NRCers of the Month Pam and Craig Taylor live life to the beat of their own drum, literally and figuratively. You may not know that they both play the drums, but they have also taken cues from the rhythms they’ve created in how they tackle life’s ups and downs – at times focused and driving, others slow and steady, and every once and while even getting a little funky!
Since joining NRC, they’ve become invaluable to the club in more ways than one and we’re excited to share their stories with you!
Pam was born in the Quad Cities area of Illinois, Geneseo to be exact. Growing up on the family farm, she discovered her knack for drumming at the young age of 8. Her inspiration came from watching her Grandpa play and she never got any complaints about the noise from her mother. She was proud to have her daughter continuing the tradition.
Born in Joliet, IL, the city known for its Blues Brothers fame, Craig grew up the youngest of 5 boys. He learned early on that all he had to do was make a little noise if he wanted to be noticed. In fact, he was only in 3rd grade when he got his start on the drums just by happenstance. His older brother had to miss a drum lesson, so his Mom made him go instead!
Both self-proclaimed band geeks, they honed their skills playing countless high school ball games and competitions and kept playing in college, both landing on the drum line for the Marching Illini. Craig and Pam first met at a marching band rehearsal and the only thing louder than the drums was the beating of their hearts! They dated and drummed, getting to have lots of cool experiences with the band, including playing at the 1984 Rose Bowl and Disneyland.
Craig being a year older, graduated and joined the U.S. Army while Pam finished up her final semester. His drum skills earned him a place as an Army Bandsman. In Basic Training he was introduced to running for endurance. Afterward, he and his fellow bandsmen would run just enough to do the occasional 5k or 10k, which were always chosen based on the post-run beer selection, and the rare provision of a Clydesdale category for individuals weighing over 190 pounds for an opportunity to place.
The weekend Pam graduated college the two were engaged, and the wedding followed one year later. Craig jokes that he married Pam and then immediately whisked her away to live 100 miles from the nearest mall! It was Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri (also known as Fort Lost in the Woods) where they settled before moving to Maryland for 3 years, and then Chicago where they raised their family.
They have 3 children who, after having kept them moving at double time, have now grown and flown the “nest”. Kara, their oldest chases their first granddaughter and is expecting twins soon; their son, Alex, is working in North Carolina in the solar energy field; and, their youngest, Grace, is set to graduate soon with a chemical engineering degree from Purdue University.
One race Craig will never forget was the Chicago Marathon in 1997; before there was a lottery. He fell the very first mile in, kicking a curb and rolling his ankle. He kept going (lost a toenail), but finished the race just 4 minutes over his goal of 4 hours! That year, he had also competed in an Olympic Triathlon where he came in just over his goal of 3 hours to finish in 3:05. In spite of the close times, he says he learned a lot about what his body was capable of that year.
Later in life, his oldest daughter asked him to run a half marathon with her. How could he say no?! So, he laced up and they ran the Quad Cities Half. It was so much fun, they did another half 2 weeks later! It’s become a tradition for them and the past 8 years, they have run 3-4 half marathons together a year, with the Quad Cities being an annual favorite.
In 33 years of marriage, Pam tried three or four times to pick up running in order to spend more time with Craig and their daughter. She pushed herself to run without walking, thinking that was how it had to be. Then, her knees would be so achy the day after that she couldn’t get up the stairs without pain, and she would quit. It wasn’t until Craig started going to NRC, that she would give it one final try.
In 2017, Craig had an opportunity to find a job that would allow them to relocate. Looking south of Nashville, they found the house they wanted, but worried it wouldn’t last until they could close. Thankfully, it was meant to be! While at the closing at Bell & Alexander Title in Nolensville, the conversation turned to running and the attorney told Craig all about the NRC.
That was October, but Craig decided to wait until the snowiest, coldest day in February of 2018 to show up for a run. It was a Wednesday night, but due to the snow and ice, the group met at the high school parking lot. Craig remembers showing up first and Scott running up to greet him! Being from Chicago the cold didn’t faze him, but the warm welcome sure made an impression. He has run with the crew ever since making quick friends with running neighbors, Jason Bostelman, Jenny Phillips and Stephanie Oberheide and others.
Pam had started back on the treadmill, convinced that running outside would hurt her knees; but, when she heard the NRC Couch to 5K training program would allow her to ease into running, she signed up! Her first couple runs were hard and while running solo between clusters in her group, she was thinking, “I’m not coming back”. Then, Kelli Alexander ran back seeing she was struggling. “She didn’t say much,” said Pam. “Just ‘We’re going to get through this’, but it was just the motivation I needed.”
She trained, ran the Nolensville 5K race AND placed 2nd in her group! Since then, Pam has become a loyal NRC 3:1 runner, often leading the pack with other NRCers Jay Adamson, Karen Miles, Lisa Reasonover, Darcie Tidwell and friends.
With Pam back on the road, in 2019 the Taylors earned their NRC beer mug by finishing all 5 races in the Summer Grand Prix series. They had a half marathon schedule for every month in 2020, and got 2 months in before COVID-19 changed their plans.
Craig and Pam had planned to travel to Europe with the group of NRCers doing the 3 Country Half Marathon before COVID made them cancel. But in true Taylor fashion, they were among those who did a Nolensville version of the race starting at 3am to mirror the starting time in Germany. They loved the experience!
“Rick Sears had planned the route, and all but a short section on Mack Hatcher was lit up,” said Craig. “There were no cars, so at one point I just started running out in the street! There was no body out there and we didn’t see a police car until the sun was coming up.”
Craig also completed the Great Virtual Race Across TN in the hot and humid summer of 2020. Pam, who prefers cold weather running, is hoping for in-person races to begin again this fall.
When it comes to getting things done, Craig and Pam have a strong legacy of pitching in, be it for their kids, their schools, their church and most recently, their running club. The commitment instilled in Craig while serving in the Army has led him to answer his inner calling in many situations; stepping up to organize his church’s youth mission trip when the youth director role was vacant to volunteering as his kids’ elementary PTO President and raising funds to build a playground. From the same cloth, Pam served on and chaired their daughter’s High School dance team fundraiser, earning over $100,000 to go towards the team and other charities, among other community involvement.
So, it should come as no surprise that when COVID-19 threatened to cancel NRC, that the Taylors said, “NOT ON OUR WATCH!” The Monday that Scott posted NRC would not be able to meet on Wednesday due to safety concerns, Craig was running with Pam and the 3:1 crew.
“I remember running and saying that we are not going to end this streak,” said Craig. “I got home and messaged Scott that I’d set up a Webex for the club to meet virtually. Scott said, ‘I’m not sure what that is, but let me ask the board.’ This is before everyone was doing virtual meetings. The board approved and that’s how I became the NRC Webex guy.”
That Wednesday there were over 40 people on the NRC Webex meet-up. For 24 weeks, Craig not only sent out links to everyone, he facilitated and was present for every Wednesday night NRC virtual meet-up! Even when he had to travel to Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois he didn’t miss a Wednesday; sometimes having to drive his car to an area where he could get service for his internet hotspot! His good deed was highlighted by The Tennessean in an article all about how sports clubs were adapting to the safety concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic.
So, NRC owes its unbroken streak to the Taylors and their dedication to keeping our crew connected! Having only been a part of the NRC crew for a few years, they stepped out when we needed them most! Now that we’ll have the opportunity to see them in person at an upcoming run, be sure to say a quick thank you for all they do for NRC!
PAM – Speed Round:
When I’m Not Running I’m… on FaceTime calls with my granddaughter; plus I’m a realtor so I’m an HGTV nut!
Favorite ice cream flavor: Anything chocolate; it has to have chocolate or what’s the point?!
If I could splurge on a purchase, I’d buy: A trip – so we’re actually already splurging since we’re going to Cancun soon!
Must-have piece of gear: Honestly, the right shoes. It’s made all the difference.
CRAIG – Speed Round:
When I’m Not Running I’m… playing drums! Before we moved here, I played in the Chicago Bears drum line from 2005-2017 playing next to drummers of all ages and learned a lot. It keeps me young.
Favorite song to play drums on: That’s a hard one. I’ll say “Brick House” with my old drum line group.
If I could splurge on a purchase, I’d buy: A new bike, motorcycle, golf cart, or a Phat scooter.
Must-have piece of gear: I use a Garmin, FitBit and MapMyRun to check ½ mile paces.