BETH RISDON never considered herself a true runner until less than two years ago. A gymnast up to age 17, she became an avid cyclist in college and remained active through the following decades, but without a serious focus. Then at age 41, feeling lost and off-center, a postcard arrived from Team in Training and she dove headlong into a full marathon. She had never run more than six miles at a time, and had only done that twice, but she trained for four months, raised $4,000 for a great cause, and crossed the finish line while her husband and children watched.
Beth credits running with changing her life — not just in the physical sense, but in helping her become a kinder, more insightful, healthier and more balanced person who believes she can do anything she sets her mind to. Inspired by her own experiences, she became a certified running coach through the Road Runner’s Club of America to support people in completing their first long distance race while remaining dedicated to her own training for 8 to 10 races each year.
When she’s not entertaining us with stories on Shut Up and Run, her funny, often irreverent blog, Beth helps organize races like the Skirt Chaser 5k in Denver, where she’s a behind-the-scenes maven orchestrating the volunteers. A woman of many talents, she holds a Masters in Social Work and helps families who hope to foster or adopt children. She also hosts yoga classes at elementary schools, trains alongside her son’s middle school cross country team, and promotes an active lifestyle for youth. A mother of two children, ages 9 and 13, she truly emphasizes the importance of a healthy body and a healthy outlook on life.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS & CREDENTIALS:
- May 2010: Completed her second marathon (the Colorado Marathon) and qualified for the Boston Marathon (3:42)
- May 2010: Certified running coach with Road Runner’s Club of America
- August 2010: Sponsored by GoreTex to run Stage One of the 21-mile TransRockies Run with ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes, author of the bestseller Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All Night Runner.
- August 2010: Completed her first (any probably last) skydiving jump
- Regular Contributor to Boulder Running Examiner
- Masters in Social Work
2011 GOALS:
- Complete the Boston Marathon April 18, 2011
- Organize a Run for Congo Women 5K (she ran with her daughter in Denver this past year)
- Break 50 minutes in a 10k
- Run another 10K with her children, ages 9 and 13
- Train for and complete the Boulder 70.3 Ironman this August 2011
WEBSITE: ShutUpandRun.net »
Beth this is so freaking cool!!! No one’s humoring you–you most definitely deserve this! Good luck as you continue to heal and train. I have nothing but a positive outlook for you because you not only work hard physically but mentally and emotionally too. You’re my hero!!
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This is so cool.
Beth – you rock my friend!
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This is so cool. Can’t wait to see you in the catalog. Never realized until I read this that you and I had so much in common. Kids about the same age and at age 41 I restarted my running career with TNT. Raised $5000 and went to Honolulu marathon. The entire experience changed my life.
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I didn’t know about your TNT experience either. Great job, now SUAR!!!!!!!
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Congratulations, Beth on this esteemed status of ‘featured Athlete’ with such a cool a great company. You embody their mission in every way. A great choice for us all to be inspired by and look to. I love their clothes and you in them. You wear ‘winning’ so very well. You rock!
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Very cool, I just found your blog a few days ago and was excited to see you here too! Impressive accomplishments and goals – hope you write about the juggling act that must be required with all your various roles.
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Beth is simply amazing!! I love her to death and have never even met the woman.
Now, even more women will be exposed to her humor, wit and talent as a runner.
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Congrats!!! Hope I can find something to get me back on track. Unfortunately, my knee won’t allow running. And you are a very talented writer also.
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Congratulations Beth! I love your blog. I find it refreshing for women to embrace who they are and you certainly do that well. Wishing you much success with this new endeavor and know that I I have you in my head when I feel like quitting…I just “Shut up and run”!
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Awesome! I’m 39 and want to do some 5Ks, mini triathlons and swims. You have inspired me that I’m not “too old”!
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Wow, I sit next to Beth watching our son’s play baseball all the time and although I knew she was special, never knew just how much. She is such an inspiration. An honor and pleasure to know you.
Chris.
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I love it. It seems lots of people get their second wind in their late 30′s or early forties. I just started running at age 36, I am 38 now. I ran 4 half marathons last summer and am running my first marathon this summer. I am so excited I was really inspired by my twin brother Zeke Hersh, who is a pro mountain bike race and lives in Colorado. I also have a Master’s of Social work like Beth. She sounds like someone awesome.
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Where did you do gymnastics? I competed through college and worry about running more than 10k due to already putting a lot of strain on my joints. Maybe that’s just my excuse! Like you, I’m looking for something to push me more. Congrats to you!
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Wonderful words and story, Beth! Thank you for sharing the journey, the connection and the belief that separation is a state of mind. I hope people apply these lessons to politics!!! I look forward to my next run and am sure to be more ‘invigorated’ when reflecting upon your experience.
Cheers!
Joanna
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P.s. THANK YOU for the dedication to social work and improving people’s lives
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Kudos on the TNT work. I too am a TNT alum and Mentor for several years for our local Iron Girl and Nations Triathlon teams. Good luck on the Boulder 70.3 Ironman in the fall. I did the Inaugural 70 mile Half Full Triathlon in support of the Ulman Cancer Fund for young adult cancers in October of 2010. It was unforgettable. Good Luck!
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Beth, you are inspirational! Thanks so much for sharing your story. I just ready about the Skirt Chaser runs and thought it was such a wonderful idea! I’ve been running for only 14 months and at age 52, I’ve become addicted. Like you, it has changed my life!
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3:42? Holy run! That’s fantastic! I’ve just finished my final long run prior to my very first marathon in 3 weeks. Going to do my second half marathon this Sunday, then on with the show! I’m going to be thinking of your story to help me push through! Thanks for sharing!
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Definitely an inspiration! I have run numberous half marathons, restarting my running interest only three years ago. I am 41 and this summer ran 2 half marathons and did a Warrior Dash! My only hold back right now is an injury to my left foot that shoots pain through my foot and leg after running about three miles. I am afraid that running will have to take a back seat until I can find the cure for my problem, but I am terribly afraid surgery will be involved! I also trained for a marathon a few years ago and the Monday prior to the race, I came down with a flu. I refused to back out after all that work, so only did the half. I was so bummed, but my consolation was the head of our local runner’s club said I was a true runner and was amazed that I did a half with a 101 degree fever! That made it worth it since I never had considered myself a runner! Beth is making it happen!
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LOVE your story! :)
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