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#IndyMini Ambassador Q&A: Jim DeRuby

Jim DeRuby Q: How many Indy Minis have you run? A: This will be my 8th consecutive #IndyMini. I schedule all of my races around doing the Mini every year. Q: Who or what inspires you to run? A: The winter on 2009, I was a 38 year old couch potato. The Mini … Continue reading “#IndyMini Ambassador Q&A: Jim DeRuby”

Jim DeRuby

Q: How many Indy Minis have you run?

A: This will be my 8th consecutive #IndyMini. I schedule all of my races around doing the Mini every year.

Q: Who or what inspires you to run?

A: The winter on 2009, I was a 38 year old couch potato. The Mini was on my wife’s bucket list, that winter she told me she was signing us up for the mini. I very reluctantly went along with it. I was 240 lbs, I lost 60 lbs. After the Mini I told my wife, “Don’t ever ask me to sign up for a marathon!” Well 7 marathons, 8 Ironman triathlons and too many other races to count later, I’m still running and pushing myself to places I never knew I was capable of.

Q: What is your favorite Mini memory or experience?

A: My first Mini has to be my best memory. My wife and I ran the race together. Lining up for the race I was both excited and completely freaked out. I had never ran 13.1 miles before, so the unknown was a bit unnerving. Crossing that finish line side by side with my wife was incredible. I was hooked at that point!

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

A: ANYONE can run/walk 13.1 miles! Just start out running for a minute, then walk a minute. Go to your local running store and get good shoes. Ask an experienced runner for advice on how to train. Your life will never be the same afterwards.

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#IndyMini Ambassador Q&A: Matt Herald

Matt Herald Q: How many Indy Minis have you run? A: To date, I have completed four half marathons (two Indy Minis). However, I have also completed a 16-mile trail run and a full marathon. Q: Who or what inspires you to run? A: I have a lot of inspiration! In no particular order: … Continue reading “#IndyMini Ambassador Q&A: Matt Herald”

Matt Herald

Q: How many Indy Minis have you run?

A: To date, I have completed four half marathons (two Indy Minis). However, I have also completed a 16-mile trail run and a full marathon.

Q: Who or what inspires you to run?

A: I have a lot of inspiration! In no particular order:

My doctor, who threatened to medicate me because of my high blood pressure.

My wife, who continuously compliments me on the muscles in my legs.

My kids, who look up to me and see what hard work can do.

My friends, who cannot believe that I have lost 65 pounds and look forward to my daily run!

New runners, who look at me and call me their inspiration.

Q: What is your favorite Mini memory or experience?

A: Crossing the finish line at my first mini-marathon (Indy Mini 2015) and knowing that only a few years prior, I was a lazy, overweight couch potato. But now, here I am completing 13.1 miles and was overjoyed at it!

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

A: Focus on YOU! Yes there are tons of runners out there, and yes, many of them run faster than you, but who cares? The only person you need to focus on being better than is you. If you finish a workout or a race and you can honestly tell yourself that you gave it your all, then you won! If you did not give it your all, then take the opportunity to see where you did not perform well and work on that on your next run. Your best, and worst, competition is the person that you were, yesterday.

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

Written on April 27, 2017 at 9:56 pm, by 500 Fe

#IndyMini Ambassador Q&A: Marlo Neustifter

Marlo Neustifter Q: How many Indy Minis have you run? A: This Mini will be my fourth. I’ve run in 14, 15, and 16. Q: Who or what inspires you to run? A: My grandmother and my father both died of heart failure before they were 60. I started running as a heart healthy … Continue reading “#IndyMini Ambassador Q&A: Marlo Neustifter”

Marlo Neustifter

Q: How many Indy Minis have you run?

A: This Mini will be my fourth. I’ve run in 14, 15, and 16.

Q: Who or what inspires you to run?

A: My grandmother and my father both died of heart failure before they were 60. I started running as a heart healthy activity; to honor them and in hopes of making it past the 60 year old mark.

Q: What is your favorite Mini memory or experience?

A: My first half was the mini so that was AHMAZING! I ran it alone in 2:32 on a statement I took as a dare. “You should run a half marathon”! My original response was you are nuts, until someone else said: “Why not?” So, I took that as a dare and did it!

Last year was fun as well, I kept waiting to see Meb run by….and waiting…..and waiting until my sister said “oh weird, their is a whole group of people running by in neon” While running, I’m straining my neck and head and see Meb, and his entourage already 100 feet in front of me. LOL My sister has no idea who Meb is. But, I did catch a glimpse.

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

A: My advice for every first time runner is to just sign up for the race. Whether it be a 5,10,half or full. Sign up for it! I had never run a single day in my life before I turned 40, less than 3 years later I ran a half marathon because someone said I should.

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#IndyMini Ambassador Q&A: Danielle Williams

Danielle Williams Q: How many Indy Minis have you ran? A: Three (2013, 2014, 2016). I had to skip 2015 to have an ablation procedure to fix my heart’s tachycardia problem. Q: Who or what inspires you to run? A: So many people! My teenager is a beast! She works and trains so hard and I … Continue reading “#IndyMini Ambassador Q&A: Danielle Williams”

Danielle Williams

Q: How many Indy Minis have you ran?

A: Three (2013, 2014, 2016). I had to skip 2015 to have an ablation procedure to fix my heart’s tachycardia problem.

Q: Who or what inspires you to run?

A: So many people! My teenager is a beast! She works and trains so hard and I see all of her hard work pay off so it definitely makes me want to work a little harder. My husband, who I’ll probably never catch, but it’s a nice goal. I also get really motivated watching random strangers run. Watching people finish a half or a full marathon, I tend to pick out people of similar builds or with similar features and think, “Why am I not running that fast? Or that far?” Then new goals are set for myself!

Q: What is your favorite Mini memory or experience?

A: My first Mini was amazing! I had never run more than a 5K, which I actually walked a good portion of! I did some research on training and decided I might need way more time than suggested. I started training in September or October. My husband thought this was a crazy idea but decided he would run it, too. Neither of us knew much about the Mini. We had no idea that there would be a bazillion spectators lining the course and cheering for us. We had no idea that tons of kids would want to high five us. And the bands, and square dancers, cheer squads, amazing volunteers…..it’s a 13 mile-long party with thousands of friends! I was in awe!

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

A: High five all the kids! Take in all the sights! Kiss the bricks! Take some pictures! Thank the cops and medics on the course! Enjoy the whole experience. Worry about covering the distance but don’t get too caught up in the time. And the most important thing; don’t try to run while drinking from water station cups. Choking while running is not fun! Walk!

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

#IndyMini Ambassador Q&A: Andrea Farthing

Andrea Farthing A now-avid runner and active member of the running community, Andrea also frequents the Disney race series, as shown in her photo. Q: How many Indy Minis have you participated in? A: This will be my sixth time running the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Q: Who or what inspires you to run? … Continue reading “#IndyMini Ambassador Q&A: Andrea Farthing”

Andrea Farthing

A now-avid runner and active member of the running community, Andrea also frequents the Disney race series, as shown in her photo.

Q: How many Indy Minis have you participated in?

A: This will be my sixth time running the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.

Q: Who or what inspires you to run?

A: I started running just to see if I could do the Mini-Marathon. I kept running for the health benefits. Running for fun is my main goal. I try to find fun in everything I do.

Q: What is your favorite Mini memory or experience?

A: In 2008, not only did I run my first #IndyMini, but it was also my first half marathon. Crossing the finish line for the first time was unforgettable. My husband and son were there cheering for me.

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

A: Make sure to pace yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and run too fast in the first couple of miles. Save some of that energy to get you through all 13.1 miles.

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