May Runner of the Month | April Kenely
When and why did you start running? It all began back in 2017 almost two years after my mom passed away due to congestive heart failure. I was the new Assistant Principal at Anderson Elementary in Allen ISD. One of my teachers (and now frunner) Kim Barr mentioned to me that a group of teachers and staff annually run the Dallas Hot Chocolate 5K race. I had always dreamed of being able to run that race, but the problem was... I was not a runner! I was 44 years old, overweight with a knee that I had surgery on eight years prior for what they ironically sometimes call “runners knee!” However, I am a goal driven person always ready for a challenge, so I signed up and began to use the Couch to 5K app to train. As I began to run, the endorphins lifted the weight of the anxiety and grief of losing my mom. This was what all those crazy runner friends told me about, runners high! So why do I run you ask? I run for my mama who couldn’t because her heart wasn’t strong enough. I run for those who think they don’t have the body type to do so. I run for my daughter to show her that anything is possible even as you get older. I run for for my mental health, to burn off the Crazy!
First race? 2018 Dallas Hot Chocolate 5K. It was freezing!! I remember I had forgotten my gloves, but Kim saved me by letting me wear hers since she was not going to run due to feeling sick. Another teacher from my school Diana Metivier vowed to stay by my side and take walking breaks when I needed. She paced me through my first 5K. When we reached the dreaded bridge, she encouraged me to keep pressing on. Crossing that finish line was AMAZING!
Most recent race? Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic my races have become virtual. I recently completed the Rockstar Run Virtual 5K. I love the cool medal that has movable drumsticks!
Favorite piece of gear? I feel sassy in my Skirt Sports Skirts! I absolutely love my running skirts and how they make me feel as a runner. As a Skirt Sports Ambassadors now, I can truly say it’s more than a skirt, it’s a community of women who embrace all shapes, sizes and cultural backgrounds. My other favorite running gear is my ProCompression compression socks! I love the funky designs, but most of all the benefit of less recovery time when I wear them.
What shoes do you run in? On Cloud Cloudflyer
Favorite way to cross train?
Before the Covid-19 Pandemic you would find me on Monday’s and Wednesday’s at Orangetheory Theory Fitness Allen. I love And miss my OTF family. The trainers push me and offer modifications when I need them.
Best running memory? It was pouring down raining the morning of the Melon Dash 5K. I was supposed to run this race with my husband (he runs one race per year with me)! I thought to myself that maybe it would stop before the race started, so we drove to Towne Lake Park. As we rolled on the ran poured harder. I had never run in the rain! Panic began to set in and even though I was born and raised in Oregon, I was not keen on the idea of getting soaked while running! We sat in the car waiting for it to slow up, but time was ticking. My husband looked at me and said, “Let’s do this!” If he was willing to do it, then I had to get my butt out of the car. We ran to the starting line just in time! As the rain poured on my head, I felt like I was being cleansed of all my worries!
Do you have a favorite distance? I love doing 5Ks! The distance is just right to get a quick runner’s high and also achievable for beginner runners.
What is something that most people do not know about you?
In my twenties I was a part of a dance performing/ competitive group called Emeralds at Charisma Dance studio in Lakewood, WA. We competed in Canada, Washington State and Oregon. I did this all while being a full time Elementary school teacher.
Favorite tune to rock out to while running? Salt~N~Pepa Push It, Beyoncé Run The World, Ciara and Missy Elliot Level Up, 90’s Running playlist on Spotify
Best part about running? The best part about running for me would have to be the feeling of accomplishment that I get after finishing a run, the peace of mind I get when I see a cardinal (Hi mama!) and most importantly the friendships that I have been able to make in the running community. Who inspires you? I can not pinpoint one person who inspires me. There are so many people in MRTT that have inspired me to keep going. I am so grateful for Kim Barr who inspired me to go for my dream of running a 5K. Suzanne Endres who pushed me through early Sunday morning training run for my first half marathon (Big Star postponed until November 2020), Jeanette Cabellero-Bell for encouraging me to join the Craig Ranch Running Club, Martha Kulhman and Ann Wilson Gadbury for being my surprise race buddies when I thought I might be running a race by myself! All the ladies of MRRTT have inspired me through your posts that you share and comments you make on my posts. Some notable runners I am inspired by are Mirna Valerio, Latoya Shauntay Snell.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
When I first think about this question I immediately think of the injuries I had to recover from. I had to go to physical therapy for months to heal from Achilles tendinitis and a pulled hamstring. These injuries had me down, but what is truly my biggest challenge is the battle in my mind. There are times when I feel defeated because I don’t feel like I have a “runner’s body,” or when my pace is slower than some people my age. I fight these thoughts by reminding myself of my accomplishments. I have my medal rack on a wall in my bedroom right where I can see when lying in my bed. “She believed she could, so she did!”
Any words of advice?
You are a runner even if you run intervals! It’s your race, your pace!
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