This fall, the married couple were able to collect the final ribbon to complete their collection representing completed marathons for Kelly and half-marathons for Shannah in all 50 states.
The couple met with Community Impact to discuss how they got started and what nonrunners can do to start their finisher ribbon collection. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: When and why did you start running?
K: I started running casually on my own in high school and college. I guess I felt good doing it. Eventually, a co-worker told me about Jeff Galloway's book on running, which explained the method of running with intervals. He said, "Anybody can do a marathon using this method—If I can do it, anybody can do it." He lent me the book, and I started training. Every single race I've ever done, I use interval running from Galloway's method.
S: I didn't start running until 2008. [Kelly] would run around a park that was around 3 1/2 miles, and I would walk. One day, a bobcat jumped in a tree near me ... so I was a little nervous and ran to catch up with Kelly. I made it about 20 feet, and I was out of breath. I can't run—what happens if I need to run away from something? I need to train. So I did a couch-to-5K program, which is where you run a little and walk a little.
Q: Why did you set a goal to run races in all 50 states? What did it feel like to reach this goal?
S: I’m the goal-oriented one.We like to travel and experience new things. I thought that would be a good goal. I knew that if we didn’t put a timeline on it, then we would fiddle around with it forever. So I said, I want us to be done by the time we turn 55 years old. I’m 53 this year and Kelly is 54, so we finished a year ahead of schedule.
K: I have not cried at the finish of a race for a very long time. I cried at the finish of this one. We were in Baltimore. I had been dealing with an issue with my leg that I was rehabbing and was struggling with, but I was running with a friend and he pushed me. We also had people there from our running group. There was a personal goal accomplishment and community aspect.
What advice do you give to people considering running a half- or full-marathon?
S: I listen to books. I can associate books with races I run. A lot of runners listen to books. Others listen to music if they time their music to their pace. I use a book to let myself mentally escape. I find it helpful not to get in my own headspace.
K: I tell people to become something. If you talk to me at any length of time, you’ll know I’m a runner. If you hate running, become a swimmer or a biker. When you become something—it becomes a habit. We tell people casually, "I only did 10 miles this weekend." They say, "Only?" You take for granted the benefits your body is getting. Your body is working more efficiently. Heart health becomes a byproduct.
Q: How can readers in Plano get involved in marathoning?
K: We are program directors of the Interval Run Club, home of Dallas Galloway training. Our hallmark is we don't leave anybody behind. We have different pace groups with leaders of each group. We make sure we all stay together.
S: We meet at Windhaven Meadows Park most Saturdays. This park is a hotbed for runners.
