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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