You Inspire Us....

Sara is a runner, mother, grandmother, MS fundraiser, career woman, and  genuinely interesting person from Charlotte, NC.  She is also a fan of the TuckTop™, our awesome top with secure pockets, and wore it running in the 5K Princess Run at Disney World.  We want to share our recent conversation with her because we love her spirit and think she is inspiring...

When did you start running? What prompted you to start?

**I ran my first half marathon in 2011 with several other people who I work with. I’d run a few 5k’s before that but nothing too hard core. That first 13.1 miles was my first step into being a “real runner”. Then I actually ran another half a month after that!

How do you feel when you run?

** Running is a fickle beast; sometimes it’s the worst feeling ever, like why am I out here doing this? I could be at home having coffee! Then the very next run you feel like the Queen of the World and you feel totally invincible! 

Regardless of which kind of run you have, the feeling afterwards is the same - exhilaration!

How has running impacted your health?

** I am a fitness junkie. Running is obviously a big part of that. It not only keeps me in great shape, it keeps my brain healthy and, with having MS, that is important to me. 

Did you ever imagine yourself as a marathon runner?

** No, but I had a good friend tell me “well now you’ve done a half you’ll do a full”. I totally laughed at that comment! 

Now I’ve run 7 of them and am registered for 8 and 9!!

Describe what it was like to finish your first marathon.

**Amazing. Tiring. Proud of what I had done...

 What are you proudest of accomplishing - running or otherwise - in recent years?

** I think I’m most proud of the fact that even though I have MS I don’t let it stop me, I don’t let it define me, I set goals and I meet them. I like to think I inspire people (with or without MS) to set a goal and achieve it. 

Not only in running. I’m a fighter, literally a fighter. I’m a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I started that sport about 12 years ago when there were not many women training at all. Now it’s become more mainstream and I feel like I wish I had me back then to show me the way! I love passing on my knowledge of the sport to people at my academy!

Why is it so important for you to give back through your running?  How did you get involved in your charity?

** I have used three of my marathons to raise money for the MS Society. To date, I’ve raised over $18,000.00. They’re my people-I have to help...

How important has the support of other women been to your running journey?

** Oh my goodness - I run with a large running group, and I’m actually a pace coach. My team of ladies are called the Battle Buddies! All the miles we run together, all the early starts, all the hills, all the laughs, there is NO WAY I could have done all this training without them! 

What words of wisdom would you pass on to others based on your life experience?

“Be afraid, and do it anyway” and  “I’m only jealous of another woman when her cup of coffee is larger than mine.”

Anything else you would like people to know?

** I’m just a regular person. I work full time, I’m married with 2 grown kids and a 2-year old granddaughter. I don’t have any special mojo that others don’t have, I’m a normal person.

***

Sara said the TuckTop™ was "hands down amazing" for her Disney run.  She used the pockets to secure her cell phone, identification, room key, money, and snacks (it's all there in the photos) - and was impressed at how much she could "stuff" without it looking or feeling bulky.  She loved that nothing shifted while she was running. Even if you are not a runner, Sara says the TuckTop™  is "100% useful" for every day too. Thanks Sara!