INSTEP Editor

Frank Johnson

INSTEP Editor
Crown Point

I have enjoyed running for a long as I can remember. I am 44 years old, married with two daughters.

I started running in eighth grade. I joined cross-country my freshman year in high school. That was my first year of true competition and I have loved it ever since. I was voted Freshman athlete of the year, as I lettered in both track and cross country. I ran all through high school and was runner up "athlete of the year" my senior year after winning "best mental attitude" award my junior year.

There are three main reasons I love to run. The first is the friendships that are created. Secondly, I love the challenge of not just trying to do better every time I run, but to see how far I can push myself. Thirdly, I love to run in the morning when the dew is still in the air just hovering over the grass, listening to the sounds of nature. That is my time away from the real world I live in. It is something no one can take away from me.

I joined the Striders three years ago after taking ten years off from the sport. I helped my wife, Denise, raise our two daughters: Kara and Brittany. Four years ago I noticed a race in Griffith. I woke up that morning, without training, signed up and ran it. It was a very slow run. But that day the "running bug" was back. So, I decided to run the Chicago Marathon that October. It took me 3 hours and 58 minutes. My life long dream was to run Boston. I joined the Striders and O.E. and trained. After three marathons of failing to qualify, I trained harder. Last October I ran Chicago in 3 hours 15 minutes and qualified. In April, I went with my friends and family to Boston and I ran my first Boston Marathon. I will go back some day.

This is my first year on the Board and editing the "Instep". I have helped with the Beginning Running Program for the past three years. I am ASEP coaching certified and would like to continue on so someday I can coach others myself.

My favorite Strider story: It was my first year helping with the B.R.P. I was at one of the last practices and I was asked what I was doing the next day. There was a runner who was hurt and a group of twelve needed someone to fill in to do this 280 mile relay. I said sure and that is how my friendships were started with the Striders. I got into this van with a group of runners I had never met before. That is a weekend I will never forget.

Since joining the Striders I have not just done marathons and too many 5k′s to count, I have also competed in Triathlons and adventure racing. My favorite courses to train on are the back hilly roads. I love to run on hills. Yes, that sounds crazy, but the harder I go the better I feel.

So why do I run;

  1. reduce my stress and for my peace of mind
  2. competition and to push myself beyond healthy limits
  3. my friendships
  4. Most importantly --- I love it!!

Thanks.

Contact Information:

E-Mail:

Phone: 219-805-6526

Updated: 6/14/2007

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