Indy Runners & Walkers Blog

Confessions of a “Never-Marathoner”

If you’ve spent any time at all around Indy Runners & Walkers, you’ve probably met Mark Nickerson: board secretary, consummate planner, enthusiastic cheer-squad member, smartphone photographer extraordinaire, and until very recently… a proud “never-marathoner.” His words, not mine.

But last fall, something changed.

On a cool October morning last year, Mark crushed a 20-mile Run the Monon training run — the kind of run that normally triggered his “never again” reflex — and instead of shutting the door on 26.2, he cracked it wide open.

Three weeks out from the 2024 Monumental, he made a bold move: he upgraded his race registration from the half to the full.

“I went into the full with a ‘why not’ attitude,” Mark told me. “My goals were, in order: don’t die, don’t require an ambulance, pretend that I don’t have a massive head cold, pretend that I had enough training mileage in the books, and just cross the finish line.”

I sat down with Mark recently for a brief interview.

What first motivated you to run your very first marathon?

I have been vocal about being a “never-marathoner” for many years. (Just ask Sam [Losier] and Tracy [Snider].) The half marathon distance seemed like my sweet spot, so I committed to that distance. That didn’t make it an easy race distance. It still required training and preparation.

My half marathon training method had been to follow the advanced marathon plan anyway. I wanted to do more than just enough to prepare for the half, so that my confidence was high, and my body felt very prepared. This means that over the last few years, I was excited to do the 20-miler option in our Run The Monon event. I had never run that far, and in the first few years I swore I would never do it again.

But 2024 was different. I finished the 20 miles strongly enough that I started rethinking my reluctance to do a full marathon. With only three weeks until the Monumental, I paid the difference to upgrade from the half to the full. The timing was awkward in one way and liberating in another. Our plans were preparing us for the taper, but I knew that I needed more mileage. Yet I was able to go into the full with a ‘why not’ attitude. This meant that my goals were, in order, don’t die, don’t require an ambulance, pretend that I don’t have a massive head cold, pretend that I had enough training mileage in the books, and just cross the finish line.

What do you wish you had known before training for your first 26.2?

Per the answer above, I wish that I had known how important the weekly total mileage in the plans were. Because I was “over-achieving” by following the marathon plan, which I was not going to actually cash in, I did not do all of the runs in the plan. Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays were baked into my training cycle. But the “alone time” Sundays and Wednesdays were “maybes” for me.

From left: **Zed** (from the 1974 sci-fi film *Zardoz*) and **Tigger** (from Disney’s *Winnie-the-Pooh*) talk race day strategy.

Can you describe a memorable Monumental Marathon experience?

There are three significant memories for me.

First: I could not believe how many friends and family members were out cheering us all on. That was so powerful.

Second: When I was reaching the Burdsal [Parkway] section of the course, I was questioning every single life decision. This section is in a part of town where there are fewer spectators. Then I saw Olga [Warner]! We locked eyes and she knew that I was in a bad place. She started running with me, and managed to get me re-focused. So huge; so desperately needed.

Third: Part of what kept me pushing through those final miles was knowing that I would see the Indy Runners and Walkers Cheer Zone before getting to the finish line. The thought that someone I knew might be standing there waiting for friends and fellow club members to pass by kept me motivated – and got me to dig deep and find a faster pace. As I turned onto New York [St.], before I was near the actual Cheer Zone, there was D’Lisa [Patterson]! She was so fired up – for me!! I’ll never forget these moments.

What’s one training mistake you made early on that you’ve since learned from?

I have learned the value and utility of a hydration and nutrition plan. As I have learned more, and tested gels and timing, I have continued to make tweaks to this plan. For example, after learning both my sweat rate and my sodium loss rate, I made tactical adjustments to my plan. I add a sodium supplement to the fluids in my 1.5 liter fluids bladder (which for me includes scoops of Tailwind).

During a race, a person can execute based upon time or distance. My choice has been distance. This means knowing the total grams of carbs needed every four miles. I’ve also learned the value of a hydration vest to carry my fluids and gels. Well worth it.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’d offer to someone running their first marathon at Monumental this year?

I think that my advice would be to allow yourself to “geek out” on the available resources for runners. In my case, I subscribe to Runners World. I get the magazine, but I browse the emails. Articles may catch my interest (Strong glutes! Rest days! Strength training! Weekly mileage! Increase your cadence! etc.), and I read about them, as they pertain to me and my own journey. And because technology is nosey, I end up with related materials in my Instagram feed, so I indulge a bit more with the different sources of info on the topic of the moment.

Okay, last question. What has running marathons taught you about yourself?

That I can do a hard thing.

Mark’s story is a reminder that none of us really wake up one morning magically “ready” for a marathon or half marathon. We chip away at doubt, we learn to fuel and hydrate and curse Burdsal Parkway’s broken pavement like everyone else. And then one day we look up and realize we’re doing the thing we once swore we’d never do. The best part? We don’t do it alone. We do it with Olga, D’Lisa, Tracy, Sam, Paul, and any number of Brians and Andrews, yelling like we’re leading the Olympic Trials, with friends lining the streets just to hand us belief when ours is running low.

As we roll toward the 2025 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon on November 8, here’s hoping Mark’s “why not?” attitude catches on. Maybe this is your year to upgrade, to take a chance on yourself, to discover that you too can do a hard thing. And if you’re out there cheering instead, remember you’re part of someone else’s finish-line story. Either way, lace up — the next chapter starts the moment you say yes.

Marathoning in the Midwest

I ran my first marathon in October 2015. It no longer exists.

That’s not entirely true. It does exist, but it’s been changed from what they now call a “full” marathon (the good ol’ 26.2) to a half marathon—just 13.1 miles, which, to be fair, is still plenty of pain for most people.

That’s right. Marathons are so popular right now in the United States that people will run one halfway just to say they ran a (quiet part) half (loud part) MARATHON.¹

It hasn’t always been this way, of course. In the early 1970s, you could just sort of show up the morning of Boston Marathon and run it. Actually, a lot of people did just that. There were qualifying times, even in those early days, but there was also a lot of banditry, or people running the race without officially signing up or paying a registration fee. It was the height of the counterculture movement and people back then were a lot less uptight about the rules. It was easier to allow the bandits to run than it was to try to catch them all.

Fast forward to 2025. These days you can’t even sniff the fresh cut grass at the starting line in Hopkinton without a blazing fast time or a charity bib. Currently, to qualify for the 2026 race as a 45 year old man, the time is 3 hours and 15 minutes. But here’s the sneaky and not altogether fair part: it’s not necessarily enough just to run a marathon faster than the qualifying time. Boston also employs “cut offs,” which is basically like when restaurants charge $18 for a burger but neglect to tell you that fries aren’t included. Then, there’s tax and tip and something called a “cost of living/service fee,” and so pretty soon an $18 burger is really closer to $30 by the time you’re out the door.

Same basic principle here. And the common cause is simply that marathons have become too popular. There are too many people running them. So the good folks at the Boston Athletic Association—and the heads of the other so-called “marathon majors”² around the world—had to improvise. Cut-offs or “buffers,” as they’re also known, allow the organizers to charge a little extra for fries and force you at gunpoint to give more gratuity. (So to speak.)

In 2025, the cut off time for Boston was 6 minutes and 51 seconds, which would mean that for me to be guaranteed a spot on the course next year, I would have to run a marathon in more like 3 hours and 8 minutes, which is (a) highly unlikely, and (b) also assumes that the cut offs for 2026 will stay about the same. (My marathon PR is 3:33. Not too shabby, but nowhere near a BQ³.)

Anyway, enough about cut offs.

As I was saying, my first marathon was called the Indianapolis Marathon, and they ended it the year after I ran it. Probably because of my crappy time.

Just kidding. Here’s the real story.

In 2008, the inaugural Indianapolis Monumental Marathon and Half Marathon was held for the first time, bringing together a small but spirited community of runners who would go on to form the heart of what became Beyond Monumental. Among them was Judy Hasselkus, a self-described “accidental athlete” who finished her first half marathon that year in 2:21:21 and discovered a lifelong affection for the event. Others, like Ted Maple and Indy Runners & Walkers’ own Brian Schuetter, found similar inspiration—Maple returning to running and eventually sharing the race with his son, Schuetter treating it as both a personal challenge and a kind of “family reunion” for the local running community.

Saturday, October 17, 2015 saw the final staging of the old Indianapolis Marathon at Fort Benjamin Harrison—that was my first marathon. I loved the marathon course at Fort Ben. Great swaths of the course took runners nearly out into the corn fields of northeast Indianapolis, just past the Lawrence city limits. There were portions of miles 18-22 where I don’t think I even saw another human being. Beautiful course, and a bit lonely, too. (Then again, marathons are always kind of lonely, especially after Mile 20.)

The fall of 2015 marked the last year with two separate full marathons held in Indianapolis; starting in 2016, the Indy running scene consolidated when the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon acquired the Indianapolis Marathon, turning the old Indianapolis Marathon into a half marathon, now officially called the Indianapolis Half Marathon at Fort Ben. Monumental became the city’s single 26.2-mile race, while the Fort Ben event shifted to a half-marathon and 5K and has stayed that way since. The move was designed to elevate the Monumental’s national profile—it’s already ranked among the top 25 U.S. marathons and draws an estimated $3 million economic impact each year. Both races continue their strong community ties: the Indianapolis Marathon raised more than $600,000 for nonprofits, while the Monumental has contributed over $675,000 toward education and youth fitness.

I know, it’s confusing. And we haven’t even talked about the Indy Mini-Marathon yet, a half marathon run each year on the first Saturday in May under the banner of the 500 Festival.

Over the years, the Monumental has grown from a scrappy hometown race into a world-class event, all while maintaining its warmth, its focus on community and education, and its deeply personal meaning for those who’ve been there since the beginning. For these runners, it’s not simply another marathon among others. Rather, it’s tradition, family, and homecoming rolled into 26.2 miles.

As part of the run up to this fall marathon season, I reached out to a few Indy Runners board members for their sage advice on training for and running the full 26.2 miles.

Here’s an excerpt from an interview with Indy Runners Vice President Tara Cassidy.

What’s one training mistake you made early on that you’ve since learned from?

One of the biggest training mistakes I made early on was trying to do it all alone. I didn’t anticipate how tough some weeks would be, and I quickly realized how much I needed the encouragement and accountability of running partners. Finding the IRW [Indy Runners & Walkers] community has truly changed my life. Having a support crew that shows up for you—on the road, the trail, or even beyond running—has been invaluable. I wish I had found them sooner, but I’m deeply grateful to have them now. Running with others, sharing the struggle, and pushing through the trenches together makes all the difference when training gets tough.

How do you handle the mental and physical challenges of long runs?

The best piece of advice I’d give to someone running their first marathon at Monumental is to truly enjoy the journey. Embrace the training, because that’s where you’ll discover the most about yourself—your grit, your discipline, and your resilience. Stay consistent, especially with your long runs, because they are the foundation of your race-day confidence. And don’t overlook nutrition: practice with gels and hydration strategies ahead of time so there are no surprises. Most importantly, have fun and soak it all in—the miles, the crowd, the energy. It’s an experience you’ll carry with you long after the finish line.

What has running marathons taught you about yourself?

Marathons have shown me that I am capable of far more than I ever imagined. Training requires 12–20 weeks of relentless discipline, consistency, and sacrifice. Crossing the finish line is more than a physical accomplishment—it’s proof that perseverance pays off. Marathons have empowered me to keep showing up, even when the path is tough, and to trust that with resilience and a positive mindset, you will always find your way to the other side.

Longtime Indy Runners board member and accomplished marathoner Brian Cake, who qualified for Boston at the 2023 Monumental Marathon, had this to say about the art (and science) of marathoning:

What’s the single best piece of advice you’d offer to someone running their first marathon at Monumental this year?

Simulate aspects of the pre-race and the race itself during training. Other than running 26.2 miles, try to avoid doing anything new in the few days before and day of the race.

Here are some example things to consider:

Wear the shoes you plan to wear during the race during at least one long run (preferably 15+ miles). You want to lessen the chance of getting a blister at mile 20.
Try to get a training run in every type of weather: hot, humid, cold, rainy, windy, etc. Test different clothing combinations. Consider keeping a log of what clothes worked for you during different conditions.
Test your pre-race nutrition before at least one training run. Mexican food might sound good the day before a race but [will] leave your stomach turning the next morning. You want to know that in advance. I personally prefer a dinner before the race centered on white pasta or rice with some spaghetti sauce, chicken, a modest amount of vegetables, and some sort of bread. Limit your fiber intake to lessen the chance of stomach issues. The morning of the training run, get up early and eat whatever you plan on having race morning.
Test your in-race nutrition on long training runs. You want to find things your stomach can handle: gels, sports drinks, candy, … Try different flavors because you never know what will sound best late in a race.
Do some race pace miles in training. If you’re unsure how fast they should be, choose a pace that feels a little slow. Your adrenaline on race day will likely cause you to start faster than expected.

How do you handle the mental and physical challenges of long runs?

Be intentional with your training plan. Increase the distances of your long runs at a reasonable rate – perhaps 1-2 miles per week. The increase is always manageable, and your body gets used to it. A two to three week training taper will help your body recover before the longer race-day increase, e.g., 6.2 miles if your longest training run was 20 miles.

Maybe that’s what keeps me running—the weird, contradictory intimacy of the sport. You’re surrounded by thousands of people, yet you spend most of the time talking to yourself. You go inward to move forward. Somewhere around mile 22, when the roar of the crowd fades and the lower half of your body has basically stopped working, you meet yourself in a way you can’t fake. No algorithm, no app, no smart trainer can do that for you.

And yet, it’s also not a solitary pursuit. Running has its own ecology: training partners, pacers, spectators, volunteers, the friend who texts you “Good luck!” the night before the race. I think that’s why I keep coming back to the Monumental—it captures both the solitude and the solidarity of running. You can run alone, but you can’t do it without others.

Marathoning is an act of optimism disguised as punishment. Nobody signs up for a marathon because it’s convenient. You sign up because you believe that, in some small but meaningful way, the work matters—that persistence still counts for something in a world obsessed with shortcuts. Maybe that’s why the post-pandemic resurgence of marathon running feels so significant: people are running toward connection again, toward endurance, toward life.

I probably won’t ever qualify for Boston, at least not until I’m in my 90s. But by then, there will be AI bots competing and human-machine hybrids and I just don’t know how I feel about racing against non-human hybrids. And that’s fine. I’ve found my own Boston right here—flat, friendly, unpretentious, and full of people who will hand you a cup of Gatorade like it’s the Eucharist. Every November, the Monumental reminds me why I run: to remember that the body can still do hard things, that community still exists, and that some kinds of exhaustion—earned, honest exhaustion—can feel an awful lot like joy.

So if you’re standing downtown on Washington Street on Saturday, November 8, cowbell in hand, or if you’re out there on the course, lungs burning, legs screaming, don’t forget to look around. We’re all part of the same long, slow, sweaty story.

And that’s pretty monumental.

I’d really love to include as many voices as possible in this series—veterans, first-timers, half-marathoners, Boston qualifiers, and everyone in between. Your experiences are what make our local running community special, and your stories might be exactly what someone else needs to hear at mile 22. So take a few minutes to reflect and write in with your thoughts. Whether it’s a hard-earned lesson, a favorite Monumental memory, or the reason you lace up your shoes in the first place, I want to hear it. Send your responses my way (no need to be formal), and let’s celebrate the miles and the meaning together.

Email me at paulcook@yahoo.com. And, if you enjoyed what you read here, sign up for my newsletter, The Highlight Zone, where I write about politics, higher education, and distance running in the Midwest and elsewhere.

NOTES

1. After the long, wheezing hangover of COVID-era cancellations, 2024 was the year the marathon world finally got its pulse back. Participation actually surpassed pre-pandemic (2019) levels, which is a polite way of saying that a lot of people decided, post-global-crisis, the best way to celebrate being alive was to pay $250 to suffer publicly for 26.2 miles. U.S. marathons saw a 5% bump, topping 432,562 finishers, which suggests not only recovery but a kind of existential resurgence: people running not from something, but for something. True, the numbers still trail the 2014 all-time peak—but with New York and London both setting finisher records in 2024, the pulse of marathoning is coming back.

2. The so-called Marathon Majors—that hallowed pantheon of pavement punishment—consist of Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City, with Tokyo added in 2013 to internationalize the suffering and, as of 2025, Sydney joining the club, presumably to give runners one more reason to question their life choices while sweating through a southern hemisphere spring. Finish all six of the originals and you get the “Six Star Medal,” a talismanic piece of hardware that announces, in effect, I have voluntarily spent thousands of dollars and most of my cartilage chasing this very shiny circle.

3. BQ = Boston Qualifier.

2024 Erika Wells Memorial Scholarship Winner – Ian Kolbus

Ian Kolbus, Bishop Chatard High School – Purdue University

We are pleased to introduce our 2024 Erika Wells Memorial Scholarship winners, who each received a $1000 scholarship towards their college education. Please enjoy reading their personal essays, in which they discuss how running has made a positive impact on their lives.
Erika Wells was a beloved member of the Indy Runners who tragically passed away in October 2016. Her dedication to service, personal growth, social engagement, and an overall use of running as part of a healthy lifestyle and a way to help support the community were unparalleled. We believe these winners each exemplify these characteristics as well.
We are thankful that these young people were willing to share their unique stories of how running has influenced their lives. We hope that they will continue to make running a cornerstone of their life.

“Ever since I was in second grade at Christ the King, I was a runner. I showed up to every practice, and had a natural talent for the sport. I placed at every meet I was in, and only experienced the joys of the sport and never the pain of missing a PR. However, in 5th grade, I lost the love for it due to lack of success and quit in pursuit of other sports. I tried to fill the absence of running with football, basketball, and golf, but nothing ever gave me the same satisfaction as running. The summer of my 7th grade year, I came back to running, but this time for the people who I was running with. I could run the fastest 3k time, but if I was not actively enjoying the people I was with, what’s the point? That season was the most fun I had ever had running. Me and two other boys pushed ourselves every day, running countless extra miles and having the most hilarious conversations about quite possibly anything. With this new found joy, I also found success in the following two years, culminating with a top 15 finish at the Middle School State XC Championship Meet. This mindset continued on with me in high school as I joined the Bishop Chatard Cross Country team and found my place. Immediately I found a guy, Davis, on the team who was my same pace and we pushed each other every day. When one of us would feel like stopping, the other would push them as hard as they could, finishing a run with as little stops as possible. Running allowed me to find my new “family,” as me and 5 others nicknamed ourselves the “Going, Going, Goners,” spending every single weekend making pasta in each other’s kitchens, going to Target after workouts, and McDonald dinners after meets. Every 5:30 AM wake up for practice was with excitement to go out and push myself as hard as I possibly could with people who legitimately cared about my well being rather than how fast I could run a 5K. The following season, my running buddy Davis and I worked together day in and day out, pushing ourselves to the brink of exhaustion, but it all paid off with a trip to the IHSAA Track Championships, and making it back the following season placing 13th in the 4×800 relay. Without the people I formed relationships with, running would have a completely different meaning to me, but the support group running gives me has allowed me to discover who I am. I know I am never going through something alone because I know the people around me will suffer through a 10 mile long run on Pennsylvania and 86th just so we can look at houses or run in Oxbow to look at a river. Running has helped make me who I am today, and I wouldn’t change that for anything.”

2024 Erika Wells Memorial Scholarship Winner – Bailee Kennedy

Bailee Kennedy, Decatur Central High School – Franklin College

“It was a warm day in the early fall, the Indianapolis skyline viewed clearly from where parents gathered around the finish line. People were screaming out times and chanting, “Keep it up!”, “You’re almost there!”, “Pick up your legs!” And then, out of nowhere, came the bright red face of my older sister, her french braids loose and messy. I couldn’t help but think to myself, “Wow… This sport looks intense, I’ve got to try this!” I was only eleven at the time, and I was incredibly shy and clumsy; I had been through three different sports already, but my sister was my top role model. She chose running over softball, something she was so talented at, so, despite being the most unsure and unathletic kid in my grade, I couldn’t stop myself from taking on this challenge when entering middle school.That summer I went to cross-country camp with my sister, and to nobody’s surprise, I wasn’t a natural like my sister. In fact, the first time I ran 3 miles, she had to push me to the finish line. Even then I knew I wanted to get better, maybe even beat my sister’s PR one day. When I finally entered high school, I said goodbye to 3k’s and hello to the most exhausting, time-consuming practices of my life. This transition was difficult, and my coaches and the upperclassmen pushed me harder than any team I’ve ever been on, but it was there I began to thrive. A passion for the sport took over my life; my freshman 5k time of 37 minutes slowly went down to 23:43 by the end of my senior season. I was ecstatic that I had beaten my sister’s time, but it was only a momentary win. As much as I enjoyed these accomplishments, I learned to love the look on my teammate’s face every PR. I knew that if it wasn’t for my amazing coaches and teammates’ unwavering support, I wouldn’t have gotten that time at all.Throughout all of this, I started to learn how important it was to be a leader, and how amazing it is to watch your team grow. My team and coaches showed me how special having an encouraging, familial environment was; we prayed together, ate together, joked together, and watched movies together. They are a big part of who I am today and the reason why I want to continue running in college. They taught me how to be patient, how to put myself out there, how to push myself to new limits, how to break past mental barriers and turn injuries into strengths. I am positive when I say I will be bringing these skills into my life as I move on from high school and into my journey to further my education and running career. It takes a special kind of person to enjoy running, but with coaches and a team like mine, the motivation isn’t as hard to find.”

2024 Erika Wells Memorial Scholarship Winner – Lucy Hiller

Lucy Hiller, Southport High School – Purdue University, University of Michigan, or Stanford University

“Despite the common idea that running is an exclusive sport, I’ve found the complete opposite to be true during my seven years competing in it. The constant support and love from the running community has allowed me to gain confidence and enabled me to help others do the same.From the course to the shoe store, runners are always lifting each other up. When I ran my first marathon, countless people noticed my “First-time marathoner” bib and gave me encouragement that fueled me through the race, and working at a shoe store myself, I know that my coworkers and I strive to empower our customers during each interaction.I began my own running journey as a shy seventh grader. I created friendships and uncovered my identity during each run with the team, and my confidence grew with every race I completed. As my training progressed and my times got faster, I felt an immense sense of accomplishment. Now I’ve traded out the jitters I felt on the starting line as a 12-year-old for the collected yet excited mentality I have toward races now.In my own running career, I’ve had highs and lows. At the beginning of my senior season of cross country, I got a stress fracture that kept me off of the course for the rest of the year. Even though having my season ended prematurely was incredibly disappointing, I had to stay upbeat and be there for my teammates. Instead of contributing to the team my running, I became the resident cheerleader, hair braider, and peptalk giver. What started out as a devastating injury ended up teaching me an important lesson. I’ve always placed so much of my self-worth in my athletic performance, and this injury forced me to reevaluate. Just because I wasn’t physically running didn’t mean that I wasn’t still part of the running community or making a valuable contribution to my team. In both areas, my injury helped me realize that I wasn’t valued because of how fast I ran or how many points I scored but rather because I brought personality and encouragement to everyone on the team.Drawing on my own experiences, I’ve had the opportunity to mentor younger girls on my cross country and track teams. Whether it was empowering teammates to speak up for themselves or showing them that they are worth so much more than their performances, each chance I’ve had to guide my teammates has made me more empathetic and allowed me to pass on the lessons that I’ve learned. Conversations like these make all of the hard work worthwhile because I know that I’m making a positive difference for the1next generation of runners by sharing my own wisdom.The running community has given me the space to grow as an individual, as a teammate, and as a leader, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.”

2023 Erika Wells Memorial Scholarship Winner – Catherine Holtrup

Catherine Holtrup, Cathedral High School – University of Louisville

We are pleased to introduce our 2023 Erika Wells Memorial Scholarship winners, who each received a $1000 scholarship towards their college education. Please enjoy reading their personal essays, in which they discuss how running has made a positive impact on their lives.

Erika Wells was a beloved member of the Indy Runners who tragically passed away in October 2016. Her dedication to service, personal growth, social engagement, and an overall use of running as part of a healthy lifestyle and a way to help support the community were unparalleled. We believe these winners each exemplify these characteristics as well.

We are thankful that these young people were willing to share their unique stories of how running has influenced their lives. We hope that they will continue to make running a cornerstone of their life.

“On a hot, humid August afternoon, the cross country team was breaking up into groups for the first long run of the year. I was used to three-milers from middle school, but now, freshman year, I had to decide if I would join the five-mile group or the six-mile group.I couldn’t decide if I wanted to throw up or run away from practice. I looked nervously at my friend Brooke, secretly hoping she was planning on only running five. My stomach tightened when she told me she’d be doing the extra mile, but I decided to join her anyway.

By the halfway point I was really starting to wonder what I had gotten myself into. Heavy legs and arms, a dizzy feeling. Searching my mind for a good reason to just give up. Wishing I hadn’t gone left at that last turn but kept going straight instead, headed for a Starbucks strawberry acai refresher. Through all six miles, I never stopped thinking about quitting, but I also never stopped worrying what it would feel like if I did quit.

“There are no benches in cross country” goes a saying among runners. Whether it’s 20 degrees or 100, through tornado warnings or blizzards, cross country runners keep running. Our sport is your sport’s punishment. Cross country is also unusual because it’s both an individual sport and a team sport. But that’s why it has helped me learn so much about facing challenges. A runner has to persevere not only to improve their own abilities but also to support their teammates and the goals of their team. A runner can’t quit because doing so means not only letting herself down but letting her team down too.

I can’t even count the number of times I’ve thought of quitting a race or quitting my sport altogether. But any time I considered it, my mom would remind me that running is 10% physical and 90% mental. I believe that. Cross country has taught me how to face challenges in many areas of my life. I have struggled with learning disabilities throughout my education, and the classroom is another place where I’ve thought about quitting many times. In the end, though, I know that a geometry test or an English essay is nowhere near as painful as a six-mile run, and I know that I can persevere.”

2023 Erika Wells Memorial Scholarship Winner – Jonathan Reid

Jonathan Reid, Franklin Central High School – Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

“Running, although now a major part of my life, initially was something that I largely disliked. I ran around and played tag with my friends in the backyard, but I never would’ve considered running if it wasn’t for my father forcing me to run cross country in 6th grade.

I initially hated every part of it. Every long summer practice, every lap around the school, every single day where I wasn’t able to go home like every other kid and have time to play outside. However, as awful as I perceived it to be, it only took a season to fully understand why my dad forced me to run and how much I would begin to love running.

My dad wanted me to have an emotional and mental outlet to sort myself out whenever I got angry or overworked. I never realized just how valuable this would be until high school, where the immense workload from AP classes, extracurriculars, and maintaining a top 25 spot in my class of 700 people would’ve mentally destroyed me if I didn’t have a cross country to act as my stress reliever. My parents especially knew me as the kid that won’t stop trying his best no matter what consequences may arrive from the intense perseverance, so instead of trying to stipend my work ethic, they gave me the gift of teaching me how to healthily deal with stress while also enjoying myself. No matter the distance, cadence, or speed, running is a sport that solely relies on pushing yourself to your absolute best to push new boundaries and break your own goals and records you set for yourself, so I naturally came to love running as its own activity while it also let me enjoy the rest of my life better due to the decreased stress.

The other main reason my dad forced me to run was because of what it meant to my family. ‘The Running Reids’ was an established running group that ran in multiple areas around central Illinois and held many charity events in the form of races as a part of that. Even to this day, my cousin (a fellow John Reid, ironically) still runs a 5k event in the summer every year.

However, my ‘Running Reid’ that made me love running more than anything was my grandfather. A paratrooper in Vietnam, he was stranded from his squad and blasted by a grenade so he had to return home early. Before his now crippling Parkinson’s disease (from the grenade) fully set in, he dedicated his life to his family and running. Despite constantly fighting against the scars of his past, he’s managed to run 20 marathons, including 3 Boston marathons, in his 26 year running career.

Running was his personal fight against the wickedness of the world; it’s mine too.

Put plainly, I love running because of what it does to people and what it forces them to become: healthier and happier than they were the day before.”

2023 Erika Wells Memorial Scholarship Winner – Claire Monahan

Claire Monahan, Bishop Chatard High School – University of Dayton

“I have a love/hate relationship with running, like many who have chosen it as their sport. In just the six years I have been involved in it, my feelings have alternated between both of these and more. It has been a big part of my life, and I know it will continue to be important as I get older and participate in running as a lifestyle, rather than a sport I compete in.

I started running in seventh grade as a part of the track and cross-country team. I was a “social runner”, using the sport to be with my friends. I did not plan to run in high school. That changed the summer before my freshman year when I reluctantly decided to train with the cross-country team. It turns out I loved it. Part of the reason was the actual running and the accompanying feeling of accomplishment and I also deeply appreciated the feeling of community, each teammate pushing each other to be our best. But the main reason I continued running was our coach. She was like my older sister, friend, and mentor combined into one person. Maris showed me how to be a role model and gave me a sense of who I wanted to be, and she did this in such a selfless way as our volunteer coach.

I’ve always been passionate about helping disadvantaged people. The summer before my sophomore year I decided to take initiative with a specific goal of helping children in a forced transition from their home by providing a backpack with items that would give solace in a time of need. I worked with police and firemen to select items to include and determined an initial budget. To pay for the items, I created a GoFundMe page, called “Bag of Comfort”, and contacted newspapers, radio stations, and television shows to get the word out. My team helped me by offering encouragement and helping spread the word themselves, showing me that we had much more than running in common.

The summer before my junior year, my family moved from Illinois to Indianapolis. The transition from a town and group of friends that I had known my whole life was not easy, and it still isn’t, but the constant during the change has been running. I was able to form new friendships and make the town and school feel smaller by immediately joining the Bishop Chatard cross country and track teams. I found my ‘group’ in the summer workouts. A challenge I didn’t anticipate was a stress fracture in my ankle, but this limitation helps me appreciate and be grateful for the ability to run when I am healthy.

Being new to Indianapolis, I had not heard of Ms. Wells until my coach, Dan Kinghorn, mentioned this scholarship opportunity. I enjoyed reading about her and regardless of the outcome, this essay has helped me see how running can be a part of my life well after I compete in my last meet.”

2022 Scholarship Winner Katelin Schwab

What High School did you attend: I went to Pike High School

What got you into running? I started running in sixth grade because I loved the team environment and how my hard work directly resulted in faster times.

How are you adjusting to College at Purdue? College is going well so far. It was definitely an adjustment, and I still feel like I have a lot to figure out but I am learning. I have already joined the run club and the Brain Exercise Initiative club.

Do you plan to continue to run in the future? Over the next few years, I plan to continue running because I always want it to play an important part in my life. I hope to continue
getting faster, while growing closer to my new team.

Katelin’s Essay:

When I was a 6th grader, I wanted to play softball for my school, but I only had two options for fall sports. The school permitted 6th graders to join the cross country team, or play tennis. My friend suggested I try running, so I decided to join the cross country team. I thought all people had a general understanding that running was awful, so I didn’t expect to like it, let alone be good at it. However, to date, joining the cross country team was one of the best decisions of my life. The team became my family, and I fell in love with the sport that hurts so much. I love that everyone around me is equally motivated to become faster and that my hard work has tangible results. It’s addicting. After my first season, I missed cross country so much I would lay awake at night thinking about racing again. This love for running drew me away from softball, and I haven’t looked back since.

I love the freedom I have during long runs, or the power and satisfaction I feel after workouts. Most of all, I love racing. I love feeling alive when I push my body to the limit, and I’m running solely on grit and determination. The sport is a release of negative energy for me, it takes away my headaches, and restores the sense of confidence and calm in my mind. Running helps me grow stronger physically and mentally, and it brings out the best version of myself. Running will always be a part of my life not just because it makes me happy, but because I still have many goals I want to accomplish. The longest run I have competed in is a 5k, but I want to eventually run a marathon, and compete in Ironman races. Running got me interested in the limits of my body, and I still have so much to give to the sport. I want to continue getting better just to prove to myself that I can. Even though I will not run on an official school team next year, I plan to join a run club because I want to continue racing.

It is hard to explain what exactly running means to me, because yes the sport hurts, and yes I go weeks without improvement, but still… my love for running grows everyday. When my time drops, it makes all the long and gruesome workouts worth it. Nothing else in this world makes me feel as happy and as powerful as running. I am grateful as a sixth grader I joined the cross country team, and I am forever thankful for my coaches and teammates who push me to be a better runner and the best person I can be. Without them, my love for running would not have grown to as big as it is now.

2022 Scholarship Winner Ashley Flick

What High School did you attend: Roncalli High School

What got you into running? My older brother started running when he was in fourth grade, so I attended his meets with my family. After watching him, I decided that I also wanted to give the sport a try. The coach allowed me to attend practices as a second grader and run in the home meets, and I immediately fell in love with the sport. Since then, I have run both cross country and track.

How are you adjusting to College at Notre Dame? Despite college being a significant adjustment, I love Notre Dame! The school has so much to offer – a strong sense of community, long standing traditions, and top tier academics. I am very thankful to have this place as my second home.

Do you plan to continue to run in the future? Through the excitement, as well as difficulties, that accompany transitioning to a new chapter of my life, I have been able to deal with the stressors and various aspects of college life through running. College is a heavy workload, and time management is important. I have made running a priority for me as it helps prepare me mentally for the day ahead as well as relieve stress. I plan to join the Notre Dame running club and continue running past my college years!

Ashley’s Essay:

The stadium is full, and I feel the crowd’s eyes on me. As the slight breeze swims through the hushed arena, I do a few warm-up strides.
The whistle is blown twice: “Sweats off!” the announcer yells. I feel my heart aggressively beat against the walls of my chest, and I get in the zone. I shake out my butterflies, take deep breaths, and look forward. It’s race time. “Runners, on your mark!” Once I hear the loud pop of the gun, my nerves dissipate, and there’s no time to think. Just run – setting my position, pumping my arms, quickening my cadence. I feel more comfortable as I go. I’m in my element. I’m home.

This feeling, unique to only cross country and track, is one I’ve experienced since I was a little girl. I remember the first time my grade school cross country coach was hesitant to let me, a tiny 7 year-old, compete in a 3k. He eventually gave in, and little did I know that this would only be the beginning of a lifelong journey that would help me discover who I am. The feeling of the wind whipping at your face, the click-clack of the spikes across the gravel, the pain that serves as motivation, the load cheers as you near the finish line- so many aspects of the sport that brings a distinct sense of peace and comfort.

Throughout my early running career, I suffered two stress fractures near my tibia, a stress fracture in my left foot, and was place in a boot two different times for several weeks. During my sophomore year, the impact of these injuries ballooned, and I missed significant portions of the seasons. My sophomore track season was canceled due to COVID, and I contracted COVID mid-way through my junior year. My rapid heartbeat resulted in a four-month setback of no training. After two EKG’s, an echocardiogram, and a stress test, I was finally cleared by my cardiologist.

Working through these setbacks, i began to realize the impact running has had on me since I was a little girl. Throughout the years, it’s become my go-to – my way of escaping the craziness of everyday life. When I found out my best friend was diagnosed with brain cancer, and would be traveling out of state and missing school to get the treatment needed, I was scared. Not knowing where to turn, I ran more than I imagined in the weeks following her diagnosis. Later that same year, my grandpa only had a few days left to live, and I never got to say my final goodbye. After losing him, I felt alone and helpless. Once again, running was my fallback, giving me a sense of peace that I so desperately needed. I am blessed to have this sport as my lifeline – it has become a crucial aspect of who I am, and I’m forever grateful for the endless laughter, support, and pure happiness it has brought me over the last 11 years.

2002 Scholarship Winner Daniel Odumosu

What High School did you attend: I went to Pike High School

What got you into running? I started running when I was little. Knowing I’m not from here I got into running as a competitive sport and I liked it but not just because I like winning but also because I feel free when I run and it all started back in my hometown Lagos, Nigeria.

How are you adjusting to College at IUPUI? College is going pretty well actually, there are times when things get hard but I just watch my time management and ask for help when needed.

Do you plan to continue to run in the future? Honestly I don’t think I’ll stop running any time soon because it’s like therapy to me and it’ll also be great for me because I might join the military and we all know they run a lot so just that alone will be a big part of my life.

Daniel’s Essay:

I was young, ambitious, and crazy about being the best and fastest in school. You see that’s the mentality of most people from where I’m from. You’re probably saying what I am talking about is every kid’s dream but it’s not that easy. I’m not from the United States. Originally, I was born and raised in the country Nigeria and I recently moved to the United States five years ago.

Before I came here, everything in that country was a competition and we took running way too seriously. I have worked with a lot of people and have been running since I started school when I was young. Running for me is like a way to get my mind off things and for the fun of it. I also love running because I feel free and it makes me feel like I can do anything I set my mind on and untouchable. I remember one day that I felt mad at myself because I didn’t win a race, I beat myself up because I lost and came in second place. After that day, I worked so hard and practiced every time so I wouldn’t be second anymore. I’m a trackstar still now and I’ve met some pretty fast people but with time and me all grown up, I realized winning a race doesn’t define everything and it’s okay to come in second place too. After all my hard and extreme practices, I finally became fast and beat the boy that me and when I did, I felt victorious but at the same time I didn’t really feel anything because we were close friends and we should have been working hard and elevating each other up together.

I said all that because we lost touch after elementary school in Nigeria and I loved running because of him pushing me to be good and beter than him. So when I run now, I believe whatever I put my mind into is do-able and achievable and that’s something that I’ll never forget. Running also gets things off my mind a lot because then I am in my zone and I’ve learned a lot from the clarity I get when I am running. The way I take my mind off things is by running and even on days that it’s bad outside, I have a treadmill at home. Running will definitely impact my future because I plan on doing track in college and might also maybe join the military and I know they run a lot there because I’m the commanding officer for JROTC at my high school and we’ve been taught all these and are mentally ready to join for the people only interested in joining. Also like I said before, running will impact my future because I see my path or way more clearly and feel like I can achieve what I put my mind to while running. And I always make sure to remember it’s not always about winning.

Board Member Spotlight – Brian Schuetter

What is your current Board Position? Medical Liaison. I help coordinate injury checks during our training programs. I’m around for questions/advice or for steering folks in the direction of medical consultations when appropriate. And help coordinate medical coverage for our Races. And I help do a few
other things.

How long have you been running and how long have you been a member of Indy Runners? I played a bunch of sports growing up, but always thought my friends on the XC team were crazy. Then at IU and post-college it was just easier to lace ‘em up and go for a run. Then I met a bunch of friends that were runners and here we are. I’ve been involved with Indy Runners since 2005 and on the Board since 2008. It’s been a wonderfully enjoyable ride.

Are you originally from the Indianapolis Area? Yes. High School in Brownsburg. College at IU. I’m a local guy.

Do you listen to anything while running? If so, what? I used to go with music early on, but for a good 20-years now I’ve just enjoyed the solitude of solo runs and the camaraderie of runs with friends.

What is your favorite distance/race? I don’t end up racing all that much, but certainly enjoy a good Half Marathon. These Full Marathons seem like silly things. It doesn’t stop me from still doing them, but still.

What do you enjoy most about Indy Runners? I love the mix of our membership – all ages, all paces, all levels, all sorts of different reasons for getting out there. It’s a pleasure to share the roads with everyone.

Do you have any goals for the upcoming year? Another Full at Monumental and another attempt at an elusive BQ. Again, marathons = silly things.

What advice would you give to beginning runners? Don’t worry about pace, take walk breaks when needed, and mix it up between solo runs and runs with friends.

What is your favorite route to run? Oh man we’re blessed with so many good ones. From home – through Butler and home on the Towpath. Drive a bit and enjoy the trails at Eagle Creek. Drive quite a bit and enjoy the parks of Holland, Michigan.

What is your favorite running book/movie? Book: Once a Runner. Movie: Without Limits, or the Spirit of the Marathon documentary.

Tell us a little bit about yourself outside of running? I’m a physical therapist at St. Vincent Sports Performance where I get to help runners and athletes of all stripes get and stay healthy. My wife, Kay, and I live in Broad Ripple where we’re close to all sorts of fun routes just out our front door. Golf is my first love, even if I don’t play nearly as much as I used to.

What is your prerace routine? A silly Facebook post that I’ve borrowed from Adam Carolla.

What is your post run/race meal? Our friends at Runners Forum getting Chik-fil-A sandwiches at the Mini is pretty hard to beat. But Carol gives them a run for their money with Breakfast at the Monumental.

What is your proudest running moment? Not sure about “proudest” but my most enjoyable moments come at our Cheer Zone at Monumental sharing everyone’s accomplishments and reflecting on the year.

What might club members find surprising about you? Is it surprising to learn that I’m really not all that surprising?

Board Member Spotlight – Dan Bardua

What is your current Board Position? At Large Member

How long have you been running and how long have you been a member of Indy Runners? I have been running for almost 25 years on and off. Started in middle school and continued
through high school and while at Butler. I’ve been part of Indy Runners for about 3 years or
so now.

Are you originally from the Indianapolis area? I am originally from Cincinnati, OH but relocated here after going to Butler.

Do you listen to anything while running? If so, what? I am lucky enough to usually have a group to run with, even in the early weekday hours, so we have spirited conversation.

What is your favorite distance/race? My favorite race is probably the marathon. I have completed 12 in the last 11 years, and it always seems to draw me back in.

What do you enjoy most about Indy Runners? The club provides a lot of opportunities for runners of all different abilities. It’s truly focused on bringing people together to run, no matter what their pace is.

What is your favorite route to run? I have a route that goes from my house through downtown and along the White River trail near the zoo. It covers a lot of the city, and usually I will catch the sunrise coming up behind the city in the mornings.

What is your favorite running book/movie? Fight Club – “I ran. I ran until my muscles burned and my veins pumped battery acid. Then I ran some more. ”

Board Member Spotlight – Brian Cake

What is your current Board Position? Webmaster

How long have you been running and how long have you been a member of Indy Runners? I’ve been running for 26 years but joined Indy Runners and Walkers in 2002.

Are you originally from the Indianapolis Area? I grew up just north of Indy.

Do you listen to anything while running? If so, what? I almost always run outside and prefer to be able to hear nearby cars, so I don’t listen to music or podcasts while running.

What is your favorite distance/race? I’ve raced way more half marathons than any other distance, so I’d say I prefer that distance. However, my favorite race was probably the Siberian Express trail race in Danville, IL. It’s held the first Saturday in January, meaning that the weather conditions vary greatly from year to year. After the race, participants are invited to an after party where lunch is served.

Do you have any goals for the upcoming year? I’ve been trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon for almost 20 years. However, I’ve yet to qualify. This year, I’ve been training all-out in preparation for making a final(?) qualifying attempt this Fall.

Why did you begin running? I got talked into donating blood during my junior year of college, and I found out that my cholesterol was barely in the normal range. I decided to start running to help ensure it didn’t go up

What advice would you give to beginning runners? Seek out the knowledge of experienced runners around you so that you can avoid making the same mistakes we’ve made

What is your favorite route to run? I used to like a six mile route on the trails at Eagle Creek, but I was born with a medical condition that now makes my legs feel heavy when I run. I therefore avoid trails with roots to lessen the chance of tripping. I instead periodically run the roads in the park.

What is your proudest running moment? I’ll list two of them:

I set a half marathon PR of 1:24:50 (6:29 mins/mile pace) many years ago.
As part of a competition at work that was supposedly to promote health, they offered a prize for whoever could do the most steps on a specific Saturday. (We all had been given Fitbits to count steps.) I won the competition with 104,000+ steps. Part of the day was spent participating in our club’s “Run the Monon” 20 mile run. However, I particularly remember walking through the neighborhoods near me after 11:00pm that evening, so tired that I was veering from side-to-side.

What might club members find surprising about you? I’m not very athletic overall. Growing up, I tried three different sports: baseball, soccer, and basketball. If there were multiple levels of leagues, I was always in the lowest league.

Board Member Spotlight – Grant Carpenter

What is your current Board Position? Director of Sponsorship

How long have you been running and how long have you been a member of Indy Runners? I started running to lose weight in 2018 but really started to become a more serious runner in 2020. I became a member in 2020.

Are you originally from the Indianapolis Area? No, I am from southern California

Do you listen to anything while running? If so, what? I love listening to podcasts. Mostly on sports, news and pop culture. The only time I listen to music while running is during a workout long run to stay motivated.

What is your favorite distance/race? I’ve never raced anything above a half-marathon. I love that distance because it is the perfect blend of speed and endurance.

Do you have any goals for the upcoming year? I’d like to set a PR at the Monumental Half Marathon. I’d also like to explore more of the trails around Indianapolis.

Why did you begin running? I started running to lose weight but could only run a mile or two and was exhausted. I hated everything about it until I realized I needed to slow down and not run at 100% effort every run. Once I changed that mentality, I fell in love with it.

What advice would you give to beginning runners? Slow down! Not every run is meant to be a race.

What is your favorite route to run? Either north or south on the Monon starting in Broad Ripple. You don’t have to worry about cars and it’s easy to get lost in your thoughts in the trees.

Tell us a little bit about yourself outside of running? I live in Broad Ripple with my wife and our dog, Franklin. I work for an Association Management Company as a Director of Membership, working with professional and trade association.

What is your prerace routine? Bagel with10 minutes or so of some mobility exercises to loosen things up. On the few days I skip it, I regret it pretty quickly..

What is your post run/race meal? A burger and fries.

What is your proudest running moment? Completing the Chicago Marathon inI came in first place at an inaugural 5K race in 2021. I never thought I’d break the tape at an event but it just happened to work for me that day!

Board Member Spotlight – Jim Patton

What is your current Board Position? I am responsible for arranging the seminars during our Spring Training Program and facilitating our Scholarship program.

How long have you been running and how long have you been a member of Indy Runners? I have been running since 2010 and I have been a member of Indy Runners for about as long as I have been running!

Are you originally from the Indianapolis Area? I grew up in Carmel and graduated from Carmel High School.

Do you listen to anything while running? If so, what? Only conversation with running friends! 🙂

What is your favorite distance/race? ½ Marathon

What do you enjoy most about Indy Runners? I have always been a fan of the Spring Training program. It has helped me train for a number of 500 Festival Mini-Marathons. I am also a huge fan of the Sam Costa races.

Do you have any goals for the upcoming year? My goal is to break 4 hours for the first time in the Monumental Marathon.

Why did you begin running? I started in January 2010 to get in shape. I weighed about 70 pounds more then than I do now.

What is your favorite running motto/mantra? The body achieves what the mind believes.

What advice would you give to beginning runners? Start out slow and find a running club to make friends and help you train for the distance of your choice.

What is your favorite route to run? I love running through Crown Hill Cemetery.

What is your favorite running book/movie? 26 Marathons by Meb Keflezighi

Tell us a little bit about yourself outside of running? I work in sales for a consulting company called Performance Development Group (PDG). I am married to my wife, Jennifer, and we have two daughters, Brooklyn and Chelsea. I love IU sports and Chicago Bears football. I also volunteer with Outreach, Back on My Feet and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, and I am on the board of the Drumstick Dash and Dove Recovery House for Women.

What is your prerace routine? Bagel with peanut butter and a banana.

What is your post run/race meal? Brunch at the Original Pancake House!

What is your proudest running moment? Completing the Chicago Marathon in 4:02 in 2019.

What might club members find surprising about you? I hated running most of my life. I did not start running regularly until I was 45 years old!