Category: #IndyMini Ambassador Q&A

Name: Rickie Baullosa
City/Town: Whitestown, Indiana
First year of #IndyMini: 2017

 

Q: What is your favorite #IndyMini memory?

Running with new friends.

 

Q: Who or what motivates you the most during training?

Having an event to look forward to.

 

Q: What advice do you have for people considering running the #IndyMini for the first time?

Don’t overdress and enjoy the experience.

 

Q: What’s your favorite song to listen to when running?

Anything pop.

 

Q: If you were stranded on an island (and had everything necessary to survive), which three items would you also like to have with you?

Music, sunglasses, and running shoes.

 

Make 2019 your best year yet! Register now for the #IndyMini

Name: Ryan Rueff and Rob Rueff
City/Town: Greenwood, Indiana
First year of #IndyMini:  Ryan: 2016   Rob: 2016

 

Q: What is your favorite #IndyMini memory?

Ryan: My second Mini as I returned from my injury and surgery. Waving to everyone and celebrating my return.

Rob: Going under the speedway and hearing Ryan giggle the entire time

 

Q: Who or what motivates you the most during training?

Ryan: Having a cold Dr. Pepper after a hard run.

Rob: Ryan

 

Q: What advice do you have for people considering running the #IndyMini for the first time?

Ryan: Have a great time and be sure to smile the entire time.

Rob: Don’t worry about your time – go out and enjoy the sights and sounds of the ʺgreatest spectacle in running.ʺ

 

Q: What’s your favorite song to listen to when running?

Ryan: Nothing. I need to concentrate on my surroundings and be alert when running music can be distracting.

Rob: Don’t listen to music – too many other things to concentrate on and need to be alert.

 

Q: If you were stranded on an island (and had everything necessary to survive), which three items would you also like to have with you?

Ryan: iPod, beyblades, and Dr. Pepper.

Rob: iPhone, Sherlock Holmes books and my Pop-a-Shot.

 

Don’t miss the fun and the excitement of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on May 4. Register now for the #IndyMini!

 

Name: Jenny Haynes
City/Town: Indianapolis, Indiana
First year of #IndyMini: 2014

Q: What is your favorite #IndyMini memory?

Every year is amazing. Running from downtown Indy to the track and back is just an amazing experience in itself! So much history at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway!!! If I have to pick one, my half marathon PR of 2:06 in 2015!

 

Q: Who or what motivates you the most during training?

All of my running friends, near and far! Running has given me many things, but the greatest gift has been the people that it’s brought into my life.

 

Q: What advice do you have for people considering running the #IndyMini for the first time?

It’s the best in the country! Follow a training plan and when your legs get tired, run with your heart.

 

Q: What’s your favorite song to listen to when running?

There are too many to list! I like to listen to upbeat songs while running and have several different play lists to choose from. If I have to pick one, maybe Champion by Carrie Underwood.

 

Q: If you were stranded on an island (and had everything necessary to survive), which three items would you also like to have with you?

Running shoes, Garmin Watch and headphones!

 

Make 2019 your best year yet! Register now for the #IndyMini.

Name: Shane Hillman
City/Town: Gas City, Indiana
First year of #IndyMini: 2013

 

Q: What is your favorite #IndyMini memory?

My friends hid all my shorts(7 pair) the night before the race in 2015. I almost drove all the way home to get them! I always over pack!

 

Q: Who or what motivates you the most during training?

Running friends!

 

Q: What advice do you have for people considering running the #IndyMini for the first time?

The crowd is both overwhelming and motivational at the same time!

 

Q: What’s your favorite song to listen to when running?

“Under Pressure” by Queen.

 

Q: If you were stranded on an island (and had everything necessary to survive), which three items would you also like to have with you?

My Phone, my phone and my phone!

 

Make 2019 your best year yet! Register now for the #IndyMini.

 

Name: Pam Chemelewski
City/Town: Fishers, Indiana
First year of #IndyMini: 2015

 

Q: What is your favorite #IndyMini memory?

Being fortunate enough to be part of the team who saved a fellow runner’s life!

 

Q: Who or what motivates you the most during training?

Whatever goal I have set is what motivates me the most during training. Whether it be going a longer distance, aiming for a PR or running races back to back, without a goal I feel as if I have no path. For me, setting a goal is equivalent to crushing that same goal in due time!

 

Q: What advice do you have for people considering running the #IndyMini for the first time?

First time #IndyMini participants need to take it all in! Enjoy the entire race. Get to the start line early to take in the building excitement. Take time as you walk or run along to meet a few of the participants around you. Thank all the safety personnel you see on the route. Kiss the bricks on the Speedway. Be proud of yourself for that hard earned medal you receive at the finish line. And, most importantly, sign up for next year’s race!

 

Q: What’s your favorite song to listen to when running?

Nearly anything by Flo Rida or Pitbull!

 

Q: If you were stranded on an island (and had everything necessary to survive), which three items would you also like to have with you?

My camera, a good book and, of course, my running shoes!!!

 

Make 2019 your best year yet! Register now for the #IndyMini before prices increase on March 1.

 

Name: Lisha Watts
City/Town: Shelbyville, Indiana
First year of #IndyMini: 2017

 

Q: What is your favorite #IndyMini memory?

My favorite #IndyMini memory is my first one in 2017! I had heard that the race was incredible from the spectators and entertainment along the course to running around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but experiencing it myself was beyond words. I’ve lived in Indiana almost my entire life and that was my first time inside the IMS! I now have ran 20 half marathons and while each one has been awesome in its own way there really is nothing that compares to the Indy Mini!!

 

Q: Who or what motivates you the most during training?

My family is my biggest motivation! My husband is my biggest supporter and I am so excited to run the Indy Mini with him for the first time in 2019!! My kids are also a huge motivation and it’s exciting to watch them develop a love for running through events like the 500 Festival mini mini!

 

Q: What advice do you have for people considering running the #IndyMini for the first time?

My advice is to go for it! I didn’t start running until 2016. In fact, prior to that, I would joke about how I would have to be chased in order to run!! I trained for my first half marathon after being asked to do it by my mom and at that time I couldn’t run for more than a minute. I don’t back down from challenges though and I am pretty determined person. The great thing about the Indy Mini is that it’s a very run/walk friendly course. There is also a lot of fun along the way to distract you and it makes the miles go by a lot faster! Crossing the finish line and earning that finisher’s medal will give you such a feeling of pride and satisfaction!! Just be warned, you will want to come back year after year! I also recommend taking part in the 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy. It’s a good way to keep you motivated during training and hey it doesn’t hurt getting extra bling when you complete all three runs!

 

Q: What’s your favorite song to listen to when running?

My playlist has a wide array of different songs on it! Anything from country, to hip hop to contemporary Christian music. My current favorite song to play is “This Is Me” from the Greatest Showman soundtrack. I’ve been known to play it on repeat during a 5K for a little extra motivation! I also love “The Champion” by Carrie Underwood and “High Hopes” by Panic at the Disco.

 

Q: If you were stranded on an island (and had everything necessary to survive), which three items would you also like to have with you?

My husband and kiddos
My running shoes
Skinny pop and chocolate.

 

Make 2019 your best year yet! Register now for the #IndyMini.

 

Name: Brad Chaney
City/Town: Terre Haute
First year of #IndyMini: 1997

 

Q: What is your favorite #IndyMini memory?

Finishing top 200 in 2017, still my fastest half marathon!

 

Q: Who or what motivates you the most during training?

My friends motivate me and hold me accountable to stick with my training. Consistently improving with hard work is what motivates me to get up and run every day!

 

Q: What advice do you have for people considering running the #IndyMini for the first time?

Get out of your comfort zone, try something new and it will change your life.

 

Q: What’s your favorite song to listen to when running?

Nature! I don’t listen to music ever when I run, I love just being in my thoughts, conversing with my friends or enjoying nature!

 

Q: If you were stranded on an island (and had everything necessary to survive), which three items would you also like to have with you?

My Garmin Watch, at least one of my running buddies and my wife who supports me in all I do!

 

Make 2019 your best year yet! Register now for the #IndyMini.

Name: Tessie Lloyd- Jones
City/Town: Indianapolis
First year of #IndyMini: 2000

 

Q: What is your favorite #IndyMini memory?

Running into people I knew.

 

Q: Who or what motivates you the most during training?

The group I train with.

 

Q: What advice do you have for people considering running the #IndyMini for the first time?

Find a group to train with.

 

Q: What’s your favorite song to listen to when running?

I watch and listen to the entertainers along the way. I would love it if at sometime during the race everyone played the same song maybe the theme song to Rocky.

 

Q: If you were stranded on an island (and had everything necessary to survive), which three items would you also like to have with you?

Books, sunscreen and beer.

 

Make 2019 your best year yet! Register now for the #IndyMini.

 

Name: Patty House
City/Town: Coalmont
First year of #IndyMini: 2018

 

Q: What is your favorite #IndyMini memory?

Kissing the Bricks and giving high-fives to the kids.

 

Q: Who or what motivates you the most during training?

I think what motivates me most is doing what people don’t think I should be able to do. Who would think that someone with one lung can run a mini marathon. Although. I don’t run the whole thing. I jog 3 minutes, walk 2.

 

Q: What advice do you have for people considering running the #IndyMini for the first time?

Follow a training course. Follow it to the T.

 

Q: What’s your favorite song to listen to when running?

“Thunder” by Imagine Dragons

 

Q: If you were stranded on an island (and had everything necessary to survive), which three items would you also like to have with you?

My FITBIT! Running Outfit and a way to get to the internet. 🙂

 

Make 2019 your best year yet! Register now for the #IndyMini.

Name: Savannah Hill
City/Town: Carmel, Ind.
Year of first #IndyMini: 2017

 

Q: What is your favorite #IndyMini Memory?
My favorite memory of the #IndyMini has to be standing on the start line of my very first mini in 2017. I was with my best friend, we were going to run it together. Ever since I can remember, I wanted to run a half marathon at 16. My mom was an avid runner, and I wanted my first one to be with her. After my mom suffered a debilitating injury and was forced to quit running, I decided to run a half marathon in her honor. I was 13 at the time, so naturally I wanted to do it with my best friend. 6 months after we decided to do this, we were standing on the start line of the Greatest Spectacle in Running. I was pretty nervous, but mostly excited. I can still picture myself in my mind, how it always seemed so far away until now. But now, I’m about to accomplish what I’ve been waiting to do for years, and I couldn’t wait to make my mom proud.

 

Q: Who or what motivates you the most during training?
My mom motivates me a lot for my at home runs, and definitely helps me to make and stick with a training plan that will work for my goals and time frame. My biggest motivator has to be my Cross Country team the amazing people make me look forward to the runs, and my competition makes me train harder.

 

Q: What advice do you have for people considering running the #IndyMini for the first time?
My advice would be to choose to do it. I would say that running is 70% a mental sport. No matter how ready you are physically, a bad mindset can ruin a race. So you need to go in with your head high and your confidence up. Because you can do it, if you put your mind to it.

 

Q: What’s your favorite song to listen to when running?
“High Hopes” by Panic at the Disco

 

Q: If you were stranded on an island (and had everything necessary to survive), which three items would you also like to have with you?
I would need hair ties, a soft blanket, and probably the game of life.

 

Make 2019 your best year yet! Register now for the #IndyMini.