So we talked with the team from the
Kentucky Derby Festival last week about
this year's festival. And you know,
one of the bigger festival events,
one of the more participating
events is the mini marathon.
So many of the people who
participate in that event they
don't consider themselves runners.
You know, they're they're doing it for
personal accomplishment and for purpose.
If the mini or one of the
many spring races maybe,
or one of your big goals this year,
the level running company says
now is definitely the time to
start and the running community
is excited to welcome you.
So I've got Michael Clemons here
from local running company.
If you don't recognize him by name,
you might recognize his silhouette running
through your neighborhood because Michael
you ran what 3000 miles last year.
A lot of that through different
neighborhoods around Louisville.
I think I've definitely made my
way through pretty much every
city street around Louisville,
so I will definitely dug myself the
unofficial mayor of Louisville running.
Hey I love self appointed titles
and I think it fits your from
Louisville running company.
Obviously the founder of that talk
a little bit about what that is for
people who might be unfamiliar. Yeah,
so we'll be running.
Company was started in December of
2019 as a small business to support
local races here in Louisville,
but also throughout the country over the
past ten years I've had experiences working.
Big events such as the Marathon,
Olympic Trials, the New York City Marathon,
the Chicago Marathon,
all the way down to a lot of small local
5K's here in the Louisville community
and in 2019 decided to start Louisville,
running company to be a race management
and a race support company for the
people of Louisville to support
runners of all backgrounds of all
abilities to make sure that our city
stays active and does what we can.
To support everybody along
their active running journey.
And that's a big part about of
why I wanted to talk to you today.
You said runners of all abilities and
and I know how important inclusion is.
And so I was thinking, you know,
we've got all these spring races coming up.
The one that really stands out to
me is the Kentucky Derby Festival
Half Marathon because I know so
many people run that who don't
consider themselves runners.
They're running for a reason,
running for a purpose.
So I want to dive in with you.
For those people who don't
consider themselves to be.
Runners and they want to participate
in some of these spring races that
are just really fun to be part of.
What can those people start doing
right now to get themselves a position
to participate in those races?
So first it always amazes me when
I'm talking to people out in the
local community and they're like,
well, I'm not a runner.
I've only done a couple 5K's or a half
marathon and I want to just scream at them.
You're a runner. You are a runner.
You can do this.
It doesn't matter how often you run,
how far you run, how fast you run,
you can be a Walker.
You are a runner though.
You are a member of the
Louisville running community.
Beyond that, I would say.
Let's start with attainable goals.
Don't set out a goal right
away to run a marathon.
Start with a mile, then maybe after
a week you move up to two miles,
and then you work your way up from there.
Maybe you start where
you're walking part of it,
and then you're running part of it.
Maybe you start where you're jogging.
A lot of it along the way.
You don't have to start with huge goals,
work your way up to those goals and
another really important thing is to.
Have accountability.
Have people in your life that
are supporting you along the way.
Whether that's people you can train with.
We have a lot of amazing
running groups in Louisville,
the Louisville running company
website louisvillerunningcompany.com
has a lot of different running
groups when they meet where
they meet free opportunities.
You also have opportunities
with local running stores to get
involved with a running group,
so you have other people to
hold you accountable.
I can vouch for the advice.
That Michael just gave,
I ran my first half marathon not too
long ago and this is exactly the
conversation that you and I had last year.
Start with a mile walking if you have to,
and then run part of it and my one mile
became two and then my 2 miles became three.
I remember our conversation was like hey 3
miles happen a lot easier than I expected
it to happen and and then lo and behold,
a couple months later it was a half marathon.
So so you do know what you're talking about?
You mentioned your your website.
I want to make sure people know.
About ways where they can learn
more and and get more information
if they do want to, you know,
put themselves in a position to
participate in some of these races.
So you mentioned local running company,
your website I.
I know there's several different
running groups out there,
but you linked to those on your website
to all of those different running
groups that are in are the free
ones that are in our community.
That's another big thing that I really
want to emphasize is you don't have to
spend a ton of money to be a runner.
I think that's a great thing about our sport.
It is inclusive of. Everybody
thanks so much for your expertise.
Will make sure people get out and
follow your website and and also I'll
also your social media. Thanks man.
Thanks Eric. Look forward to seeing
everybody out at the races this spring.