Shelly Kroes

Team Running Free Alumni

Member Since: 2011

Occupation: Accountant

Home: Waterdown (just outside of Hamilton)

About Me: My love affair with running began about 10 years ago. I started running like many people ‚ from lamp post to lamp post in response to my doctor's suggestion that I lose weight. I had never been an athletic child and the thought of running for five minutes seemed like a feat comparable to hiking Kilimanjaro when I first started. Well, five minutes intervals eventually become ten and I started thinking in kilometers, not minutes. I read everything I could find about running. I joined a clinic and furthered my understanding of training, proper nutrition and the concept of ‚'stress and rest'.

Sports: In addition to running, I am also a strength training addict! I absolutely love the pump I get when hitting the weights and I am certain that the core work I do has improved my running a great deal.

Athletic Goals: After a year of re-building my endurance and strength, I am hoping to reach some new PB's this year (2010). In particular, I would like to set a new PB in the marathon this year.

My most catastrophic racing experience was: Realizing 8km into my second marathon that I was in for a bad race. I should have paid attention to the dull ache in my left foot leading up to the race because it became a much 'louder' ache at 8km on race day. A doctor's visit after the race revealed a stress fracture which kept me from running for several months after the race (yes, I did finish the race, but the pictures aren't pretty!).

My most memorable racing experience was: I must say that my most memorable racing experience was finishing my first marathon (Toronto Marathon, Oct 2006). It was a surreal feeling thinking to myself - "Holy smokes, I just ran 42.2km". It really does change how you feel about your body, your spirit and how you approach other challenges in your life.

Favourite Racing Gear: I tend to love Asics (I currently wear the Cumulus) and I ALWAYS wear a cap (my running buddies don't recognize me if I don't).

Favourite Race: HSBC Chilly Half Marthon

Favourite Race Food: Gotta love Carboom (Banana) and Hammer Gels