Adventure-loving, New discovery seeking, Joyful spirited and Active in friendships, running and life!  These things all describe Anja Izban, NRC’s Runner of the Month.  

A quick “Hi. How are you?” from this tall, blond, always-smiling runner on NRC night will reveal that Anja is from Germany.  But, for those who haven’t had the chance to chat beyond the meet & greet, there is lots more to know about this amazing member of NRC!

It’s an early Sunday morning, just before 3:00AM in Nashville, TN.  Headlights file into a parking lot, proof that those who said they’d set their alarms were crazy enough to follow through.  Anja is among this wiley 3:1 running crew and from the long list of races she’s been talked into by this group, it’s clear she has become a Kool-Aid card carrying member.  

While COVID-19 travel restrictions may have cancelled their destination race, “Drei Länder Lauf” (3 Country Half – Switzerland, Germany, France), it would only alter the location of the starting line for these runners.  They would start their “Wish We Were In Switzerland Half” at 10:00AM Swiss time, instead crossing into two cities, before finishing their race over a chalk-colored finish line – together and smiling.  

Anja is from Oha, Germany, a tiny town close to Hamburg.  She had been beyond excited to return to Europe with her friends and share in this experience with them before the 2020 pandemic.  Luckily, the trip has been rescheduled for 2021 and she can’t wait!

Hearing Anja talk about her childhood in Germany is like a fairy tale.  The home she grew up in is steeped in generations of memories.  Her mom, grandma and great grandma all were born there and lived in the same house! Of course, as the family grew, upgrades were made, so each addition tells a story in and of itself.

She has fond memories of walking in the forest with her dog, bicycling to school, annual summer camping trips to their favorite campground, family reunions on the Baltic Sea, and the ever-so-slightly dangerous Fall Mushroom Picking town tradition.  As a young girl, she remembers going with her friends, buckets and baskets in hand, to pick mushrooms in the fields.  But, before they ate any, they had to go to the house of townswomen who were mushroom experts to be told which ones were poisonous and which were edible!

Following her interest in science and inspired by the quest for new discoveries, she finished school to be Research Assistant at the age of 19.  Anja has always loved to travel and the thought of making an international move sounded exciting to her, so she applied abroad for research opportunities in the U.S. and South Africa.  Ultimately, she chose the Texas coastline, taking a job in Galveston in 1984.

On the plane to America, Anja remembers making the decision that because her trip was only for a set time period, she would stay away from romantic relationships while she was there.  Of course, love had other plans.  

A month in to her American adventure, Anja met a handsome fellow named Mike who worked at the same lab.  Try as she might to stick with her plan, the chemistry between them was undeniable.  

Four years later, Anja and Mike were organizing a trip for his whole family to travel to Germany for their wedding!  They returned to Texas, until work drew them east to Cincinnati for a spell where their first son Alik was born, and then back to beaches of Galveston, where they had their youngest, Jordi.  

In 2007, Mike accepted a job in Nashville, TN, but with the boys still finishing the school year, Anja stayed in Texas while Mike did the house hunting.  As soon as Mike found the house he wanted (the one they still live in now in Nolensville), he took a million pictures for Anja to look through.  Never having set foot in the door, she agreed, and it has been a truly happy home for their family ever since.

Currently, Anja works at Meherry Medical College.  She loves that there are a lot of international workers and students there.  In addition to the work being rewarding, it is the mix of people that makes it really fun.  

Now grown, both their boys are in Jacksonville, FL and civilians working in the Navy as mechanical engineers. They support her love for running, and Jordi has even laced up for multiple Nolensville 5Ks and the Rollin Nolen with her!  

Then, there’s Bo and Moe.  Her Australian Shepard, Bo, who she rescued in September 2019, may be her best running buddy yet.  He LOVES going out for runs, but apparently hates her Friday night Zoom meetings (the dog bed fluff was everywhere!).  Her cat, Moe, is 14 years old and prefers aiding in run recovery at home.

Now, this may be controversial, but Anja claims that, technically, she started the original Nolensville Running Club!  In 2009, she began to organize regular runs with her Nolensville neighbor, Jennifer McVey.  As veritable President and VP, they took to the streets with their devotees (their dogs, Max and Beckley).  Unfortunately, Anja confesses she has no T-shirts to prove it.  LOL!!

Seriously, though, using only a Couch to 5K app and each others’ accountability, they proudly completed race after race, including the Moosic City 5K and the Zoo Run Run 5K.  Then, it dwindled.  Anja knew she needed others to keep her going. 

Then, she started seeing a group of people running down the streets near her home and found out about NRC.  Not sure she would know anyone, she just showed up one Wednesday night in December of 2015.  She was down to running only 1.5 miles, so the 4 miles was a challenge. Right away, she started running with the 3:1s.  It was meant to be.  

Encouraged by her new crew and not afraid to push her limits, the very next Saturday she joined them for 6 miles!  “I almost died,” laughs Anja.  “But, it helps to have friends out there with you!” 

She can’t count the miles she’s logged with friends, Rick and Melissa Sears, Vicky Travis, and Melanie Staudt.  She also has great memories running with Benlian Gao, whom she misses and hopes will come run with them again soon, and many others.

Since joining NRC, each year has brought a new milestone!  She ran her first 10 miler, the Rollin Nolen, in 2016.  Then, her first half in 2017 at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville, and then her first full in 2018 with Rick and Melissa again at the Rock ‘n’ Roll.  

“They kept adding on miles,” Anja jokes. “I just kind of slid into those distances, but alone I never would have done it.  Rick is the organizer and keeps us going.”  

One of her favorite all-time NRC events was the unofficial NRC Nolewood Marathon inspired by Yong Kim in 2017 that allowed runners to take the 26.2 and divide it up into 3 or more scenic (read: hilly) routes.  The 2 Ragnar Trails (ATL and Charlotte, SC) she’s done and the Carmel Half 2019 celebration with everyone, also land high on her list. 

What’s next?  Anja’s goal is simple.  She wants to stay at a level where she is able to complete the 13.1 distance.  “I’m glad I did the marathon. Well, (pause) I’m not sure,” she questions, then laughs, “Yes, I’m glad!”  

She knows she could run without the interval breaks, but she loves the 3:1 running philosophy.  This crew enjoys the journey!  A lot of their conversations end up with someone talking another one into a race, and then they all sign up!

A great example of this is the “Staycation Half” spurred by Melanie Staudt this past April for those who had signed up for races that were cancelled.  All it took was Melanie talking about it and saying, “It’s free”, and Anja jumped on the bandwagon!

Even more so now, with the unknowns of COVID-19, Anja is motivated to get out and run to keep her lungs healthy, her body moving and her mind calm.  “And, we can do it 6 feet apart,” smiles Anja.  “So, we’re lucky!”

So true, and we’re lucky to have Anja!  Herzliche Glückwünsche, Anja!  We are so blessed to have you in our NRC family!  

ROTM Speed Round – Anja Izban

Local spot you can’t wait to get back to:  Campo Azul

When I’m Not Running, I’m…:  Gardening, cooking, and making stained glass is something I will do again when I’m older.

First late night talk show guest:  Angela Merkel, German Chancellor, to ask her about being a scientist and growing up in East Germany

My hidden talents are:  I find pennies on every run, I can talk to dogs (read: scare off ferocious dogs on runs) and I used to play accordion.

Runs with the best views:  Downhill at Dawn was really pretty & running in the forests of Germany

Kyle Prince doesn’t just run trails; he’s forging them.  In the past 10 years since he started running for sport, he’s conquered a ton of terrain and continues to push himself to go faster and farther. 

His strong work ethic and powerhouse motivation have been a huge part of not only his own successes, but of many others’ in NRC.  And, his fun-loving attitude, well-timed wisdom and natural way of bringing people together have helped spearhead NRC epicness, both on and off the trail.

Kyle has been a runner his whole life in some form or another.  His need for speed early on landed him a broken ankle before he’d even turned a year old!  He played youth baseball, basketball, and soccer before shifting focus in HS and college to baseball, which although not known for distance sees some mad sprints between those bases. #faststeals.

He was technically born in Murray, KY, but Kyle’s a Henry County, Paris, TN guy through and through.  His family is a steady support system for running and life in general.  His dad walks a few miles each weekday morning.  His brother, who is in law enforcement, and sister-in-law, who is a PT, both recently entered into the running world with the completion of a half-marathon in December 2019, and his brother has registered for a 50k trail race (pass the Kool-Aid, please)!  Even his niece, who graduates in May and wields her talents in the arts, is a big supporter of her Uncle Kyle. 

At one point, Kyle’s journey took him out west, but he’s glad to be back. “Tennessee kind of has it all – the blues and country music, the rivers and mountains, town squares and sprawling downtowns.  I spent almost seven years in Arizona, so I feel like that has made me appreciate this state more.”

In March of 2015, Kyle moved to Nashville for an opportunity with his work at CoreCivic.  His current title is Education Services Manager, which is a lot like a public school assistant superintendent, and a role that is clearly much more than a job for him.  “In almost 15 years with the company, I have experienced so many things that keep me doing what I do,” he says.  “Teaching GED level classes, supervising education departments, and now helping build, design, and monitor educational programs in our facilities – I’ve been part of a countless number of offender’s lives in assisting them with achieving education goals prior to their release back into society.” 

He met his girlfriend, Allison, through work, but got to know her more through running, of course!  Knowing Kyle was a runner, she asked him for some advice while training for her first half, the 2017 Middle Half.  It must have been good advice! ☺ Together ever since, they enjoy sporting events, concerts, traveling and exploring new places. 

It was through work that he heard about NRC.  His co-worker NRCer Lisa Singer talked about the club often on their lunch breaks.  Kyle had gotten into running about five years before moving back to TN after placing in his age group in a neighborhood 5K.  That race led to other races including his first half marathon at the Rock’n’Roll in Phoenix 2012, so he decided to give NRC a try.  Aside from the classic ‘Hi, I’m Scott Alexander’ Handshake, early stand out moments include his first Saturday AM run from Mama’s Java and his first Oak Barrel experience. 

Saying he’s upped his running game is a huge understatement!  Since joining NRC, Kyle completed his first marathon at the 2017 St. Jude Marathon (Memphis).  In 2018, he ran the Stump Jump 50K and will never forget the Mullens Cove aid station crew where he saw first-hand, “NRC travels like an SEC school to an away football game!”  Then in 2019, he took on the YAMACRAW 20K, The Georgia Jewel 35 miler, and his favorite race so far, his first Flying Monkey.

To survive running hours on trails you need people keeping you on track, mentally and physically.  You’ve heard of The Illuminati, Skull And Bones, and perhaps even, The Pentaverate… but have you heard of NRC’s unintentionally, somewhat secret, trail-blazing society – DES?  It spawned from the grueling 2018 Stump Jump training cycle.  And, word is, that Kyle’s endless optimism and energy was a catalyst for what morphed this training group into a fearless band of runners striving to go beyond their limits with the battle cry… Do Epic Sh#t! 

Kyle credits his motivation to DES all the way!  “That group of people has become some of my closest friends, possibly ever,” says Kyle.  “FAM, Teague, Roadie, AK47, and Mud Queen are always up for miles and chatter.  Those 5 people along with other members of DES have pushed me through, over, and around some big hurdles both personally and in my running life.”

His NRC DES crew throws the props right back at him. Blake Bivens says, “Having Kyle on the trail, makes the run. His positive and supportive mindset is what makes him a great friend and NRC DES BA.” Amy Klotz says, “Kyle trains hard and has improved so much with his running!  I think he’s got way more in him still too!” Michael Teague adds, “He’s an integral part of the epicness that is DES!”  Zack Klint says, “As my ‘safety runner’ at Lookout Mtn. 50, he tended to me more than a grown man should ever have to tend to another grown man ☺, picked me up figuratively and literally, and kept me focused. I felt like the best racing I’ve ever done came after mile 40, and Kyle was a huge part of that!” And “Fast Andy” Michael knows Kyle will drop everything to help a friend. 

After a crazy hot run at Percy, Andy’s legs started cramping hard at the Sudden Service station across from Lenox Village.  It was so bad, he couldn’t even walk back to his car!  In a panic, he called Kyle. He was there in minutes.  Without a thought about what others would think, Kyle tried to work out the cramps in Andy’s legs – yes, in the middle of the convenience store – but it wasn’t working, so Kyle pulled him up, carried him to the car, and made sure he got home okay.  Now, that’s Sudden Service, DES style.

Kyle’s nickname among the DES crew is Birdman.  Some say it’s due to his super-animated way of speaking with his hands and arms, almost like they’re flapping.  Some say it’s the way he works his cross-training yoga poses.  Some say he nailed a bird driving to a run.  Whatever it is, it stuck.

Due to cancellations of big races due to COVID-19, Kyle’s current goal is just to maintain a really good base.  He was set to crew/pace Fast Andy at his first Georgia Death Race (read: jump in at mile 43 and pace Andy to the finish, mostly in the dark, for nearly 30 north Georgia trail miles), plus run the OKC Memorial Half in April and the Night Stalker 50K in May.  He plans to be flexible and prepared until then.

As far as destination races, all Kyle cares about is a race that takes him to a new place, so he can experience new things, and enjoy the opportunity.  “I do require it to be in the woods though,” he adds.  “I need dirt, views, and trees!” 

And, NRC needs us some Birdman!  Cheers to you, Kyle, for all you’ve accomplished and the epicness to come!

SPEED ROUND – Kyle Prince

Go to Mid-run/Post-run fuel:  Mid – Spring Energy gels and RX or Justin’s nut butter; Post – ginger ale and Holler and Dash (R.I.P.)

Best thing about Spring is…  Baseball and green grass

No one would guess…  I attended Jim Evans Professional Umpiring Academy in January 2008.

Ice Bath:  I only like to drink cold water, so I’ll probably pass on the ice bath idea!

For fun, that’s not a run:  Baseball, whether playing, watching, coaching, umpiring, etc. I also enjoy trying new (to me) restaurants, whiskey, and craft beer.   

NRCers Laurie and Jason Bostelman got stories by the mile!  If only I could include all the awe-inspiring, hysterical, uncanny, enlightening and heart-warming tales they shared with me over chicken tenders and mini ice cream cones at Outlanders (hey, we’d just ran 4 miles!), but you can’t contain that much awesomeness in one article.  Keep reading and you’ll see what I mean.

For those who know Laurie, it won’t be hard to believe that from the beginning, her story involves making the impossible, possible.  A surprise to her parents, she was their miracle baby, and so it makes sense that her mother insisted on having her delivered at the best hospital in NYC.  

Fun Fact: Chatting one day on an unplanned run with NRCer Gina (Hamrang) Loyd about having both lived in several of the same places, Laurie had a shocking realization – she was delivered by Gina’s father!  He had been a doctor at Northshore Long Island Hospital at the time she was born, but could it be true?  She checked her baby book and sure enough, his name was on the certifcate, Dr. Hamrang!! What are the odds?!

Laurie lived in Queens, NY and California before moving to Donelson, TN in 1986 to be close her Mom’s job at American Airlines.  It was a bit of a culture shock landing in Music City USA with its over-the-top Southern vibe (ask her about the BNA airport welcome), but she quickly found her groove, taking part in soccer and tennis, as well as her loves – drama and dance. Her New Yorker sense of humor was not lost on her classmates.  In fact, it earned her the Wittiest superlative her 8^thgrade and senior year!  (And, she has the goofy yearbook pics to prove it.)  

Jason is one of those rare TN unicorns – a Hendersonvillian, born and raised!  He’s the youngest (please don’t call him “the baby”) of a close-knit family that has all stayed in middle TN, so he and his parents, brothers and sister get-together often.  Growing up in Sumner County, wrestling was his sport, but he wasn’t all brawn and no brains. Oh no, Jason was a mathlete anda Science Olympiad!  

He got really into road and mountain biking, which took him on LOTS of adventures into adulthood.  When he got fed up just one year into the corporate rat race, his bike was among the few material possessions Jason didn’t get rid of before he headed out to live in the mountains of Ashville, NC.  (You need to run with Jason and you NEED to ask him to tell you this story!  I’ll just say tent living and communal bathing are just two golden nuggets of this one.)

Both Jason and Laurie both started college at the University of Tennessee and finished at Middle TN State University, but somehow neither of those places are where their love match was made.

As luck would have it, they were in their late-twenties before fate would bring them face-to-face.  Laurie was working as a leasing agent (maybe not the best job for a tenderheart) at Brentwood Downs near Nippers Corner.  Jason just happened to be living there, with some of his more, shall we say, rowdy friends.  Laurie remembers writing him a warning letter about empty beer bottles strewn near his apartment (the verdict is still out on that one).  However, it was Jason’s trip to the office to request a lease discount extension that spurred the sparks.  Laurie remembers:  

“He came in with these big brown eyes, wearing athletic shorts, Umbros or whatever, and asking if he could have a 3 month extension on his lease.  So, I said, ‘I’ll have to have you talk to Nina, my manager.’  And then I was like, ‘I play adult league soccer.’”

This spontaneous remark was the beginning of many more conversations, which ended up with them dating a few years later and ultimately, getting married in 2006.  

This couple works as hard as they train. Jason is on call maintaining the IT for a company that provides screening for colon cancer.  Although challenging at times, he enjoys his work and supporting the fight against this deadly disease.  One of the things Laurie loves about her job in Learning Development with a major insurance company is the ability to help people.  Between sharing her knowledge and talents, and utilizing new tech, she gets to create and implement the programs that are helping her team members enable patients to get the care they truly need.

Both Jason and Laurie got involved with NRC through the Couch to 5K – Laurie as volunteer and Jason as a participant. Laurie has great memories of her years mentoring, hanging with her 2:1 interval crew (a.k.a. Two Legit 2 Quit) and playing good cop to JoAnne King’s bad cop as a mentor for the walkers.  The accountability and friendships made the challenges worth it, and they both can’t say enough good things about Wendy Mucci and Kathy Sorenson for all they do to make C25K such a great training experience.  

Inspired by Laurie and several friends from church who ran, Jason signed up for the NRC Couch to 5K in 2017 and was assigned to the 5:1 interval group.  Since then he has stayed focused and crushed some serious goals, gaining speed and skipping right over the marathon distance to bust out a fat a** 50K organized by his friend, Ray Sadler and others.  Well, he did stop and take a picture of his watch at 26.2, before moving on. But, I mean, who needs a tech shirt, when you can get a one-of-a-kind bottle cap medal from NRCer Terrie Peterson and an awesome 31 mile journey with friends!

Jason is also proud of his half marathon PR at Rocket City 2019, taking 9 minutes off his previous best time.  He must have an affinity for hellacious hills because he will be returning to the Music City Trail Ultra for the 25K this March, is running the infamous Oak Barrell Half in April and the NightStalkers Ultra 50K in May!

You can usually find Jason out running the Nolensville roads with NRCers such as Ray Sadler, JoAnne King, Jenny Phillips, Melissa Riggs, myself and Craig Taylor.  He’s also a regular at The Town Barre’s new NRC Strength and Stretch sessions on Sunday afternoons.  

Laurie likes to try new races and will tell you, you don’t have to go far to see a part of Nashville you’ve never seen before.  Occasionally, she’ll do a repeat – like the Hot Chocolate 15K which she PRd with her friend and NRCer Liza Vaughn. She hits the trails in March for the Baby Bell Ringer and will take on the crowds to run the 2020 Nashville Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in April. 

It’s crazy to think that Laurie’s running story was almost not to be.  While training for the Middle Half in 2013, Laurie suffered a setback requiring hip surgery.  It was a tough recovery and she thought she’d never get back to being able to run a half marathon.  

Still it wasn’t all bad.  In downshifting gears, she found friendships with the amazing walkers of NRC!  Having run with NRC in its early years (think way back to meeting at Martin’s BBQ), Laurie loves how NRC has grown to include walkers and interval runners, along with our fasties. 

She worked hard to safely return to running and set a goal to do the 2017 Rollin Nolen 10 miler.  The adrenaline from that accomplishment spurred her to go for the half marathon distance, and she signed up for the 2018 Oak Barrell.  It would be tough, but she was bound and determined to make the time requirement and didn’t let herself look back during the race. After cresting Whiskey Hill, she knew she could make it in time.  She’ll never forget rounding the bend, and seeing the finish line with the NRC crowd still there after 3 hrs 40 min to cheer her in.  It meant so much to her!  

Since then, she’s done 3 half marathons, and in just under 18 months she’s snagged an over 40 minute PR!  Laurie credits a lot of her success to Jason for holding her accountable and encouraging her to stick with her weekday runs no matter what.  

Another motivator for them to get outside and move is their lovable chocolate labrador mix, Bridget!  They got her the same day as Jason’s first ever 5K – the 2017 Nolensville 5K – and they didn’t even shower before going to pick her up to make sure they got to the shelter as soon as possible!  (They’d missed out on 2 dogs not long before – Ask them about how they found out that it was two NRCers that had scooped them up!) 

When they arrived at Nashville Humane, all the other dogs were yapping away and Bridget was sitting pretty, not making a peep, just waiting for her Mom and Dad!  Bridget loves walks, is a budding social media influencer, and is all about accessorizing!

When they’re not running, Jason and Laurie travel like a boss.  Together, they have taken trips to Quebec, Montreal, Seattle, Portland, Charleston, Savannah, Paris, London, Italy, Japan, and Scotland, you know, just to name a few!!  This year, they’ll be joining other adventurous NRCers heading abroad to run the 3 Country Half which will take them through Germany, Switzerland and Austria.  This once in a lifetime trip is being spearheaded by some of our newest european “NRC ambassadors”, Christian and Christina Mathesius-Pfreundschuh.  

What’s next?  Jason would like to run some National Park trail races, and has flagged Montana for the first destination.  NRC destination race 2021, anyone? 

The Bostelmans are also active members of Nolensville First United Methodist Church, volunteering for everything from the children’s ministry and VBS to helping their Sunday school class organize ‘Room in the Inn’ winter stays for the homeless.  Jason thinks of the guys in his UMC Men’s group like brothers, and their church friends are like an extended family – a lot like NRC.

Laurie and Jason are not only transforming themselves, but they are a force for positive change in the lives of all those they meet.  There is so much more I could share… Jason’s beard phase, Laurie’s dance instructor days, Jason’s ‘rivalry’ with nemesis NRCer Kathy Sorenson and Laurie’s journey to lifetime member status with Weight Watchers… but, that’s all the more reason to catch them on a run and get the rest of the story!

SPEED ROUND – Laurie Bostelman

Song that psychs me up:  “Defying Gravity” – Wicked the Musical

What I wish had never been invented: A/C – people don’t congregate as a community as much, even though I keep my house at museum level!

My hidden talent: I know every piece of pop culture trivia, especially 70’s, 80’s & 90’s.

Hobbies: Reading and book club; I once had a C.S. Lewis book club.

Favorite 80’s movie:  The Lost Boys!!!

SPEED ROUND – Jason Bostelman

Song that psychs me up:  “Paul Revere” – Beastie Boys

What I wish had never been invented:  TV.

My hidden talent: I can do the splits and I won a dance contest.

Hobbies: RC flyers, drones, anything with a remote control, and making my own obstacle courses.

Favorite 80’s Movie:  Yep, The Lost Boys!!!

Happiness is… a long walk with good friends.  For NRCer Marion Mitchell, this saying couldn’t be truer (and if the walk’s through Disney or a vineyard – even better!)  

She took a running leap to train with NRC’s Couch to 5K Program in 2016, and landed smack dab in an amazing circle of walking friends!  Now, she enjoys a little “happiness” with each weekly journey around Nolensville or wherever the path may lead. 

From New York to Nolensville

Marion was born in Knoxboro, New York, far from the hills of Tennessee.  There, in that tiny, scenic town in central upstate NY, her childhood was mostly spent outdoors, and on a sled or a snowmobile during the super snowy winters that stayed from October to March.  Kind of funny, because now she hates the cold!!

Today, her three energetic kids and their families make sure there is plenty of adventure in her life. Two of them live in Nolensville with her eight precious grandkids, and another son and daughter-in-law live in northern Virginia, which was home to Marion for 35 years.  Fun fact: One of her granddaughter’s actually completed the C25K program this past spring!

Marion started running when her kids were little as a way to unwind.  (Move over Calgon.  Running shoes take me away!)  She admits, “I’m not gonna lie. At times, I ran just to escape for awhile, for the peace and quiet, and to be by myself!”

Her first and only race experience before NRC was at Disney World in 2013. One of her sons, her daughter-in-law and her daughter signed up for the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon and asked her to join in the “fun”. 

“I loved the idea of the wine and dine part of the deal,” Marion laughed.  

They set her up with a training program, which she followed pretty faithfully, considering. Race day in the magical kingdom came, and Marion crossed her finish line! 

“The half marathon was one of the hardest things I have ever done physically in my life,” said Marion.  “It was a fun experience and besides being very stiff and sore after, I felt so awesome for actually having completed it!”

Join a Running What?!

There’s no way Marion would have dreamed 10 years ago that she’d be a member of a running club.  Back then classes at the gym and working out with her personal trainer kept her fit. Running and walking wasn’t high on the list of fun things to do!

That all changed five years ago after she moved to Nolensville, Tennessee to be nearer to her kids and grandkids.  Looking for something to do and a way to meet people, she heard about the Couch to 5K program on Facebook.  It brought back memories of her running experience at Disney, and she thought it’d be fun to give it a try.

She didn’t know anyone when she went the first time.  Marion was assigned to the 4:1 intervals group, but hurt her knee.  She decided to join the walking group while it healed, and never looked back. 

“Mary Beth Moore and Joe Singer were both mentors, super supportive and friendly,” Marion smiles.  “Joe’s mantra was ‘walk with a purpose’ which I found myself using in 2019, when I got to be a mentor for the walkers.”

Surrounded by Friendship

Marion can’t say enough about the support of this awesome group! There’s Mary Beth who keeps them on track!  She always welcomes newcomers, somehow knows the exact miles of each route and makes sure the next walk is scheduled.  Suzanne Wolff and Nancy Foust can be counted on for some good humor; and if Suzanne gets in the lead, know you’re gonna move, and probably do hills. Plus, there’s Deborah, Don, Amanda, Ann and Derek who usually join in for the Saturday walk, which they top off with breakfast and laughs at Mama Java’s. 

Likewise, her friends can’t say enough about Marion.  Mary Beth Moore notes, “Marion and I have walked many miles together over the past several years. She is always willing to go the extra mile, literally.  One race I remember in particular was the Murfreesboro Middle Half a few years ago. By mile 11, it was getting hot. I was not feeling well and didn’t think I could finish. Marion was beside me the rest of the way telling me that we could do it. We could finish!  We finished together, but I did not know until after the race that she didn’t feel well either. She never mentioned it. She just kept encouraging me! NRC is the perfect example of friendships being brought together.”

Marion is no slacker!  Motivation for her is keeping a race on the schedule every couple of months.  Then there’s the peer pressure; like how after every race it seems one of her crew says they’re not signing up for any more races for a while – and then they all do!!

Disney, Beaches & Wineries – Oh My!

Outside of walking, Marion loves to hang out with her grandkids, do projects around her house and backyard, and travel.  A favorite destination is to Virginia to see her son and old friends, and she loves Disney, beach vacations and wineries!  Arrington Vineyard is her local fave, but she says a must-see is the picture perfect St. Francis winery in California!

From high five lines to gifts for Christmas angels, Marion is proud to be part of NRC.  

“I would definitely encourage anyone to join NRC who has an interest in being fit and having fun in the process,” said Marion.  “I am proof that you do not need to be a runner to belong. There is definitely a group for everybody!”

NRC Speed Round – Marion Mitchell

Salty or Sweet: Definitely sweet! Specifically, Chips Ahoy cookies with a Diet Coke!

Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy; been watching it for years, still love it!

Go to phrase: “Holy moly”– said when struggling on a walk, usually in conjunction with walking up a hill. I always like to do hills as fast as I can, so I can linger at the top waiting for everyone else!

My Disney Princess Inspiration: Cinderella — “Run like it’s midnight!” She faces life with a cheerful attitude regardless of her circumstances, is kind to everyone, and still comes out the winner. Kindness does count!  Being the winner is kind of cool, too!

Jeff Grimsley is a hill-eating, quip-slinging, mile-crushing runner who has cemented his place in NRC as a running mentor with motivation to spare!  While he’s had his share of sidelining injuries to overcome, his special blend of humor, healthy attitude and good ol’ fashioned grit have always gotten him back to the sport he loves.

While Jeff’s subtle Tennessee twang may not give it away, he was born in Quonset Point, Rhode Island.  Yep, Rhode Island.  (That has to be an NRC first!)  His father was in the Navy and stationed at the Quonset Point Naval Station when Jeff made his entrance into the world.  Not long after, his father left the service and moved the family to Smyrna, TN to pursue a career as a mechanic.  So, Jeff has lived in Smyrna, TN since he was a small child.  

When Jeff isn’t running at o’ dark thirty, he’s getting up before the sun to get to work!  Dedicated to his work and clients, Jeff gets more done as a representative for Metro Roofing & Metal Supply Co. by lunch time, than most people get done all day!  He enjoys working with people and loves solving building solutions.  He’s not above using his building supply experience to help his running club, either.  Case in point, when 100-degree heat hit on a Wednesday night run, his resourcefulness turned a professional paint sprayer into a cool post-running mister

Often seen trekking around Nolensville surrounded by a pack of tried and true friends, Jeff wasn’t always a runner.  It was a major life change that motivated him to take up the sport as a way to re-center his mind, body and soul.  Then, his good friend Craig Roberts told him about NRC as a good way to meet other runners with his same goals.

Since joining, Jeff has run everything from 5ks to marathons and Ragnars.  One of his favorite memories was the Carmel Marathon in 2014. He will never forget how that year he and his friends were running along and then it started pouring down rain! Jeff recalls, “Instead of seeing it as a negative, we all began laughing and enjoyed the moment.”

In addition to the 2014 Carmel Marathon, there are a few other races that stand out to Jeff as favorites.  His first half was the Music City, which he admits he was just proud to finish. Then, his first full was Rocket City and he was just as excited when he crossed over that finish line!  His best PR was during the Four Bridges Half Marathon where he snagged a 1:41 finishing time.  “Now, I look forward to running each afternoon with fellow runners,” Jeff says.

This summer, Jeff had begun training for a full marathon when he had a set back with his foot. Being smart, he took the time off to recoup and heal.  It was hard not being able to run with his crew, but he knew how important it was not to rush it from his experience in 2015.  That was the year he tore his Achilles!  (Ouuuuuch!)  It was a major setback for Jeff, and it has taken a long time for him to get back to the pace before his injuries.  His determination is a big part of how he’s worked through those challenges, as well as the inspiration he gets from other NRCers including Wendy Mucci and Jason Loyd. He says, “Watching these two improve over time has been a big motivator.”

Now that Jeff’s off the injured reserve, he isn’t taking the easy road and matter of fact, chooses some of the hilliest routes in Nolensville to increase his strength and endurance. When asked what he would do if he had no limitations and could run any race, he answered that his big goal would be to stay healthy enough to break the 4-hour marathon.  

The other huge reason Jeff stays running strong is his tight crew of friends!  You can bet that when Jeff’s hitting the road, he is with his running buddies Greg Warren, Katherine Cain, Vicki Victory and Anthony Shelly. So many memories have been made with this group of awesome runners, and there are many more to come!

After finding a deal he couldn’t refuse, Jeff’s moving on up to the west side to a deluxe high-rise in the sky!  While he’s not just down the road from NRC anymore, he promises that he will keep coming out to runs!  (OK, Jeff. We’re holding you to it!)  So, next time you see Jeff, tell him congrats and be ready for a fun run (and some hills) if you decide to tag along!

ROTM Speed Round

Fave Mid-Run Fuel: Maurten Hydrogel Sports Fuel

Hobbies:  I love to play golf and am a huge football fan.

Recent Scenic Trip: Hiking the Grand Canyon

Favorite Halloween candy: Snickers, anytime, all the time.

Wife, mom, writer, seeker, volunteer, runner… all of these things describe our next amazing Runner of the Month!  A natural storyteller with a huge heart for helping others, Vicky Travis has been a part of NRC ever since completing the first NRC C25K program in 2013.  It was only then, at the age of 47 and after many unsuccessful gos, that she finally found what she needed to keep running – community.

Vicky was born in Columbus, OH, but before she was out of the crib, her family moved to a suburb of Detroit, MI called Royal Oak.  There, she grew up alongside her younger sister, and was not what you would call a daring athlete.  She tried ice skating, but her first attempt at a waltz jump, landed Vicky on her chin with 9 stitches!  It would be later in life, as her own children were graduating high school, before Vicky would take another leap to commit to a sport through NRC.

With athletics off the agenda, Vicky was free to do more of something she loved – writing.  Her confidence bloomed through the small, yet frequent encouragements of her 7^th grade English teacher, Mrs. Kober.  By the time she was in high school, Vicky had focused in on journalism as a career and followed her passion all the way to The Tennessean.

Not only a 25-year veteran of Nashville’s premiere daily newspaper, Vicky’s work has appeared in books, university publications,  magazines and online.  She has covered just about any subject you can imagine in her writing career, making each story grab you right from the beginning with her straight-forward, conversational way with words. 

You may have seen her recently released book, Nolensville (Images of America) written with Beth Lothers, in which they highlight the rich local history of the town and the families who built it.  It’s full of amazing stories!  If you’d like to buy your own copy, just ask Vicky at your next NRC run!

For 10 years, Vicky kept readers of the The Tennessean up to date on the growing town of Nolensville in her regular column.  One notable story in 2010 followed a fledgling running club who met at Martin’s BBQ and called themselves the “Hog Drivers”.  Vicky, who knew the head Hog Driver, Scott Alexander, from years of going to the same kids’ ball games, was excited to share the story on this fun and neighborly group with other Nolensvillians.  Still, it would be a while before she felt called to join.

While working at the Williamson A.M. in 2000, Vicky was coerced into signing up for their Franklin Classic 5K team.  With no training and long before she knew what an “interval” was, Vicky struggled, but powered through to the finish.  Five years later, the memory had faded enough for her to try again.  Spurred by a good cause, she completed her second 5K, but still wasn’t ready to commit to a running routine. 

Then, in 2007, she had been running for about a year, did a local 5K and ran the whole thing, finishing with a PR!  It might have been the game changer, but unfortunately, her progress was stopped in its tracks.  Vicky suffered 3 slipped discs (not running related) that weren’t just painful, but affected her gait so that she walked with an uneven step.

It took her 6 years to regain her confidence. Vicky began with a mailbox run.  Using mailboxes as her progress trackers, she increased her runs slowly and in 2013, she came out to run with NRC.  She remembers fellow NRCer Laurie Bostelman coining the term “wogging” to describe their unique method. 

Then, Vicky signed up for the first NRC C25K program and discovered the magic of interval running in the 4:1 group!  She met an amazing group of people, whom she still calls friends.  After the 5K, her crew decided to settle into 3:1s, so that’s where she has stayed and loves it! 

“It’s a happy middle,” smiles Vicky.  “We’re kind of the Welcome Committee for the C25Kers who come out to NRC on Wednesdays.  Plus, at that pace, we find lots of lucky pennies!”

Luck or not, Vicky has run consistently since 2013 and has completed six half marathons.  She felt her best after the 2015 Middle Half’s not-so-hilly course, but isn’t opposed to running hills which she proved in taking on the Nolington Marathon (NRC’s unofficial marathon challenge) this March (2019).  In fact, she loved the sights as they broke up the rollercoaster of a course into 3 runs that altogether had a total ascent of 1771 feet!

Vicky met the love of her life, Kent who is a graphic artist, while working at The Tennessean.  They tied the knot in 1992 and started looking for their first home.  Their realtor took them to Nolensville where they could build a brand new house and get more for their money. 

It’s hard to imagine, but Stonebrook was the only neighborhood at that time.  This is pre-Sonic, y’all!  They knew it was where they needed to be, so they bought the lot and built the home where they would raise their two children, Jacob (24) and Sophie (22). 

Vicky takes joy in the simple things.  She jokes that her and Kent have “date night” once a week at Kroger, and they are incredibly active with their church, Woodmont Hills Church of Christ, teaching Sunday School for 1^st and 2^nd graders. 

Volunteering is a passion for Vicky.  For example, she helps each year as a NRC C25K mentor and, through her church, she gives her time and talents helping refugee families in a nearby community.  Each month, her group responds to fulfill specific family needs, offer friendship and even help teach English, which has led to her to try learning Swahili.

Vicky is such an incredible representative of our club!  She admits she didn’t expect the social time to be so important, but the family-like community of NRC is what keeps her coming back.

“The inclusiveness is special,” Vicky says about NRC.  “I came for fitness, but it turned into so much more!”

So the next Saturday morning you walk into Mama’s Java and see half the restaurant in running clothes, drinking coffee and sharing laughs; pull up a chair and ask for Vicky.  You can bet she will be among them with a smile and a really great story!

SPEED ROUND – Vicky Travis

Most Scenic Run:  Beautiful country roads of the RC Cola-Moon Pie 10 miler in historic Bell Buckle, TN

Life List Race:  Seaside Half Marathon

Hidden Talent:  I’m the “finder” for our family!

1 Thing You Wish Was Never Invented:  Bubble Tea, I tried it once and that was enough for me.

Dream Splurge:  Hawaiian Vacation (no race running required)

Five years ago, Melissa Sears was a total newbie to running.  Known by friends for her dedication and positive attitude, Melissa wanted to get more active.  She had been researching running apps when she and her husband, Rick, decided to step up and commit to the NRC Couch to 5K Program. 

What she learned and the people she met through that program have spurred Melissa on to complete not only multiple 5Ks, but more half marathons than you can count on two hands and a marathon, to boot!  And while she would never brag on her incredible achievements herself, we have absolutely no problem doing it! 

A southern middle Tennessee native, Melissa hails from the charming city of Fayetteville.  Growing up, she was active in her church youth group.  She sang and played piano, both in services and on their annual summer trips out of state to sing and sight-see.  She also played softball, basketball and loved riding her horse, Babydoll.

In college, she met her soul mate and eventual running partner, Rick, at the KA house by Middle TN State University.  Funny story – Rick took Melissa to Zanies Comedy Club in Nashville for their first date.  They had seats right next to the stage, so of course they ended up being the center of a lot of the comedian’s act, whether they wanted to or not.  Their love for each other, however, turned out to be NO JOKE.  In fact, the happy couple will be celebrating 33 years of wedded bliss in June!

Melissa and Rick moved to Nolensville as newlyweds and knew NRC’s President Scott Alexander before there was an NRC!  They lived in an apartment in Franklin, TN for a year before finding a lot in the Stonebrook subdivision in 1987.  They built their first house and lived there for 18 years raising their family.  Fun Fact:  NRC runs by this house on Track & Back Wednesday nights (400 Ramblewood Lane)

Melissa and Rick’s son Drew, daughter-in-law Brittany and daughter Morgan didn’t know what to say at first about Mom and Dad running, but have turned into their biggest encouragers.  

“They were all shocked and surprised,” said Melissa.  “But, Drew and Morgan along with [our grandson] Sawyer were at mile 20 when we ran the Nashville Marathon!  That support meant so much, and they were also at the finish line when we crossed!”

It was 2014 when Melissa and Rick participated in the NRC C25K.  “We thought we would run a few 5Ks and maybe a few miles each week,” she recalls.  “We look back and laugh how one Saturday morning we met a group at MJ’s to run and they said they were running 5 miles.  We were like… 5 miles?! What?….. but, we tried and were surprised how much easier and fun it was when you had a group to run with.”

Through the NRC C25K experience, Melissa learned a lot about running, including the benefits of alternating running and walking, or doing intervals.  Now a firm believer in the interval (3 min. run/1 min. walk) method, she and Rick regularly post on the NRC Facebook page to help organize 3:1 runs!

Melissa has many favorite NRC memories, but one that stands out is her second half marathon in Carmel, Indiana.  “Crossing the finish line where NRC was lined up and the high-fives will always be remembered,” says Melissa.  “And, the great support and encouragement of everyone.”  

Her first and only full (so far), the Nashville Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, and the challenging Ragnar Trail Relay also hold fond memories.  “I can’t leave out the traning runs with Anja Izban and Rick.  Not to mention, Karen Miles and Dena Lloyd near the finish line cheering us on!  Oh, and the amazing Ragnar Trail runs.  Talk about doing something outside my comfort zone – running at night in the woods!”

Melissa’s running journey hasn’t been pain-free.  On the contrary, she had a lot of trouble at first with sore shins.  At one point, she was even told that, perhaps she shouldn’t run, but rather bike or swim.  

She took a 2-month break.  Then, she got back on the perverbial horse to train and run her first half marathon, 2015 Rock n’ Roll New Orleans.  Compression socks, stretching and a cream from “Real Time Pain Relief” made the difference and fortunately, she hasn’t had any more issues.

For someone who just started running 5 years ago, Melissa has compiled an impressive list of been there, done that!  Her favorite race is the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans.  She loves the music, and it doesn’t hurt that typically they cruise after this race.  Oh, and to prove that intervals do not equal slow, Melissa snagged a PR of 2:28 at the 2016 Murfreesboro Middle Half!

Melissa and Rick just ran the St. Jude Nashville Half for the fifth time, and will be taking on the Kentucky Ragnar and Downhill at Dawn in NC.  “My goal is to try and be more consistent with weekly running,” she says.  “It is very easy to let other things slip into this time.”

On top of time spent with family and running, Melissa is the office manager and a shareholder at Design and Engineering, Inc., an architectural, structural, civil engineering firm.  In her 26 years, she has supported projects in 48 states with major clients including Cracker Barrel and Buffalo Wild Wings.  Hearing her talk, it’s easy to see why she loves her job. 

“[We] work hard and play hard,” she explains.  “We have a great culture… with emphasis on supporting our employees – whether it is a lunch out, employee’s birthday, marriage or new baby celebration, chili cookoff, halloween costume competitions, tailgate parties or rafting trips.”   

That sounds a lot like NRC!  

Now in it’s 7^th year, the NRC C25K is underway, and this time Melissa and Rick are back as volunteers, supporting this year’s participants.  This is just one of the many ways that Melissa and Rick help make NRC the most supportive and welcoming running clubs in Tennessee.  

So, if you see someone out on Nolensville Road in a pair of hot pink compression socks, it might just be Melissa out for a run!  So, be sure to say congrats and let her know we’re grateful she’s a part of NRC!

SPEED ROUND – MELISSA SEARS:

Mid-race fuel must-have:  Sports beans or honey stingers

Life List Destination Race:   Running a Half in another country

Hobbies: Reading, when I have those few free moments

Dream car: Years ago I recall thinking the Aston Martin was a pretty cool car; but not very practical financially or for someone who needs car seats! LOL

Favorite thing about summer: Really enjoy and look forward to boating

For our next Runners of the Month, we have the privilege of featuring yet another amazing NRC couple – Matt and Ruth Wilkins!   If you know them, you can already see their permanently smiling faces in your mind.  Just as they are the perfect complement to each other, they bring a great mix of experience, fun, and good-spirited competiveness to NRC. 

Ruth was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. Matt also lived in Atlanta, but got there by way of Texas and Alabama.  Growing up, Ruth got tons of miles in playing travel soccer and tennis.  In the off season, she ran cross country and after a couple of tough soccer injuries, she decided to make running her sport.  Matt got his kicks in underwater on swim teams and was even Captain of his high school team.  Back then he dreaded running, but it seems he just needed the right motivation – Ruth.

If Hollywood made a romantic comedy about them, it could be called, “The 3 Day Rule.”  It was November 2012.  Jacksonville, FL.  Matt and Ruth had each moved there for work.  It was instant chemistry when their matchmaker friend introduced them at a party. They talked for hours and really hit it off. The party ended and Matt said he’d call.  

Now, listen up single guys!  You know the 3 day rule?  When a guy plays it cool and waits 3 days before calling a girl after a date?  Matt, believing it was “a thing,” decided to give it a try, but it was almost a deal breaker.

One day went by.  Then another.  Ruth was about to give up on him when she finally got Matt’s call asking if she wanted to go out again.  Unsure and a little irked, she reluctantly took him up on his invite.

She quickly saw that Matt was no “player”. They ended up talking until 2am! There was a party going on around them, but they didn’t notice.  They were in their own little bubble.  Matt found out later that Ruth got up the next day at 5:30am and ran a 20-miler!  In all their talking, she didn’t even mention it! 

Once he knew Ruth ran, Matt’s aversion magically faded and he started running to hang out with her more.  Ruth kept telling him he should join this great running club.  The group, known as PRS, actually reminds them a lot of NRC!  With about 300 runners, they represent just about every pace and level, and offer scheduled runs for people to meet and train.  

After joining PRS, Matt went from not running at all to completing his first full marathon, The Flying Pig (Cincinnati), in 18 months.  Determined to see it through, even with an injured knee, he hobbled across the finish line.  He says that memory has never gone away.  For a long time, he was intimidated by the marathon distance.  But, he plans to create a new, epic memory to put in its place at the Carmel Marathon this spring.

Ruth loves running and has done a lot of different races over the years, from road to trail and 5K to ultra.  Just a few weeks after they started dating, Ruth completed her first 50K comprised of five 10K loops.  Matt went along to support and laughs that he was winded just keeping up with her for the 100ft it took to hand her water or fuel!  She crushed that race taking 1^st place female by 35 minutes!  She since has completed another.

Ruth may be fast, but she loves the whole chill, ultra racer mentality.  She jokes about how at 5Ks people do sprint warm ups, butt kicks and rush around, but that at ultras it’s the total opposite.  Runners just stroll up with a cup of coffee, hang out, talk, and then look at each other and say, “Alright, you want to start this thing?” 

Chill is also a word that describes Matt, who flies single-engine planes for fun.  He currently works in avionics (electronic cockpit component sales and installation).  Friends, and Ruth, agree he is one of the most likeable, happy people on the planet! He’s always ready for an adventure, spontaneous (in a good way) and pretty much the life the party.

Ruth says she’s typically the “Mom” of the group socially.  She doesn’t mind.  She finds it natural to clean up, organize and plan things.  She’s also a happy and willing designated driver.  She uses her math degree doing highly-detailed work for Hershey, and has already put in a good word to get a trail runner campaign going for their peanutty, PayDay bars!  She loves her job which allows her to work from home and catch lunchtime runs with fellow NRCer Eric Waterman.

Before they moved to Nolensville in 2016, Ruth had already found NRC on facebook.  It was right after the NRC Holiday Party and the photos on the Facebook page looked like a fun crew!  So, one cold, nasty Wednesday in January 2017 they left their unpacked boxes and headed to NRC.  Scott came up and introduced himself, and it was sealed!  They’ve been regulars ever since.

Matt enjoys any race where he gets to see Ruth run and hear people’s reactions to her accomplishments.  He jokes that, “she glistens, she doesn’t sweat.” For Matt, on the other hand, it is pretty obvious when he has been working out (i.e. his dying goat stride to the finish of the Nolensville 5K which Ruth helped him PR).

Matt, who was originally a 10 min/mile or more pace, was encouraged by NRCers Amy Klotz, Michael Teague, Fast Andy, Kyle Prince and Preston Johnson to pick it up.  Now, he keeps up easily with some runs in the 8:30s.  

Many of Ruth’s favorite NRC memories center around her Boston qualifying journey.  From training with NRC, which she says gave her the push to BQ, to traveling with the crew to Boston in 2018 and running the race, and even touring the Harpoon Brewery after and everything in between, she says it all was an incredible experience.  “You might not realize, but there is a lot of gear dropped on the road at Boston.  It’s everywhere and so it’s hard to look up, but it has the best spectators,” says Ruth,  “The whole time you’re there the city celebrates you!”

Matt has great memories of living in a van for 24+ hours running the 2017 TN Ragnar with the NRC Sole Crushers!  He made some great friendships that weekend with teammates, Joe Relyea, Jay Adamson, Katherine Cain, and others.  Oh and he definitely recommends doing the race with Ragnar Ambassadors, Stephanie Spann and Terrie Peterson, who are AWESOME at showing first-timers the ropes of this non-stop rollercoaster of a race!

Of course, all the planning in the world can’t help you if you register for the wrong race!  After hearing everyone talk about Downhill at Dawn, Ruth Googled races in June near Asheville.  She didn’t expect there could be two races on exactly the same day.  Turns out, there was and the other one was not “downhill”!  Of course, their friends still joke about it and if Ruth mentions any race they have to ask – “the real one?!”

That’s the thing about NRC!  Like a family, we may raz you when the opportunity presents itself, but we also raise you up for your achievements – big and small – along the way!  For all the good things they bring to NRC, we are so excited to celebrate Ruth and Matt Wilkins and look for lots more good things to come!    

ROTM Speed Round – Ruth Wilkins

I run, therefore I: eat and drink, what I want.

What is your favorite race fuel?  Stinger waffles (gluten free)

Top Must-Run Race?  New York Marathon (my birthday weekend)

Most scenic run?  Salt Lake City – Revel Big Cottonwood (BQ)

If I didn’t run, I would: still workout and be active

ROTM Speed Round – Matt Wilkins

I run, therefore I: hang out with my wife.

Favorite race fuel:  Sport beans

Top Must-Run Race:  Any race I can travel and see the sights

Most scenic run: Rome running tour – no tourist traps! Cool way to see a city.

If I didn’t run, I would: weigh 400 lbs