A brief introduction:
My name is Steve Kulp. Our friends at Empower have asked me to blog about life as a new runner and my training for the Bull City Race Fest Half-Marathon (http://bullcityracefest.com).
Before I actually start blogging in earnest, I thought it would be worthwhile to take a minute to introduce myself. Here are a few fun facts to give you some insight into where I’m coming from:
- I’ve been running “seriously” for about a year. In that year, I have lost 30+ pounds and gone from gasping and wheezing through my first 5k to comfortably finishing the Tarheel 10 Miler (http://tarheel10miler.com).
- I run with training groups at Fleet Feet Carrboro (http://www.fleetfeetcarrboro.com/training). I started as a participant in their 5k training last fall. After a few other training programs with them, I’m about to begin their half-marathon training program – this time as a mentor, helping others train to meet their goals.
- I’ve been training at EMPOWER on and off since 2009. In the last few months, I’ve been training with Nestor, who has done a great job of designing workouts that make me a stronger and more stable runner.
- I work from home. Theoretically, this means that I can go for a run whenever I like. In reality, it means that I spend a lot of time at my desk thinking about going for a run if I wasn’t so busy (or lazy).
- I’m a dad. (This is relevant simply because I consider chasing a toddler around as a part of my training regimen.)
- I’m still learning to love running. At this point, I’d classify it as a “frenemy.” There are days when I love it and days when I hate it, but I know when my life is better for it.
Over the next few months, you’ll see posts from me about the ups and downs of training for a 13.1 mile race. Don’t expect expert training tips or lofty motivational philosophy – just random musing from the road.
If there’s any common theme for the blog posts to come, it’s that if I can be a runner, anyone can be a runner. All you really need is two feet and a little motivation.
