Runner’s World+ Member: Susan Hurley
Susan is a Runner’s World+ member. Join her and thousands of others chasing their goals with day-by-day training plans, expert advice from editors and coaches, and unlimited digital access. We regularly feature members online and in print!
I have the opportunity to work with thousands of charity runners over the last 12 years through my own business CharityTeams.com. CharityTeams is a full management service providing support to small nonprofits who have the opportunity to raise funds through bibs in sold out races such as Boston Marathon, NYC Marathon and Marine Corps Marathon. Running has brought me thousands of friends all over the world with the dream of running one of these races. It has also given me a strong network and the ability to help others in need through the charity partners I am fortunate enough to work with. I work with many nonprofits with a variety of missions and most are small non profits. Athletic fundraising opportunities help jumpstart their charities driving revenue while also building brand awareness.
It’s amazing to see a first time marathon runner take on the training of Boston Marathon all winter and raise funds in order to earn their spot at the starting line. I have deemed these charity runners–the OverQualified. I have learned so much about the human spirit through working with runners and being a runner myself. Running brings out the best of people. Running has inspired me to be more entrepreneurial and create a business that has been not only successful, but very meaningful and a lot of fun.
I joined Runner’s World+ to read about other runners, what they do, and how they manage their training. I joined RW+ to learn as I personally grow as a runner and as a business owner in this sport. I want to stay on top of things! Runner’s World provides me with not only training information but trends or changes in the industry.
I am motivated to run because I have been doing it my whole life since I missed the bus almost every day going to school. I’m motivated by the feeling I get. It’s like a heartbeat– involuntary. Something my body needs to thrive and live fully. I just do it. I don’t have to think about it. Running happens. I’m also motivated by all those people who don’t or who can’t run. I want to use my body to the best of its ability and never take it for granted and I want to continually set an example that health is wealth!
I love running along the Charles River in Boston on the Esplanade. The Esplanade is one of the most beautiful places to run. Boston is in my heart and I love my city so much. Not to mention, there are always so many runners on it too!
I’m so obsessed with the Charge Running app. I listen to it all the time. I love the live track workouts and the live 5K club races on Saturdays. Live virtual runs are so much fun because it expands my community of running friends! It’s so cool to run with people all over the world in real time and get to know others through the app and the Charge Running Club on Facebook.
A former cheerleader for the New England Patriots in my younger days, this carries over on the course. I find myself running and cheering everyone on—this especially for those first time charity runners who I have the opportunity to work with. I have even carried my pom poms during the 116 laps around Gillette Stadium Marathon in 2018. I will always be a cheerleader at heart!
My goal is to stay healthy and to really focus on staying out there and running pain free! I see way to many runners who have been running their whole lives with lots of knee and hip issues. I don’t want to be one of those and I don’t ever want to stop running. My goal is that I want to run the Boston Marathon at age 100. I want to be the female version of my idol–Johnny Kelley. I work on my recovery as much as I do on my running. Focusing on recovery as part of my training has always kept me healthy.
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