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.
August 2024
Rhonda Dean
Houston Masters Running
Houston, TX
When did you start running? I had peripartum cardiomyopathy after having twins. Heart failure after having multiples. I had always been an athlete before but never been a runner. My husband started talking to me about becoming a runner and my journey began! In 2001 I ran my 1st 5k, in 2010 I started my first Marathon, and in 2021 I ran my first 50k!
Tell us about your run club. I joined Houston Masters Running Club a few years back when I met Michael Luna at the Texas Independence Relay. I am currently on the board and serve on the 25k Race Committee!
Favorite moment about running or your run club? Running makes me feel alive and sexy! Lol! And to be honest, I was wrangled into the run club and it was one of the best things to happen! I love all the friends I’ve made along the way and would highly recommend running clubs to everyone!!
Join a group! Make life-long friends! Get fit!
July 2024
Joshua Litton
Fass Run Club
Conroe, TX
When did you start running? I was a short-distance sprinter in high school who hated anything over the 400m, but stopped running entirely for 7 years after graduating. In 2019 some friends started getting into running, inspiring me to start knocking out a few miles per week. Through 2020 I was running more, and once lockdowns started easing up I registered for my first race. I’ve been hooked ever since!
Tell us about your run club. Fass Run Club is amazing! So many great people have come together to naturally create a community of support and friendship. We host runs twice a week, and are based out of the oldest building in downtown Conroe, now home to Fass Brewing. Even outside of club runs we’re always up to something, whether it’s running races together, training during the week, visiting other run clubs, or hitting up a happy hour! It’s been awesome seeing all the relationships grow and new people find a welcoming place. There are also a lot of cyclists and triathletes who join us.
Favorite moment about running or your run club? I love it when the group comes together for races – it gets me stoked. Last year at a race in Conroe, we had 13 runners from FRC place in their Age Groups which was so cool to see!
Find a group in your area to run with. Running can be so serious and lonely, but group runs are a great way to embrace the fun side of it. Also, go to Fleet Feet (or a specialty running store near you) and get a good pair of shoes if you’re able to. It makes a huge difference.
June 2024
Lissa Willason
Goose's Acre Running Club
The Woodlands, TX
When did you start running? In 2012 but buckled down and got consistent in 2023. I was going through some stuff at the time and it was a way to get things off of my chest, then I just fell in love with it.
Tell us about your run club. They’re my people, their encouragement has helped me through my frustrating summer miles and got me to the starting line of my first marathon this year. It was through the club that I met some of my current best friends! I don’t think I would have stuck with running as long as I have or achieved what I’ve achieved without them, they give me a reason to show up & keep going.
Favorite moment about running or your run club? Run club is my favorite thing about running haha! I go to two — Goose’s Acre and Fleet Feet Hughes Landing — and they’re the majority of my social life. I love that my hobby has brought me to other active people because they not only get it but they keep me going when I sometimes don’t want to (some weeks I run just to see my friends!) & everything is easier to love when you share it with others.
You are capable of more than you think, so tackle that dream distance or chase that PR — you’ll get there eventually. Relentless forward progress, you got this!
