Team Run Hub: Jared Williams

In the few weeks leading up to the Eugene Half and Full Marathon, we are featuring our Team Run Hub athletes to give you a peek into their backgrounds, goals and training. Enjoy!

 

Jared Williams is a 37-year-old teacher at Gateways High School in Springfield, OR. He has been running for four years.

 

JaredWWhen and why did you start running?
I started running four years ago after being inspired reading “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougal. I had been a high-school athlete but, had always dreaded running. I had gotten up to 290 pounds and the stories of people who truly loved running made me believe I could also love running.

 

Why did you sign up for the #teamrunhub training program?

Run Hub has been my family since we moved to Oregon. Running and the group at Run Hub are a large part of my life. I have completed 8 half-marathons over the last 4 years to various degrees of success. When I decided to tackle my first full marathon it only made sense to have Dustin help me conquer it and to have the friends I’ve made there cheer me on.

 

What are your goals for the Eugene half/full Marathon? What pace(ish) are you planning to run during the race?

I have an A, B, and C goal. My A goal is a 4:30 finish. That’s 10:17 per mile. I’m testing that pace out on a long run a few weeks prior to the marathon. My B goal is 5:00 hours. This feels like a very comfortable pace and I could make that time based on my pace at the last Eugene Marathon preview run. My C goal is to finish. Any finish time will be a PR, so I just need to stay healthy and finish. I have DNF’d 1 half marathon before and it still haunts me.

 

Jared finished with 20 miler
Feeling “Usain Bolt” good after his 20-miler

What has been your favorite part of being a member of the training group?
The camaraderie of the group has been really great. We hold each other accountable for completing workouts and are there to celebrate our successes. Free pancakes on Saturday aren’t bad either.

 

What has been the most challenging part of your training?

Running five days a week is a logistical challenge. Even with the planning of the actual runs taken care of for me there is still a lot to plan. I work full-time and have a family. It often feels like I spend a lot of time away from family. Jenell (my wife) has been amazing. She not only puts up with my running but, encourages me to get out there on days I just want to watch Netflix on the couch. Their support of my running makes all of this possible.

 

Tell us: Are you running the Eugene Half or Full Marathon? What are your goals? What motivates you to get out there and run when you don’t want to?