Stacey Bain quit smoking and picked up running four years ago at the age of 48. She was hooked on the sport with her first 5K. She now has 12 half marathons under her belt, and is training for The 2018 Houston Marathon, which will be her first. Along the way, she’s learned that running is a powerful happiness potion. “You’re only one run away from a good mood,” she says. “Running is cheaper than therapy!”
Stacey Bain
Major milestone: I quit smoking 4 years ago and started running at the age of 48. I ran my first 5K and I was hooked. I decided to run a race every month leading up to my first half marathon before I turned 50. Thinking it would be my only half, (yeah right!). I've completed 12 half marathons and am training for my first full marathon—the 2018 Chevron Houston Marathon.
What is the secret to your success? I’ve also learned that quality miles—like interval workouts— are better than quantity.
What is the biggest obstacle to reaching your goals and how do you get over it? Tibalius Posterior Tendonitis/Tendonosis, an inflammation in the tendon that supports the arch of the foot when walking. I have learned that quality miles are better than quantity. I’m learning to rest on rest days! I've also struggled with a new tendency to eat more sweets. Runners often develop an entitlement attitude about eating, reasoning, "I can eat that, since I ran 8 miles, etc". My sweet consumption has gotten out of control and I've really had to focus more and fueling and healthy foods!
What is the most rewarding part of training? When I've completed my long runs and races! I train alone and usually run races alone, but I love the running community.
What advice would you give to other members of the Runcoach community? When you’re thinking about your progress, remember: you might not be where you want to be, but you're not where you used to be!
We're proud to be the Official Training Partner of the 2018 Chevron Houston Marathon! To learn more, click here.
Wes Bigelow may be a relatively new runner, but he’s already learned one of the most important rules about running.
“Push yourself, but don't forget to enjoy yourself too,” he said. “If you never have any fun you probably won’t stick with it.”
Luckily, he’s having a great time. Bigelow has already logged more than 800 miles while training for his third marathon, and recently got a half-marathon PR of 2:03.
“I'm feeling great and looking forward to a little taper time,” he says. “Runcoach has been a great training plan that pushed me harder than I would have thought I could go on my own.”
Name: Wes Bigelow
Favorite sport: running
Major milestone: training for marathon number 3!
What’s the secret to your success? There is no secret. I’m a firm believer that if I can run a marathon, anybody can. It’s just a matter of commitment and desire. And maybe being a little crazy.
What is the biggest obstacle to reaching your goals and how do you get over it? The biggest obstacle to marathon training is putting in the miles. There are many days where the weather is bad or your legs are sore or you just plain don't feel like running. The only way to get over it is just lace up the shoes and go. No matter how miserable the run is, you never regret it when you finish.
What is the most rewarding part of training? Seeing your hard work pay off when you reach new milestones and set new personal records.
What advice would you give to others? There is always somebody faster and somebody slower. Run your own pace and do it for yourself, nobody else matters.
What advice would have for other runners? If you are training for a longer race like a half or full marathon, a good training program is invaluable. It keeps you on track and makes you accountable for your training. Push yourself, but don't forget to enjoy yourself too. If you never have any fun you probably won’t stick with it. Don’t be afraid to take a short break. Runcoach has worked great for me so far. I try to follow as close as I can but it doesn't feel like I'm getting penalized if a week doesn't go as well as planned.
UPDATE: After his story was published, Wes ran a 17-minute PR at the 2017 Grandma's Marathon— that's 37 minutes faster than last year. Congrats Wes! You rock!
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In the Spotlight: LinkedIn
Tuseet Jha
Human Resources
Favorite fitness activity: Running
What’s the biggest obstacle to moving more, and how do you get over it? The biggest obstacle is my mind! I now am able to recognize the feelings and thoughts that hold me back and it has become easier to overcome those because I am aware what they are or where they are coming from.
What’s the most rewarding part of moving more? The confidence I get once I complete the challenge. I feel like anything is possible!
What advice do you have for other members of the LinkedIn Challenge to Move 1 Million Miles? Recognize how to overcome the mental triggers. For example, in my case, I know that no matter how lazy I feel, the moment i put my shoes on, the mind automatically gets ready to run .
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For Tariq Brown, the physical fitness running provides pales in comparison to the emotional and mental strength it bestows.
During his hardest times, the sport has provided a gateway to healing. “I ran through my youth as a way to cope,” he says. “Now, more than 30 years later, I’ve discovered it again, and it has opened up a lot for me in my mid-life journey.”
Along the way, he has gotten fitter and faster. He recently finished his first half-marathon in 1:51.
“Last October I could barely squeeze out a 9-minute mile,” he says. “For the first time since I was 17 I am actually improving and increasing my running. I was very, very happy, and I loved the experience!”
Tariq Brown
Favorite sport: running
What’s the secret to your success? A desire to live my life fully. I seem to be pretty disciplined, too.
What’s the biggest obstacle to moving more and how do you get over it? I have struggled with addiction and depression throughout my life related to PTSD from childhood sexual abuse. I have worked very hard to eliminate from my life anything that would take me away from my true nature -- who I was before that happened. I have worked very hard to instill a spiritually-based lifestyle. I ran through my youth as a way to cope. Recently, at almost 50, I've discovered it again. It has opened up a lot for me in my mid-life journey.
What is the most rewarding part of running? It is so hard to describe to non-runners what a long run does for me. I have the added gratitude of simply completing a run without being hurt or injured. For the first time since I was 17 I am actually improving and increasing my running. I am so grateful every day when I can go out and have this experience. Last October I could barely squeeze out a 9 minute mile. I recently ran my first half-marathon in May, and finished in 1:51. I was very, very happy, and I loved the experience!
What advice would you give to other members of the Runcoach community? Many of you have deep struggles. Find your Community, tell the Truth and don't ever give up.
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In the Spotlight: LinkedIn
Dan Dancescu
Engineering Manager, LinkedIn Feed 
Favorite Fitness Activity: Cycling
What’s the secret to your success? Being competitive and always wanting to improve my performance compared to previous workouts. For example, if I go cycling, I want to get there faster than I did last time. If I get on the elliptical, I want to go a longer distance in the same period of time.
What’s the biggest obstacle to moving more, and how do you get over it? Everybody is busy, and it's not easy to find time to work out, but setting up a block of time, just like a meeting and making a point to always attend it, does it for me.
What advice do you have for other members of the LinkedIn Challenge to Move 1 Million Miles? Set a goal for yourself, then move up the bar higher and higher.
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Runcoach user Mark Gillis set a new PR at the Pittsburgh Half-Marathon this month. But the real reward was the strength he gained—and the 60 pounds he lost —on the way to the starting line. He's already setting his sight on his next goal, breaking two hours in a half-marathon this fall.
What prompted you to start running? I wanted to get healthy. And it was part of my weight-loss routine.
What was the key to your weight-loss success? Tracking what you eat is critical, because it is so easy to just grab something without thinking. If I don't portion out my meals and snacks, it's really easy to overdo it. I don't deny myself any specific food, but try and limit the salty snacks that I usually crave.
What’s your biggest obstacle, and how do you get over it? It’s fighting the small nagging aches and pains and getting motivated to run in the morning. I have my clothes and shoes beside my bed, so when I wake up, I automatically put them on. Once they’re on, I’m motivated to go out and run.
What advice would you give others? Start small, and keep the progressive increase in your distances small. I started by run/walking a mile. I use music to keep my pace steady. Now my daily minimum is 3 to 4 miles of running. Consistency is the secret to my success. 
Terry Henlin
Concierge
Blue Star Golf & Resort
In the spotlight: Shea Companies
Favorite fitness activity: 18 holes of golf. My husband and I play three times a week, and a boot camp once a week. You can also find us walking in our neighborhood and gardening in our beautiful yard! I also do a boxing class once a week.
What is the secret to your success? Having a partner you exercise with keeps you accountable! And it is more fun. I just turned the “BIG” 60 and I wanted a physical activity I could do with my husband into our 90s. And we will be celebrating our 40th anniversary this year. This keeps up our energy for our three grandchildren and other activities. When you slow down from raising kids and working full time it is a very important time to keep the body moving.
What is the biggest obstacle to moving more and how do you get over it? To start any exercise it is best to join an organized class that you pay a fee! It is fun to groan with many people and a dedicated partner who holds you accountable to work out with!
What is the most rewarding part of moving more? The health rewards are many! Lower blood pressure, sleeping and a fun activity to do with my husband.
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Download movecoach moves Shea app for iPhone or Android. Robin Baurer grapples daily with the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis: pain, imbalance, numbness, and trouble seeing. But she won’t let the disease stop her. She trained with runcoach and completed the 10-Mile Broad Street Run, and after revamping her diet, lost 85 pounds.
“Maintaining a focus on running has brought positive energy to my psychological, emotional, and physical well-being,” says Baurer, who also has Type 2 Diabetes. “I am determined, dedicated and disciplined to beat this mess of a disease.”
Robin Baurer
Major milestone: The 2017 Broad Street Run. I ran the entire race and I was not winded!
How did you get started? In the spring of 2015 my doctor broke the dreadful news that I was Type 2 diabetic and my [blood sugar] levels were horrendous. I took this awful news very seriously and evaluated my eating habits. I designed a nutrition plan and watched my weight decline. After about four weeks, my energy level increased and my MS symptoms lessened. I incorporated power walking and light jogging. By fall, my jogging became a run. The Broad Street Run seemed organized, safe, and challenging. The training was awesome! I felt prepared going to the starting line, and evidently I was. I am so PROUD to have participated and completed this incredible race! Next: I am participating in a duathlon in Bucks County.
How does running impact your MS? On a daily basis, I experience pain, numbness, imbalance and difficulties with my sight, and these are constant reminders that I have this dreadful disease. Maintaining a focus on running has brought positive energy to my psychological, emotional, and physical well-being . Now, my MS symptoms and flare-ups are less frequent. I have lost 85 pounds since May 2015 and feel amazing.
What motivates you to keep going? For many, many years I had difficulty walking so I feel blessed to be able to stand up everyday and teach as well as walk, jog, or run. I not only wanted to show myself but also show others who experience physical difficulties to "push" forward and give it your best.
Regardless of my speed or lack thereof, I am a winner every time I cross the finish line!
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