This post is not about me, it is about my mom, but a quick background on myself: I never thought I would be a runner. In high school I hated running; I played volleyball and basketball, so I did have to run a little, but when it came to track and field, I threw discus and shotput to avoid it. The summer of 2011, before I went to college, however, I decided I needed something to stay active, so running it was. Fast forward to today I have completed countless 5k and 10ks, 8 half marathons, and currently training for my first marathon, but that’s enough about me.

When I started to do races I really didn’t like to go by myself so I would ask my mom to come with me. It was nice to have someone there for support as well to hold my bags. I guess she got tired of holding my bags because in the spring of 2013 she started walking every morning on the treadmill and started weight watchers.  That summer she did her first 5k and although she didn’t run that whole thing, she was motivated to do so, and that fall she ran her first full 5k. She did not stop there, in the spring of 2014, just one year after starting her running journey, she ran her first 10k and not to mention dropping 60+ pounds. Since then she has gone on to run many more 5k events in the past two years and five more 10k’s just in 2015!

My mom still supports me in my races, but she no longer is holding my bag because most of the time she is also running either the same race or one of her own. She told me when she started that I was her motivation, but for me it is the other way around. She has inspired me and taught me with time and dedication anyone can do anything, at any age. We decided this year we are going to do a race every month with each other. I am so happy that we get to share this life changing hobby that neither one of us thought we would be doing, while being each other’s number one supporters.

Happy Running,
​
Kristin Pistorius

January 11th
Rest Day – did some push-ups and planks just to keep the core strong.
 
January 12th
I put in a 6-mile run at the 605 Running Company, Tuesday noon group run. I ran north along the bike trail toward Great Bear. It was another cold windy day – getting tuff early on in the training program. Witnessed several little field mice near the river – made me wonder when the birds of prey were going to swoop down toward my head!
 
January 13th
FRIENDS! I got 3 folks to go the extra two miles with me at the Wednesday night group run for a total of six miles. This night was probably the best weather for running all week; you might even call it humid! We had a very large group for yoga following the run, which truly was the cherry on top for the evening.
 
January 14th
Put in a full workout at the pool in the AM – I honestly cannot speak enough to how much a value the time in the pool. We also started our training group at the Sanford Fieldhouse in the evening. I haven’t had a coach of any kind in over a decade, and I’ve never worked directly with a personal trainer. We have a fantastic group of athletes training together on these nights and I was blown away by how much fun the gym could be. Looking forward to watching everyone’s progression as the program moves forward.
 
January 15th
For this run I posted on the 605-community Facebook page looking for folks to run with. My options were 5:15AM or 5:30AM at the YMCA. I figured if I had to get up early I might as well go all the way and joined some friends at 5:15AM for 9 miles. My training plan said 8, but I figured how bad could 1 extra mile be? After the two-a-day treatment on Thursday I found out that the extra mile is terrible – the group kicked my butt – at least they were very nice about it though.
 
January 16th
COLD! So cold we canceled the group run at the store. This was clearly a case of follow what I say, not what I do as I put in 8 more miles in the morning prior to starting my workday. The first chunk of my mileage was a very fun tour of historical landmarks in Sioux Falls: the falls, the cathedral, the Pettigrew house, and historic Phillips Avenue. For the second portion of my run I double back down to the falls and then made a swing around my old stomping grounds at Whittier Middle School (I worked at the YMCA afterschool program for 4 years!).

January 17th
Please follow this link for an update on Sunday.

Happy Running
​Greg Koch 

Finding the perfect track spikes is no easy task.  First, there are different types of track spikes (cross country, middle distance, sprints), and how they feel on your foot is very important.  Some runners may prefer a snugger shoe while others want to be able to have a little wiggle room in their toe box.  You are looking to find the shoe that is going to get you that personal record goal or even win! This is why it is very important to try on the shoe with your intended socks before you buy them!
 
How to tell the difference in track spikes:

• Sprints- For races between 100-400 meters. They have no heel because you are on your toes the entire race, lightweight, and a stiff spike plate.
• Middle distance- For races between 400-1600 meter.  They tend to have a small cushioned heel and a smaller footprint than distance spikes.
• Long distance- For 3,000-10,000 meter races.  These shoes will have a less amount of spikes, smaller spike plate, and cushion throughout the shoe.

We've got a great selection of spikes from New Balance and Saucony! Visit us today to gear up for you season. 

Also, students who show their valid student ID at the store will receive 15% off their purchase year round.

The Runner Mom
Kelli  Huenecke

January 3
 
1st day of marathon training! Step number 1 get signed-up for the race. For weeks now I’d been slowly letting more and more people know that I’d decided to take the plunge and train for the Lincoln Marathon. My beautiful bride Chelsea and I had also committed to joining a group of friends at Terry Peak Ski area to ring in the New Year. That is where my brain apparently stopped thinking.
 
Everyone that I talked to about this race told me that you better get up early to register because it sells out so fast.
 
Things needed to register: Internet access, Internet functioning device, and the correct time zone.
 
So here I was in the wee hours of the morning, in the middle of the woods outside of Deadwood with my cell phone and credit card patiently waiting for a browser to open. No I wasn’t up at 3am, but I did manage to get in! Once all other humans woke up, at a regular human time, Chelsea and I made the long drive across the state.
 
The next step for me on this day was a 10-mile bike ride following our long car ride. Not one day into training and I was already telling myself I could skip this workout. After all I’d spent the entire weekend downhill skiing. Chelsea thankfully was much more motivated to go to the gym and reminded me that I also spent the weekend eating pizza, cheeseburgers, and drinking beer.
 
Workout #1 on Day #1 SUCCESS!
 
January 4
 
Monday’s will be my rest day during this adventure. After our bike ride and a weekend of skiing I was happy to have day #2 be a rest day. I still managed 30 push-ups and a few planks for good measure though.
 
January 5
 
Tuesday is my day off from work for the month of January. I did manage to spend some quality time with @SamThomaswx of KSFY NEWS and @lizziekuckukRD from 5am – 7am. We’ve scheduled a new group run at noon so I figured what better place to tackle 6 miles! Unfortunately, I was the only one willing to venture out on this brisk day. I ran from the store and took the bike trail toward Great Bear until the trail ends. Just over 6 miles - workout complete!
 
January 6
 
Another beautiful day and another great group run! 6 more miles with a large turnout of folks for the Wednesday night group run – thanks everyone for make this workout a breeze. We ran through the falls and up pen hill. Everyone turned around at the top, but for me I needed to add a long boring mile north toward the airport. Thankfully Wayne had a great foam rolling class at the store following our run – after 12 miles in two days my body needed that!
 
January 7
 
Two days in one week on the KSFY morning show! My Thursday sessions will a little different than other training plans. In the mornings I will be doing a timed swim. No set distance goal, just getting in the pool to swim laps and mix it up a bit. I’ve always enjoyed the pool and was even a lifeguard at one point in my life. Plus they have a hot tub! Starting next week I will spend the evenings at the Sanford Fieldhouse, the store has co-sponsored a spring race-training group and I’m very excited to be working with professionals on strength training, dynamic movement, and my diet.
 
January 8
 
No group run to save my butt today! 4 fresh inches of snow made the bike trial more like a giant pillow to run on than a concrete jungle. Even though I prefer the challenge of running in a group I must say that this 6-mile adventure was truly enjoyable.
 
My motto for days like today, “When it is too snowy and cold for everyone else, it is just right for me!”
 
January 9
 
Saturday is my long run day. Nothing builds your mental game than the first long run in single digits and wind-chill! Thankfully I had Brian Rains and Sheila Stanley to join me on the cold weather venture. Certainly putting that new motto to the test!
 
January 10     
 
Right back where the week began; riding 10-miles on the stationary bike while watching ESPN with my best friend at my side. We had a great week at the store including an amazing cRaZy DaYs weekend, multiple visits with the KSFY News team, a feature in the Argus Leader Business Journal, and many miles with friends. Thanks everyone for following me on my journey to the Lincoln Marathon!
 
Cheers,

Greg "PEPSI" Koch