Lindsay Huneycutt: Running her way to RADness
In Lindsay’s own words, her running history and how Color Me Rad helped her get her groove back!
I ran all throughout high school and it’s what I felt defined me as being a unique and confident young woman. Even though I never ran more than 3 miles at a time, it made me feel good to be considered a “runner”. After I graduated high school things quickly changed for me. I became somewhat of a “grown up”, and unfortunately running was the first thing to go, followed by my self-confidence. It took me several years to realize what I had lost just by giving up one simple thing I could do for myself on a daily basis. That’s when I decided to sign up for my first race EVER! Color Me Rad 5K in Virginia Beach, VA. It looked like a lot of fun! All kinds of crazy people, all gathered in one place just to have a good time (and possibly get a little thinner doing it)! Being that it’s designed to be non-competitive, just come as you are and finish when you can kind of race, it took a lot of pressure off and it looked like something I could do. I quickly mentioned it to a few of the girls at work and we ran our first 5K ever that day.
A year later here I am, and those RAD memories of Color Me Rad were just too irresistible to pass up! So once again, I will be racing with the Virginia Beach crew. But this time, something about a 5K just doesn’t feel like enough for me. Color Me Rad will always be my “first love”, and I will probably always participate in this race every year for as long as I have two legs that work. YES people, it was that much FUN!! But, I don’t want another year to pass me by before I decide to lace up my shoes and get serious about running. So this year I have decided to go from a 5K to a whopping HALF-MARATHON!!! Yes, that’s right. Some will think I’m crazy. To others it’s nothing but small potatoes:) I don’t care if I have to army crawl myself through the finish line, I’M GONNA DO IT! It’s never been about speed for me, I do it for much more than that. So, as I prepare for the Color Me Rad 5K, and train for my first Half-Marathon in June, I’ve persistently started winning back my self-confidence and can appreciate the fact that Running is truly something that is meant to be apart of who I am. I may not ever win the race, but I will always have the strength, confidence, and pure love of life that comes along with it. That’s all the “win” I need, and that’s what Color Me Rad did for me!
*Shorty after contacting Lindsay and hearing all about her half marathon plans, she found out she is pregnant with her second child (CONGRATS!), so while her half-marathon plans are on hold, her RAD plans are here for another year with baby bump included!
I can almost relate to her story. I have never been a runner; however I have been going to the gym at the YMCA every day since 5/23/12. In January a friend of mine asked me to do the color me rad with her this May in Va Beach. My response to her was I can run on a treadmill but don’t think I can run on pavement. She told me if she can do it I can do it (keep in mind she does not go to the gym), so I then said ok that’s a challenge I’m in. As soon as she formed the team I immediately joined the team and am excited about running my first ever 5K.
Kathy you got this! If you can treadmill run you can definitely fun run!
Keep it up! The same thing happened to me! I graduated from 5k’s to 10k’s and set my sight on a half marathon and found out I was prego!!! Our first son was a blessing and worth the wait. As soon as I am cleared by my Dr. I will be training for that 13.1!!! Goos Luck!
NICE! WE can’t wait to have you back!
Personally I think you should remove the Zoloft comment from this otherwise lovely website. Ballons animals are cool though. The Zoloft comment can be offensive to many people, and in more ways than one. I’m going to leave it at that.
Sincerely,
Bryan
Bryan that is good feedback and we’re always looking for that. Our goal is never to offend so it’s good to know.
COLOR ME RAD is very dear to my heart,too. Last year (2012), I signed up for the Color Me Rad 5k at the Fontana Raceway..and my life has changed forever!!! I had decided I wanted to get back into shape and healthy after having 4 kids (and 5 miscarriages) in 6 1/2 years…I didn’t know where to start, so I started with COLOR ME RAD. Not only did I have a total blast, but I also got a flyer for Inland Empire Boot Camp in my goodie bag. I signed up for the free 4 weeks and have been going ever since! I was a size 20 in October 2012…now I am down almost 30lbs and am wearing sizes 12 and 14 (depending on brand of clothes). Not only that, I have gotten healthy and am bringing my entire family on my journey to health. I couldn’t wait to signup this year…I am having my hubby and all 4 kids do the 5k with me. This is now going to be a family tradition!!! Thanks, COLOR ME RAD, for being a starting block for this woman’s life change. May the Lord bless you for it!