Happy Monday, Runners! This week’s Member Spotlight Monday is Richard Ridlington! Read below to learn more about Richard’s journey with running and BWRC (with his signature comedic twist, of course!).
Q: How long have you been a runner?
Richard: I started running early in my life, I had an older brother who, as soon as he finished eating all his candy, came after mine…I’d PR almost every week.
Q: Why did you start running?
Richard: I was in my early 40’s and having a mid life crisis, it was my third of the week and it was only Tuesday morning, something had to be done. I couldn’t afford a fancy sports car, I toyed with the idea of climbing mount Everest naked and then I thought I could combine the two… Running ! It combines the thrill, excitement and glamour of fancy sports cars and you get to freeze your %^$#& off wearing an atom thick layer of Spandex in the middle of winter. Sign me up!
Q: How did you find BWRC?
Richard: I found the initials BWRC scratched on the wall of the men’s room of a rather seedy establishment I frequent….sounded sordid, adventurous and just a little naughty. Sign me up!
Q: Why did you join BWRC?
Richard: I didn’t know I’d joined, I wasn’t wearing my glasses when Amanda made me sign a piece of paper ….do I get time off for good behavior?
Q: Why do you run?
Richard: Why? If I had a penny for every time I’ve asked myself that question I still wouldn’t be rich enough to pay someone to run for me. I don’t like running, it’s hard work and I tend to smell a bit funky afterwards. I find the best bits of the run are the first step and the the last one, everything in between is a constant battle with the small relentless voice in my head…”It’s OK to stop”…but that’s why this group is SO important. BWRC get’s me out there every week. I think some form of sport or exercise is essential for both body and mind, all I have to do is take a couple of days off and I start to get cranky and lethargic. I may not always enjoy running but I do enjoy that feeling of being able to run. At some point you have to make a choice about actively taking care of yourself and not just going with the flow. I just count myself lucky that I found this great group of people who make it easier for me to follow through with my choice.
Q: Do you have any upcoming races or goals we should know about?
Richard: Goals hmmmmm. I used to have goals and then I’d get mad at myself for not meeting them. Doh! These days I admire those runners who just get out there every week and enjoy themselves. I’m sure they’d be happy if they PR’d but they won’t let a less than stellar time ruin their day. Having said that I will be running Chicago again this year and hoping for cooler weather (pretty please I want my sub 4). I’d like to run a couple of 1/2s before then just to keep the excitement going, and of course there’s always the Schaumburg Turkey trot, burger and beer, at the end of the season.
Q: What does BWRC mean to you?
Richard: The people in BWRC are unique, an eclectic bunch of misfits made stronger by their differences. It’s a bunch of people from all over the map who all seem to share the same mutual respect and who are willing to give each other the room and encouragement to be the person they are, quirks and all (you all know who I’m talking about). I like them and I always look forward to spending time with them (once we stop running :-)). If you want to see a group of smiling people, come run with BWRC.
