a priority. I schedule it on the calendar along with my children’s school and sporting events, volunteering, FRG meetings, etc. It helps that my husband is a huge supporter, but I get a babysitter for times when he can’t be home. Running requires a commitment, but the payoff is more than worth it.

To all of you busy moms out there, I say NO EXCUSES. Make a commitment to yourself. Set a goal and start out small if you are new to running. If I can do it, you can too! Running makes me a better mom. I love it!

FACEBOOK!! Here we go..

Hello!... Ok, not only are we on Twitter, Blog and our own page.. we submitted to FACEBOOK.. Yes,, we are on pages. Sign up and get updates and info, pics and more. Look forward to hearing from you.

How was the Resolution Run?? Let us know.

The Resolution Run. So many people came out for the Resolution Run. I believe there were around 55 people there. How exciting to start your New Year off with a run. Whether it be for your health or new goals.. a run on New Year's is sooo good.

So let's hear some feedback on the run. We would love to do this once a month or every couple of months. Just let us know what would improve it or what was great about it..

If you are in the store, say thanks to Mike, he put the Jan Run together.

Also, the Half Marathon Team will meet for the first time on January 14th. More info to follow.

Thanks always,

Keep Running,

R3