Terry Hunley, 67
Retired (Engineering Services Supervisor)

I've been running for almost 30 years.

I started running because of health reason. I was overweight and took pills for high blood pressure. A neighbor who was a pharmaceutical salesman made the comment, "overweight pill poppers will make him rich someday". I decided then that I needed to do something. I thought running would be the fastest way to lose weight. I knew nothing about running. I put on an old pair of tennies and started down the street. Two blocks later I was completely done in. I kept running in the neighborhood and increasing the distance until I got up to around 5 miles. This took all summer. Now, I thought I was ready to try a race, "The Young At Heart" a 5 miler. I did better than I expected in my age group. I met some real runners and made some friends and the rest is history.

If I could no longer run, I would probably get fat and be in poor health, which is not acceptable, so I would walk or join a health program.

My favorite place to run is the trails at Rock Cut. It is convenient to my home and the trails are softer than the roads. I especially enjoy the commune with nature in all its glory.

I enjoy all the races I run, especially the Hobo. The Hobo is a challenge on the trails which I enjoy plus the people are cool.

I like to run with Ed Clucas, Regina Bielkus, Sue Connant, Julie Rosenbaum and anybody else that shows up on Sunday morning. Someone always has a good story to tell.

My favorite thing to do after a hard workout is clean-up and relax...some times with a cold beer in the summer time.

When I'm not running, I like spend time with our 3 grandchildren (girl 10.5 yr, 2 boys 7.5 and 3 yrs), drive our 2007 corvette convertible (yellow) or work in my tropical fish hatchery (angelfish).

I am inspired by everyone that laces up a pair of running shoes. Some have natural ability but most have to work hard to keep running year after year.

An obstacle or challenge I’ve overcome with my running is that at age 38 I was popping 11 pills a day for high blood pressure and related side effects plus I was 40 lbs over weight and smoked. My father-in-law passed away from emphysema at the age of 50. This took about a year and had a big effect on me. I quit smoking over night.

The local runner I most admire is Ron Leonhardt because of his age and competitiveness and his ability to coach others.

To push myself on a run, I dream of being finished. The faster I run the quicker I get done.

My greatest running accomplishment is my first marathon (3:45, Milwaukee) a number of years ago. I tried 2 more times at Millwaukee, one at 4:11 the other I did not finish.

My next goal is to run as long as my body will let me.

My advice to other runners, cross-train, stay in condition year round, listen to your body and enjoy the satisfaction you get from running.

I plan to run until my wheels fall off.