Women`s Running Article

September 17, 2007

Every Monday there will be a new womenâ€™s running article. I will talk with other female runners about the different issues and challenges we face, as well as what it takes to succeed in the sport. I hope to inform, entertain and encourage fellow runners.

My name is Stephanie Lowe, but a lot of you may know me as txRUNNERgirl from the LetsRun.com message board. I love to run and am a huge fan of Track and Field. Growing up, I failed at any sport I tried. When I got to high school, I was cut from the soccer team after being berated by the coaches telling me how slow and uncoordinated I was. I had a low self-esteem to begin with, but that affected me more than anything. Right then something inside me changed. I was angry at myself, so I started running.

I am still uncoordinated, but I definitely got faster. My sister, Cheryl, encouraged me to join my high school cross country team and from then on I was hooked. I ran every chance I got. I improved the most by competing on a summer track team. After I graduated, I walked on at Texas Tech University . I did okay my first year, but unfortunately was injured constantly for the next two. I decided not to run this year, my senior year, due to my propensity for injuries. It was a tough decision, but as I sit here with a fractured foot, I believe it was the right choice.

Now it is my mission to learn everything I can about running. Recently, Iâ€™ve studied many articles and books on training, nutrition, etc. My favorite book on running is â€œLore of Running,â€ by Tim Noakes, which I read cover to cover this summer and often use for reference. Another good book for training is â€œDanielsâ€™ Running Formula,â€ by Jack Daniels.

I am learning from my mistakes and hope to share my knowledge and experiences with others. My goal right now is to get healthy so I can continue to run for the rest of my life. Even more than wanting to see myself succeed, I love to see other athletes reach their potential. That is what makes this a great sport. No matter how fast you are, we are all runners. We are all in this crazy sport together, through all the joy and pain. My high school coach, Pete King, always said â€œAs iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens anotherâ€ (Proverbs 27:17).

I am ecstatic to write for Flotrack. This site is a terrific source for fans, athletes and coaches, and it just keeps getting better! I am so happy to be a part of it, working to promote Track and Field. If you have any ideas for womenâ€™s running topics you would like to see covered, feel free to send me a message.

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#26	M V September 23, 2007 at 10:45am i think stephanie you will prove these folks who rattle and rumble wrong. and i really believe in it. reply
#25	Cheryl September 22, 2007 at 5:18am Still Not Worth It, She will prove you wrong. Believe it. And, she is by far NOT a "recreational runner." Flotrack is right where she should be. Have you run D1 cross country and track yourself? Did you get 3rd overall in your high school cross country district championships? I wouldn't say that's very "recreational." reply
#24	Still Not Worth It September 20, 2007 at 3:32pm I am happy that you have decided to share your experiences with the running community. I think its great that we can have a recreational runner on this site to contribute. HOWEVER, to have an article on this site that is off basis of what everything else on this site is (i.e. college and professional runners) i think is odd. I understand that there are some recreational runners out there that like to see this stuff, but there are other sites that have articles and blog posts as well. I think that Flotrack could have found something/someone better to put up here. I'll be reflective all night and day, but it doesn't mean squat if there isn't an experience behind it. As a coach and a runner i like to see people reflect on experiences and make them selves better, but you obviously have not learned how to stay healthy, so you must not reflect too much. i hope this doesn't take you off of your passion of writing. Good Luck, and hopefully you prove me wrong reply
#23	Speedytekk September 18, 2007 at 8:35pm nice verse!;) reply
#22	Traxor September 18, 2007 at 8:37am I call giving the next column to Branden Moen reply
#21	Jeremy Bochert September 17, 2007 at 2:28pm Talk about an internship of a lifetime. Way to go Tex!! I'm looking forward to your weekly column. reply
#20	Yank September 17, 2007 at 1:15pm Good luck Tex. ;) reply
#19	James September 17, 2007 at 1:12pm People seem to think that because you are not a 'professional' writer and don't have a 'lot of experience' you have nothing to contribute or share with the track community. I hope you prove them all wrong! reply
#18	Pattidillon September 17, 2007 at 12:24pm Hi txRUNNERgirl!!! CONGRATULATIONS!! WAY TO GO!! I look forward to reading your column on Mondays. You ROCK!! Keep on keepin on! :) In Joy! patti reply
#17	Trackgirl September 17, 2007 at 11:20am Excellent! Ignore anybody who doubts you have the experience to write about running - far too little is said about women's running by non-professionals. I look forward to reading your articles. Best of luck. reply
#16	Woohoo September 17, 2007 at 11:15am i like it! Lets see how this goes..... Screw regular media we are the future of track and we have to join together like flotrack is asking. If you love track and like to write, then do it! I love how Flotrack is bringing everything together. Grassroots revolution is right! reply
#15	Swifty September 17, 2007 at 11:11am not worth it, That is why this country is great. You don't have to read it. How do writers start out? By writing in college. I am excited to see some new track writers. Its great for the sport! The more the better! reply
#14	Mstrenigma September 17, 2007 at 10:41am txRg, I'm looking forward to your columns. Reflective experience counts way more than plain old experience; lots of runners (such as the negative posters below, I'll wager) have the latter in spades, but far fewer have the former. Best of luck as you reflect on your experience! reply
#13	Not Worth It September 17, 2007 at 10:38am this doesn't seem too credible... i would rather hear from someone with experience rather than theory reply
#12	Anonymous Coward September 17, 2007 at 10:36am alright! reply
#11	From Letsrun September 17, 2007 at 9:52am You look younger than you do on letsrun reply
#10	Dee September 17, 2007 at 9:50am I am very touch by your article. Keep on run and God will direct your path. reply
#9	Lagat H September 17, 2007 at 9:10am Stepanie, iam really impressed on what you are doing, keep it up gal.I know u love the sport but its has some consequences that we must cope up with and and accept as they happen.You are hardworking lady has i have known since i joint Tech, personally i think u have passions on the sport n hope your foot will ill soon.it was nice seeing on the weekend n thanks for the rides you gave us n hope you enjoyed the kenya tea we cooked for you.God bless.GREAT ARTICLE. reply
#8	Don September 17, 2007 at 8:30am Very good article. I've worked with your Dad for years and it has been interesting to hear his stories of your running adventures. I started running for overall fitness about 4 years ago and have completed 2 marathons and quite a few shorter races. As you research and write about running, I would like to hear your perspective on runners age 50 . Thanks for the article and good luck with your studies. reply
#7	David September 17, 2007 at 8:26am Great article Steph! Seeing you run in high school and through the neighborhood,I can tell you have a love of the sport. You have been an inspiration for several young runners through you words of encouragement. Run for life! reply
#6	Joshua Neyhart September 17, 2007 at 6:58am very nice to hear from you! this is going to be a very nice perspective! reply
#5	Dick September 17, 2007 at 6:03am Very well written! reply
#4	Cheryl September 17, 2007 at 5:44am I'm really happy for you! reply
#3	Dean Rugh September 17, 2007 at 4:16am Hi Stephanie, We are very similar in our collegiate stories. I've got a few more years on you, but look forward to discussing even from a men's point of view. reply
#2	Cara Hawkins September 17, 2007 at 1:48am I'm looking forward to this article every monday.. reply