December 2024
Hayden Lightfoot
BON Running Club
Houston, TX
How long have you been running? I began running in April 2021 as part of a weight loss journey. I was completely unhappy, unhealthy, and miserable. I knew something needed to change but wasn’t sure where to start. I decided to give running a try. At first, I really couldn’t stand it. After sticking with it for a while and learning more about it, I began to really enjoy it. Here we are; 3.5 years later, having lost 70+lbs, and I’m by far the happiest I’ve ever been! Now running is who I am. It’s such a huge part of my life, I wouldn’t want it any other way!
Tell us about your run club. BON Running Club is a Houston based run club that has weekly runs from Little Woodrow’s Rice Village. This club is my home base! They’ve always been welcoming to all runners(new or experienced). I’ll never forget how intimidated I was the first time I showed up to BON but it immediately felt like home. At BON, it’s not about pace or distance, it’s all about community and friendships!
What is your favorite memory from your run club? I will never forget the feeling of my first marathon (Chevron Houston Marathon 2022). The crowd support and the way all the runners support each other, it truly is amazing to see and to be a part of. Prior to this race, I was telling myself I was a “one and done” marathoner. However, the feeling I got during this race made that not an option. After finishing and realizing I might or could do just a little better, I decided to try again…. Several more times. With intentions of doing many more in the future! The feeling of qualifying for Boston for the first time in January 2024 was indescribable.
Slow down, trust the process, and enjoy the journey. You only get the live the journey once, don’t rush it! Find yourself a group because the running community is the best in the world!
November 2024
Sara Fults
West End Running Club (WERC)
Houston, TX
How long have you been running? I have been running since 2002 because my sister said races are fun. Wow, did she underestimate how fun I would find running.
When did you start running with your run club? The West End Running Club or WERC meets on Tuesdays in the Galleria. We are in a rebuilding stage, but the WERCers are a dedicated, fun group of runners. We are even planning our own, homegrown marathon in October!
What is your favorite memory from run club? Favorite WERC moments: when runners finish their run in front of Ducky’s, we cheer them in! Favorite running moments have been the miles and smiles shared with running friends, especially from WERC.
Take it one day at a time. Alexi Pappas said it best: “training is like building a sandcastle.
every grain of sand is important, even if you can’t see them all” And
remember to run with joy. We get to do this!
October 2024
LeAnn Sukman
Astral Running Club
Houston, TX
When did you start running? I started running in junior high as part of my school’s track team. I quit running in college and would start and stop over and over but never really stuck with it until 2019. That was the year I helped start the run club at what was then Astral Brewing.
Tell us about your run club. ARC has been the best thing I’ve done!! We have grown quite a lot in the 5 years we’ve been doing this. It used to be a small group of dedicated runners (10 per week) and now we get 30-40 on a weekly basis. We like to participate in races together and support our runners wherever they are in their running journey. We’ve expanded our weekly run to include a once a month brunch run.
Favorite moment about running or your run club? My favorite moment was finishing the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in 2023. Knowing I had the stamina to go 13.1 miles was not something I would have considered when I started running again.
Find a group of like minded runners and have fun. Remember that you are only competing against
yourself and that a slow run is better than no run. A 6 minute mile and a 15 minute mile is still the same distance!!!
September 2024
Julie Nguyen
CityCentre Running Club
Houston, TX
When did you start running? I started running 10 years ago. Initially, I ran because it was part of my rehab from a freak accident. In the beginning, I did not enjoy it, because I wasn’t good at it and almost gave up. I signed up for a 10k as motivation. Over the years, I’ve learned more about running. Now, running is a big part of my life.
Tell us about your run club. CityCentre Running Club is diverse and welcoming to new and experienced runners.
Favorite moment about running or your run club? My favorite part of running is the friendships that I’ve made through running. It’s fun to go to social runs and catch up with friends and making new ones.
Take an effort to greet new people at run clubs or social runs, introduce yourself, and introduce them to someone else at their pace. Showing up to a group run for the first time can be intimidating.
