Runner’s World+ Member: Tracy Heady
Tracy 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.
Since I started running I have found my people and my place in this world. I will never be the fastest runner out there. In fact, I’m usually in the bottom quarter of the field. I will never be the one who runs marathons and/or ultras. I’ve done a couple of half marathons, but they were hard and not necessary for my running happiness. But I have found that it doesn’t matter how fast or how far I run. I’m a runner. My favorite running moment happened early in my running journey. There I was, an older, overweight woman, running around my favorite paved path, when a young twenty-something ran by me in shorts and no shirt, totally in shape and fast as can be. As he passed me, he turned around, running backward for just a moment, long enough to reach out a hand and fist bump me. Then he turned around and was gone, continuing his run. I’m sure it was nothing to him and he forgot about me the minute he ran away, but I will never forget him. It was the first time I felt accepted, like it was okay that I was overweight and slow, like he respected me for getting out there and running, like I was his equal. That’s the moment when I first felt like a runner and that moment changed everything.
I started running using the Run for God Couch to 5K training program and had no running knowledge at all. Runners seemed like a whole other species with their own language. I joined RW+ so that I could learn about my new passion and hear from other runners.
In the summer I do most of my runs on a treadmill in my living room, but as soon as the temperature drops you can find me at Horseshoe Lake in Randolph, NJ. At Horseshoe I have the option of running on the paved path or the trail. I love seeing all the other runners and families also out enjoying the day. What I love most is that this is where I really learned what it means to have running besties. Amber, Christine, and I would meet at Horseshoe Lake at least once a week when they began their own couch to 5K training program, of which I was one of the assistant coaches. They have now surpassed my regular running distances and pace, so we don’t run together as much anymore, but we still meet at Horseshoe Lake just to have lunch and enjoy each other’s company. I love these ladies and the memory of those runs still brings a smile to my face.
I am obsessed with all things running. If I have one of something, I have a dozen different versions of it. I want to try everything to find what I like the best. However, I have been unable to find any waist belt or pack that I can wear that doesn’t cause rashes, sores, or cramps while running and I’ve tried more than I’ll admit to husband—haha. I think it’s because of my extreme weight loss (145 pounds so far) and all the extra skin around my middle. Because of this I wear only shorts or leggings with pockets on the outside of the thighs. I keep my phone in the right pocket and one of the Flip Belt water bottles in the left pocket. That means the leggings need to be strong enough to hold the weight of these things without falling down. The best ones I’ve found are Fabletics. I love my Fabletics shorts and leggings. My new favorite shirt to wear on daily runs is the Zyia Copper Charged Tank. However, I only wear Run for God shirts when running in a race. Side note: I have every race shirt I’ve ever gotten, but they’ve never been worn. Someday I want to have a quilt made out of them.
A fun fact about myself:
1. I love to run in the rain. The more rain, the better. There have been days where I’ve been lazy or just can’t find the motivation to run. Then it starts to rain and I can’t help but to lace up and go for a run. It’s like the rain washes away all the stresses of life. I don’t think about pace or distance or anything else when it’s raining. I just enjoy the experience.
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2. I have two running tattoos. They are the logos of the two running organizations that changed my life: Run for God and Charge Running.
3. My running story was featured on the Run for God Run Club podcast. If interested you can find it at your favorite place to listen to podcasts. Just search Run for God Run Club, Episode 18, I Quit Run for God.
I hate to run. No joke. I really don’t like it. But I love that I can run. And I love what running has brought me: friends, freedom, and a mission field that I thought was off limits to me. Running gives me a chance to say “look what God can do” both in action and word. I went from being almost crippled by my weight of over 330 pounds, to running between 60 and 120 miles a month. If I quit now, I will soon be back to where I started. And when I started I was desperately wishing to be where I am now.
Acts 20:24 in the Bible perfectly explains my running goal. It says:
“...my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
I want to continue running (finish the race), while sharing with others what God has done in my life. If He can turn me into a runner, he can do anything!
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