April 2024
Michelle Williams
Dog Haus Running Club
Pasadena, CA
How long have you been running? I have been running for almost 10 years and ran my first marathon in 2015 – the LA Marathon. To celebrate my 10th year, I decided to run the New York Marathon as my 10th marathon. I did it by combining Fitness, Fun, and Philanthropy raising money for rare cancer research with The Brave Like Gabe Foundation.
When did you start running with your run club? I started running with Dog Haus Running Club on 12-3-2013 and through the club I found my tribe, found my inspiration, and it helped me create a new and better life.
What is your favorite memory from run club? I have so many favorite moments with DHRC I can’t pick just one. My “why” is everyone that shows up on Tuesday. They keep me going. They make me want to make each day better and each event better. My goal is to continue to create a safe & fun environment where everybody feels welcome, can be themselves, and can challenge themselves.
I believe that the sport of running can positively impact an individual & that by connecting individuals through running we can make a positive impact in our communities (and possibly the world).
March 2024
Regina Massingill
CityCentre Running Club
Houston, Texas
When I started running, I did it alone. I thought I needed to train first to maybe one day be fast enough to join a group. I thought I was too slow to fit in. I happened across City Centre Run Club on accident and decided to give it a try. Turns out I wasn’t the only “slow” one there; and no one expected me to be faster.
Having been a part of CCRC now for nearly 10 years, I’ve learned that these kinds of thoughts are not unique to me. Many of us have experienced this fear of inadequacy. But the running community here in Houston is one of the most accepting places imaginable. Don’t give up the solo runs, nothing can replace those. But if you want to gain confidence – and maybe a little speed along the way – find a tribe that you can mesh with once or twice a week.
I say I’ve been a runner since 2014, since this is when I did my first marathon – Chevron Houston of course. I honestly thought at the time it would be a 1-time thing, but I got hooked. I’ve done many more marathons since then, bringing my time down from 5:20 to 3:06 and finally making it to that most coveted of races – Boston – in 2021. My passion has increasingly led me to ultra trail running in recent years, progressing from 50k to 200 mile races, with a few FKT’s in between.
My advice? Enjoy the journey you’re on, smile through the pain, and pursue what makes you happy.
