WOMEN WHO INSPIRE
Left: A run in
Maui, Hawaii
has so far, been
one of the most
exciting and fun
for Lindsey.
Below: The Fleet
Feet Sports team
takes a “shoes in”
photo before a
recent race.
The Marathon
Maniacs T-shirt
is a “badge
of honor” for
runners, only
awarded to those
who have met
certain criterion
for miles and
marathons run.
She has run in many Midwest locations, in Memphis, Duluth,
Minnesota, and a full marathon in Maui in January, which was one of
her best destination runs so far.
In December, she ran in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon that takes
the runners through what Lindsey said is “the amazing St. Jude campus.”
Now Lindsey is paying it forward, training runners who join the
Fleet Feet team and are in the same position she was not so long ago.
“My coach made the difference for me, and I want to do that for
other people,” she said.
In addition to giving her an activity she truly enjoys, Lindsey said she
got into the best shape of her life in 2012.
“I have always had a weight problem – all of my life,” she said. “I got
into really great shape, and then when I started running so much, my
metabolism was up, I needed to eat more, and I started gaining weight
back.”
Now 33, she’s working with a personal trainer and has started eating
better again.
“Running is good for your health, but you have to realize that you are
hungrier,” she said. “We like to say, ‘we run, so we can eat.’”
Her healthier way of eating includes lots of protein, vegetables and
fruits.
“It’s amazing how different I feel when I’m eating better,” Lindsey
said. “I’ve always heard, ‘food is your fuel,’ and I believe it now. It’s
garbage in, garbage out. When I’m eating bad food, I have a bad run.
When I’m eating healthy, it’s so much better.”
Not only has running become a way to stay fit, and a pleasant pastime
in and of itself, Lindsey said it’s become her social time. She runs four
or five days a week – always with a fellow runner or two - in parks all
over St. Louis.
At Fleet Feet, she said the range of runners includes anybody and
everybody – of all fitness levels and all ages, men and women, who come
for the first time.
There are many trials for a woman ultra runner, and sacrifices are
many, but Lindsey thinks they are worth it. Though fashion is one area
she won’t make sacrifices.
“For serious runners, we don’t care what the shoes look like as long
as they feel good. Believe me, that’s all that matters,” Lindsey said.
SAVVY I SOPHISTICATED I SASSY 107