Category: #IndyMini Ambassador Q&A

Name: Megan Creasser

City/ Town: Indianapolis, IN

First year of #IndyMini: 2018

 

Q: What is your favorite #IndyMini memory?

The support from family, friends, and the people of Indianapolis! The spectators are amazing and their motivation helped me cross the finish line. I loved being able to finish my first half marathon and meet up with my good friend, Lisa. She supported and guided me through my first mile, and it was an amazing feeling to finish my first 13.1 miles and find her at the finish!

 

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

I run for mental health and confidence! Running has helped my depression and anxiety. I feel free when I run.

 

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

Trust your training and enjoy the experience. The entertainment and amazing spectators will motivate you to cross the finish. Enjoy the beautiful city of Indianapolis and HAVE FUN!

 

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

It truly varies, but anything by the Foo Fighters definitely gives me motivation!

 

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 family! My husband Jeff and my two sons, Caleb and Lucan.

 

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

 

Name: Corey Queen
City/ Town: La Grange, KY
First year of #IndyMini: 2017

Q: What is your favorite #IndyMini memory?

Meeting Meb at my first Indy Mini. He was so nice and I was legit star struck!

 

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

My beautiful wife, Damary, and our 4 Blessings: Ayanna, Annabelle, Adrianna, and Jorel

 

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

Enjoy the massive amounts of support from the wonderful people of Indianapolis….and stop to Kiss the Bricks!!

 

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

ʺWalk on Waterʺ – 30 Seconds to Mars

 

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?

1)A blank journal to write in; 2)A telescope to look at the stars up close; 3)Bourbon (I AM from Kentucky!)

Make 2019 your best year yet! Register now for the #IndyMini before prices increase on January 15.

 Name: Christopher Day
City/Town: Yorktown, IN
Year of first #IndyMini: 2001

Q: What is your favorite #IndyMini memory?

Running and Finishing with my wife, Molly, – still her ONLY half marathon!

 

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

The potential to inspire others, especially those that are overweight like myself!

 

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

BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN!

 

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

It always has been Foo Fighters- “Everlong”, but somehow The Greatest Show has snuck in there!

 

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 running shoes, my Garmin watch, and my smartphone with unlimited WiFi – Otherwise, how would anyone know when I complete a workout!?!

 

Make 2019 your best year yet! Register now for the #IndyMini before prices increase on January 15.

 

 

Name: Molly Packard
City/Town: Bloomington, Ind.
Year of first #IndyMini: 2007

Q: What is your favorite #IndyMini Memory?
When I got a high five and selfie with Meb Keflezighi.

Q: Who or what motivates you the most during training?
My family – my husband is very supportive of my crazy running hobby!

Q: What advice do you have for people considering running the #IndyMini for the first time?
Just have fun! Don’t think about your pace – soak up all the sounds and sights along the race!

Q: What’s your favorite song to listen to when running?
Shake It Off – Taylor Swift

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 running shoes, an iPod, and coffee.

Name: Matthew Herald
City/Town: Fort Wayne, Ind.
Year of first #IndyMini: 2015

 

Q: What is your favorite #IndyMini Memory?
Kissing the bricks for the very first time.

 

Q: Who or what motivates you the most during training?
The goals I set for myself. I was out of shape and lazy for most of my life. Once I made that decision that enough was enough and turned my life around, I have set goals for myself to push my body. Every time I hit a goal, I am amazed that my body can do these things, so I immediately set a new goal because I want to know everything that this body can accomplish.

 

Q: What advice do you have for people considering running the #IndyMini for the first time?
No one says that you have to RUN the whole thing. Just complete it at your own pace. If you can run, then run. If you can walk, then walk. Just make sure that you keep going forward and that you cross the finish line.

 

Q: What’s your favorite song to listen to when running?
Sabotage by The Beastie Boys

 

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?
A recliner, the Stephen King library and a fishing pole (hey, I love sushi!).

 

Make 2019 your best year yet! Register now for the #IndyMini before prices increase on January 15.

Denise Smith

Q: How many Indy Minis have you run?

A: This is my first Indy Mini as a participant. Last year, I volunteered at the water station at IMS. My house is within the Mini route. I can stand on my front porch and watch as the participants go by on both W. Michigan Street and 10th Ave.

 

Q: Who or what inspires you to run?

A: I am inspired to be active by my children and, especially, my grandchildren. I don’t want them to think that being older means that a person can’t lead an active and healthy life. My four grandchildren look forward to our walks together and my eight-year old granddaughter has done a 5K with me. I also want people to know that walking is a very acceptable and inexpensive form of exercise that offers a wide variety of health benefits.

 

Q: What is your favorite Mini memory or experience?

A: My favorite Mini experience was in 2000. My five children and I participated in the inaugural 500 Festival 5K. The Indiana Pacers were in the playoffs and my two sons were able to with and meet several of the NBA players.

 

Q: What advice would you give to someone running the Mini for their first time?

A: For first time participants, I would suggest that they don’t try anything new on race day. Whether it’s clothing, shoes, accessories, food, drink, or even headphones, make sure it’s all been tried out ahead of time. Also, trust your training and enjoy the experience. Know that there are thousands of people cheering you on and you never know who could be watching and inspired by you.

 

500festival.com  |  IndyMini.com  |  @500Festival  |  Facebook.com/500Fest  |  Facebook.com/500FestivalMiniMarathon  

Mark Seitz

Q: How many Indy Minis have you run?

A: This will be my 19^th consecutive Mini.  It’s hard to believe that there are high school seniors graduating this month who weren’t even born when I did my first Mini.

 

Q: Who or what inspires you to run?

A: The past couple of years I have run with a group called Back on My Feet, which combats homelessness through the power of running, community support and essential employment and housing resources.  It is incredibly inspiring to see some of the BoMF guys that I run with reach milestones like completing their first Mini marathon or securing a job and moving into their own apartment.

 

Q: What is your favorite Mini memory or experience?

A: I am incredibly proud of my two children who used to come to the Mini to watch me, and are now running the Indy Mini as adults.  My birthday happens to coincide with the week surrounding the Mini so we get together with family and any out-of-time guests on Saturday night and celebrate my birthday, Mother’s Day, any graduations, and the completion of the Mini. It’s a fun tradition.

 

Q: What advice would you give to someone running the Mini for their first time?

A: Enjoy the entire experience!  Enjoy the race expo on Friday and the take in the nervous energy of other participants as you wait in your starting corral Saturday morning; see if you can spot an elephant up on the hill as you pass by the Indianapolis Zoo; high-five the youngsters that come out of their house to watch the parade of runners; say ‘thanks you’ to the police, medical teams, and national guard members who are positioned along the course; try to absorb some of the energy of the bands, cheerleaders, cloggers, water-station volunteers, and Chik-Fil-A cows though the middle part of the race; kiss the bricks!; look for US marathon legends who will be positioned along the IMS track; appreciate the accomplishment as you finally cross the finish line; ring the PR bell in the recovery area; give a big sweaty hug to any friends or family members that might be waiting for you (they’ll love that!); enjoy some Gatorade, cold milk, or a complimentary beer as you re-hydrate; celebrate with a nap and big meal later in the day… and sign up for next year’s Mini while the endorphins are still kicking in!

 

Jennifer Himes

Q: How many Indy Minis have you run?

A: I’ve ran two Mini-Marathons so this will be my third.

 

Q: Who or what inspires you to run?

A: I inspire myself to run and live a healthy lifestyle. I’ve always been my biggest cheerleader, but also my biggest critic. Every day I push myself to be better than the day before.

 

Q: What is your favorite Mini memory or experience?

A: My favorite Mini-Marathon experience was crossing the line after finishing my first Mini. It was such a great feeling knowing all the hard work and training had paid off.

 

Q: What advice would you give to someone running the Mini for their first time?

A: Anyone running the Mini for the first time should just have fun. Don’t worry about your time, just enjoy the race.

PS – Make sure you go to the bathroom before the race!

 

500festival.com  |  IndyMini.com  |  @500Festival  |  Facebook.com/500Fest  |  Facebook.com/500FestivalMiniMarathon