NRC’s been the catalyst for some amazing stories over the years, but none more inspiring than our next Runner of the Month, Darcie Tidwell! Hailing from the sunshine state, she’s known to be spotted running, often pushing her double stroller, daily through the neighborhoods of Nolensville, if not twice daily! Her commitment and accountability to her training goals is bar none.
She laughingly admited she’s tends to be slightly over-layered for her early AM runs (by Tennessee standards at least), but she is no fair weather runner. Thunderstorms, snow and now the middle TN humidity may change her approach, but they haven’t stopped her from making her mileage goals. In fact, she beat the Buzzard by a month in last year’s Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee and so it’s no surprise that this year she’s joined an elite crew striving for 2021 miles in 365 days!
But what is so fascinating about Darcie is that she got her start with the NRC Couch to 5k Program! Both before and after the birth of her twins, she laced up and headed out with the NRC C25K 3:1s to help build her strength and stamina as a runner. Over time, she’s become a leader within this crew, often leading the pack and flashing her smile in the bottom left-hand corner of countless NRC Saturday AM group photos. We wanted to get the whole picture about Darcie’s running story, so we took a moment to ask her some questions about life, staying active and the friendships she’s made along the way.
NRC: Let’s start with an easy one. Where were you born and what was your favorite thing about where you grew up?
Darcie: I was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. I moved to East Tennessee in 2010 to go back to school for sign language interpreting, before moving to Nolensville. My favorite thing about FL was living in flip flops. You’ll probably still see me now in flip flops until there is snow on the ground!
NRC: Were you an athlete growing up, into the arts, academics, all of the above?
Darcie: Growing up I did all the sports. I started with gymnastics and then focused my time on softball. I did softball all the way from T-ball through high school. Along the way, I also played basketball from elementary age through middle school. I was a little too short and not fast enough, come high school.
NRC: When did you move to Nolensville and why?
Darcie: I moved to Nashville in 2012 when I finished school. My now husband, Joel, lived here and my job at the time as a manager at Target meant I could transfer just about anywhere. We moved to Nolensville when we got married in 2014, because he grew up here and we found a house we loved that we hoped our children would grow up in too.
NRC: It’s always great to see Joel when he’s able to come to eat after the Wednesday night runs! How did you and Joel meet?
Darcie: We actually met playing pool at a bar in Knoxville, when our friends were dating and my friend and I were visiting from Florida. But, we really got to know each other when my best friend and his friend got married, and we were both in the wedding. Fast forward to now, and Joel and I have been married for 7 years this May.
NRC: You are an amazing Mom, and I also saw you recently became a Zyia Activewear representative. Are there other work hats you wear?
Darcie: Mom, Zyia Activewear Rep and a full-time job in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy are all the hats I can handle. I recently became a Zyia rep because I thought since I was buying so much of the clothes already I might as well represent the company and share it with my friends. It’s much different than anything I’ve ever done for sure, but it’s already introduced me to so many new people I would have never gotten to know.
NRC: You’ve gained a strong reputation among NRCers for pushing your twins in a stroller during many of your runs and it’s easy to see how important family is to you. Aside from walks and runs, what are your favorite things to do as a family?
Darcie: Yes, we have twin girls Addison & Emerson that just turned 4 years old. We also have a grumpy cat Starburst that hides from the girls as much as possible! I love to take my girls to do things outside whether it’s the zoo, park or strawberry picking. Anything to get some fresh air and burn off their energy!
NRC: How has having the girls changed the way you set your goals, if at all?
Darcie: I’ve probably set more goals since having my girls actually. I did one half marathon in the fall after completing the C25K in 2016 right before getting pregnant with my girls. Only a few months into my pregnancy I had to slow down and stop running to keep them in as long as possible. Then I started back in 2018 with the C25K again after getting in a good routine having kids. I found myself getting up early to train for a race and run on Wednesday nights pushing my girls. Then when you find great group of friends like the 3:1s that talk about all sorts of races you want to join (even if it’s at 3a to match a race in Europe that was canceled due to the pandemic!)
NRC: When did running become a part of your life? Was there a specific motivation to start?
Darcie: I ran a little back in Florida. I ran a few 5ks with friends and I actually ran a few 15ks called the Gate River Run. It crosses over 4 different bridges. But I don’t remember really training properly for them. In 2016, though, I saw the C25K on the 411. I needed to get in shape and was hoping it would help with that. My true motivation was that we wanted to have kids and it wasn’t coming easily. Getting in shape with the NRC C25K was hopefully going to help.
NRC: What is one of your most memorable NRC moments?
Darcie: I have a few. My first was when I had my first C25K run on a Saturday. I was too nervous to meet the group and Karen Miles met me after her run at 9am. I learned fast why people don’t start running at 9am in pants!
My 2nd would be when I ran the Rock n Roll Half Marathon in 2019. I trained hard for that one and had a goal time in mind. I had amazing support from my 3:1 group during all that training and made my 2:30 goal time.
My most recent memorable moment was finishing my first marathon! Everyone was so encouraging leading up to the marathon! So many NRCers stayed around until the end even when they weren’t running it! Craig, Pam & Jenny moved along the route and gave Melissa and I much needed water and encouragement. It was amazing to see everyone at the finish line and celebrate with them.
NRC: Yes! All of NRC was sending out good vibes for your first marathon as you tackled the scenic hills of Bedford County, TN in the 2021 Strolling Jim Marathon. What will you always remember about that experience? And, have you signed up for your next race yet?
Darcie: I will always remember having friends along the race and at the finish line! I never expected to have people stick around for hours after finishing their own 10k and ½ marathon. I’ll also remember that it was 26.75 miles not 26.2 (thanks Laz!). Oh, and I just signed up for the St. Jude Rock n Role Marathon!
NRC: So, has anyone told you that you have arms like Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2? Seriously, girl, you’ve got some guns! 🙂 As far as cross-training, what are a few must-do’s for you in staying strong and conditioned?
Darcie: Haha! They’ve gotten super toned over the last year. Pushing the stroller with my girls definitely helps. But I also go to Burn Bootcamp usually M-F in the mornings. As much as I hate getting up before the sun, it gets my day going. I started in January of last year and it ended up being a wonderful consistency in my life when everything shut down. I was able to get my workout in via zoom and still has a sense of normalcy.
NRC: This year I heard you’re taking on, not only the GRVAT again, but also a goal of 2021 miles before December 31st. Is that right? If so, how are you knocking out these huge mileage commitments? What’s your strategy?
Darcie: Yes, I am. I usually get a 2-4 mile run or walk in after I get home from Burn and before I start work. I generally get another walk or 2 in during my lunch break and either a morning break or before I go and pick up my girls. Wednesday nights with NRC give me another 3-4 miles and pad my days I’m a little short. I also try to keep my Saturdays at least 8-10 miles to build in the cushion also. I need to have some rest so I try hard to not do any on Sundays or just go for a mile or 2 walk. I may start walking everywhere like last year – to MJs for coffee, to Itty Bitty donuts, to the park and Sonic with my girls, to the farmers market…
NRC: Do you have any other proud running accomplishments or favorite races?
Darcie: Other than my 1st marathon, recently I was very proud to finish the Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee last year. It went from May 1st-August 31st and was 623 miles. In the middle of July I noticed it was possible to finish in 3 months instead of 4 by pushing myself a little more. It felt great to finish on July 31st pushing my girls on the trails in Nolensville!
NRC: Are there any NRCers who have been particularly supportive over the years? How have they made a difference in your life?
Darcie: Dena Lloyd was an amazing friend to run my first half marathon with back in 2016. She stuck with me the whole way, even though I hadn’t trained properly and was very slow!
Karen Miles and I started running together with when I did the C25K in 2016. We have run many Saturday’s together along with numerous races together. She’s always super supportive and wants me to keep going and not slow down.
Of course our whole 3:1 group. It’s always a fun time when we get together to run!
I would not have signed up for the Strolling Jim Marathon if it wasn’t for Melissa Moreland! We definitely pushed each other and made those long runs as amusing as they could be. Even when I make her get up at 5am to get our run in. She even talked me into another full in the fall!
NRC: Looking back, you have accomplished so much since you first starting running consistently through the NRC Couch to 5k program. If you could go back in time and give a message to yourself, when you first started Couch to 5k, what would you say?
Darcie: In 2016, and then again in 2018 after having my girls, I’d say you’ll do things you never knew you could! Never in my wildest dreams would I think I could do numerous half marathons – and – do them regularly now, just to get extra miles in.
NRC: And we have no doubt that you will continue to crush goals and motivate the rest of us with each new accomplishment you undertake. It’s already shaping up to be a stellar year for you, so keep on pushing on!
SPEED ROUND: Darcie Tidwell
Go-to hype song? The “running radio” station on pandora
Hobbies? I don’t have much time these days for anything other than running and my girls but I do love photography. Probably why I have thousands of pictures of my girls!
Favorite summer treat? Chocolate milkshake
What is your hidden talent? I use to be fluent in sign language but I’m very rusty now.
I run because… I want to eat everything! Really though, it helps me relax most of the time.