Michele Hale President Griffith

I was inspired to start running while watching my sister Christine cross the finish line of the Disney Marathon and "high five" Minnie. It was a truly up-lifting experience.

I have been running since September 27,1997. Hospital Hustle was my first race - I had to take walk breaks during this what seemed to be LONG 5K. Since crossing that finish line I describe myself as an addict. Since then I′ve competed in over 350 races - 21 of which were full marathons and 35 half marathons. I have a VERY supportive and understanding family.

2008: As President this year my goal is to stay involved with:

• The needs of our Members;
• Promotion and growth of our club;
• Race evaluations so we can process the feedback from everyone;
• Our Strider Picnic and AAU meets and
• Sponsorship from various vendors

I′m currently working with Fuel Belt Sponsorship programs for our club.

2007: My first year as President was an amazing year. With the help of the Board, it made my job run a lot smoother. My husband also became more involved by becoming the Aide Station Captain at the Chicago Marathon. Just when I thought I knew everything about what went into running, through him I have learned much more. I look forward to serving The Calumet Region Striders as President again this year as I truly have a passion for running and I am a true believer in what The Calumet Region Striders stand for.

2006: I thought I knew everything about the needs of a runner from head to toe, then I took a position at Dick′s Sporting Good′s Store as The Running Specialist. After many hours of training and testing it is always a pleasure to share everything I have taken in not only with The Striders but many new runners, some who have become Striders.

2005-2006: I was Vice President of the Calumet Region Striders. I felt honored at first then overwhelmed. Our club is run like a business. It takes a lot of work - volunteer work. It′s the dedication of the entire board that makes our club what it is.

2004: was an amazing year for me as I ran 4 full marathons in 6 months - 2 of which were only 5 days apart (Boston was one of them). Running that marathon gave me a feeling as no other one has. When I qualified for it in 2003 at Chicago, the rush it gave me still has not gone away. I also had the chance to run in Orlando, Nashville, Vegas, Indy, Cincinnati, South Carolina and twice in New York.

I have run the Chicago Marathon the past 7 years with Opportunity Enterprises. They are a not-for-profit organization that helps out mentally and physically challenged individuals in Lake and Porter counties Indiana. I head up the Lake County Marathon team training program. Helping out others less fortunate than yourself is another one of those feelings that is so awesome. Words can′t describe it. I am a certified running coach with the RRCA and I just finished the ASEP coaching certification.

I run -

• to keep my weight under control
• to keep my stress level down
• with my sister and friends
• because I have a passion for it
• because it makes my internal Happy switches go on

Stride On,

Contact Information:

E-Mail:

Phone: (219) 742-8581

Updated: 2/20/2008

	Calumet Region Striders, PO Box 225, Griffith, IN 46319
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