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Earlier this year, the Sioux Falls Area Running Club elected a new board. If you’re not familiar with the club, it’s the longest nonprofit running club in Sioux Falls and puts on the kids cross-country series in the fall and the trail series that runs through Big Sioux, Good Earth and Newton Hills state parks. It’s a great group that supports all the other groups in town – from local businesses catering to runners and cyclists to other running clubs and training groups. Why? Because we just like to run. In full disclosure: I’ve been a member for at least 15 years and a board member for about a decade. It’s ebbed and flowed over the years, mirroring life. But this year the club has a new energy, a new focus and a new commitment to better understanding how to serve the Sioux Falls running community and help support everyone else out there trying to do the same thing. I asked our board members to share a bit about themselves so you could see who they are and what they’re trying to do. Below are our bios. Reach out. Tell us what you want, what you need, if you can volunteer. What struck me as I read all of this is that we all have the same reasons for running: To clear our heads. To socialize. To be grateful we can run or race or recover. That we all do it because we need to be outside, or because we love nature or because this is what our friends do, and we’ve fallen in with a bad crowd. This is who we are. Join us. Thanks to our blog sponsor!
Name: Nathan Schwab
Age: 36 Family: Wife, Rachael, and kids Brady, 6, and Lily, 3 Occupation: Personal banker and financial advisor at First Bank & Trust Board position: President and Director of the Trail Series What are you reading or binge-watching: “Red Rising” trilogy and the World Cup What are you training for: Nothing right now, but this fall the Glacier Hills 20K or 30K When and why did you start running: In 2005, I graduated from college and figured I should do something to stay in shape. I love running for a lot of reasons – personal time to clear my head, listen to music or just get away from everything. I’m a pretty competitive runner, and I love the strategy of racing and pushing myself to my limits. I’m primarily a trail runner. Nothing beats the dirt, prairie, trees and animals to truly escape the daily grind. I especially love the varied terrain and hills. It’s so much less about pace and more about the pure experience of the run. Name: Sharleen Stevens Family: Husband and forever-crew person, Jeff Occupation: Inspector at Showplace Board position: Membership co-chair What are you reading or binge-watching: I’m in the middle of three books and trying to keep up with reality shows “The Bachelorette” and “Big Brother.” What are you training for: Superior 100 in September When and why did you start running: I’ve been a runner since junior high, but I’ve kept it up as I’ve gotten older and become better in different ways. It’s so intrinsically rewarding – it’s my therapy, and I love to see where and how far my body can take me. Name: Laurie Ayala Age: 48 Family: Husband and four kids, ranging in age from 12 to 24 Occupation: Health and wellness programming Board position: Membership co-chair What are you reading or binge-watching: “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande What are you training for: I’m injured! When and why did you start running: I love running because no matter how fast, slow I am, how much like a gazelle or lumbering elephant, there is a place for me and others like me in this sport. Name: Phil Breed Age: 55 Family: Two best friends – my wife, Donna and my dog, Ned Occupation: School counselor at Dakota Valley Middle School and assistant cross-country coach, DV PROWL wellness coordinator Board position: Administrative assistant and secretary What are you reading: "Complete Guide to Foam Rolling" by Kyle Stul and "Queen of the Night" J. A. Jance What are you training for: No training this summer -- all recreational running. When and why did you start running: In seventh grade track, I wanted to be a hurdler and my coach said I was a distance runner, and he was right. Now, I run mostly trails, which keeps me in the here and now of footfall as well as the beauty of what’s around me and a clear mind. Name: Jacqueline Palfy Age: 43 Family: Boyfriend, Patrick and two kids, Jack, 9 and Viv, 7 Occupation: Media relations for Sanford Health, blogger, occasional spin class instructor, book club founder Board position: Marketing co-chair What are you reading or binge-watching: “Less” by Andrew Sean Greer What are you training for: Just trying to build back up after a few spring injuries, and hoping for a longer trail run in the fall When and why did you start running: I ran track and cross-country (poorly) in high school, then took a hiatus to mountain bike and make generally bad choices. In 2001, I looked around at my life and realized I needed to make a change, so I started running again. I haven’t looked back. It helps me ease anxiety and depression, it helps me make new friends, it keeps me in shape and centers me – over and over, every time. Name: Scott Kennedy Age: 44 Family: Son, Brian, 20; fiancée Becky and her two kids, Wyatt, 22 and Josie, 11. Occupation: Vice-president of business development for Veracity, an inspection company. I work remotely. Board position: Marketing co-chair What are you reading or binge-watching: I enjoy watching true crime shows: Dateline, etc. What are you training for: Ironman 70.3 in Indian Wells/ La Quinta in December. When and why did you start running: I started running on and off in 2010. In February 2015, I was unhappy with how I felt and decided to make a change. From that point on, I ran 4-5 days a week and started to lose weight, and I also found it helped relieve stress. 5Ks turned into 10Ks and finally a marathon in October 2015. Running requires little equipment or training to start. I travel for work a lot – but I can run anywhere and often meet new people wherever I am. I also love how the Sioux Falls running community bands together in the winter to keep each other motivated with group runs.
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