![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/prairie-fire-medals.jpg\" "\\"prairie")
<\/p>\nOur Local Joes are just 32 days away from the starting gun of The Prairie Fire Marathon<\/a><\/strong>. Just four months ago many of them couldn\u2019t run a mile or even fathom running 13.1 consecutively. Their training has got them up in the neighborhood of running 10 miles and they are surprising themselves and all of us watching with what they\u2019ve been able to accomplish since May.<\/p>\n Trainer Holly Perkins<\/a><\/strong> laid out specific plans for each of our runners back in the spring. The plans were designed to get our Joes to the finish line. They had to overcome more than just the physical, but the logistical and even emotional issues that all runners deal with. Time is always fleeting and our brains don\u2019t always rally for us. The Joes have had to learn what all runners deal with. Simply put: life can get in the way of running.<\/p>\n Besides the hurdles of schedules and commitments some of the Joes have had to fight harder than others to feel comfortable running. But overall, they\u2019ve all made amazing strides. We checked in with each of them this past week:<\/p>\n \u201cThings are going well. Still having to find time to make the runs work, but I will have to do that the rest of my life. Things have been a little crazy on my end. I have accepted a position with an advertising agency in Kansas City, and will be moving within the month. While I won’t technically be a \u2018Local\u2019 Joe, I am still excited for the race.\u201d<\/p>\n On top of that, Carr\u2019s been the only one with a slight injury during this process. \u201cMy knee has been nagging me now that the miles have really started to rack up. I have been keeping ice on it when I can,\u201d said Carr.<\/p>\n It\u2019s so close to race day, these guys can nearly taste it. They are struggling with the same battles all of us come up against. Time, schedules, and even injuries. Hang in there Joes. We\u2019re all rooting for you and can\u2019t wait to see you with your finisher medals on October 14!<\/p>\n Also Read:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Big Difference in Pre- and Post-Workout Snacks<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 5 Reasons Gu Energy Gels Rank as a Top Refueling Choice for Runners<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Get Down and Dirty at Pretty Muddy – a Women’s Only Obstacle Mud Run<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s been a hot summer and those of us who have been training for a fall race have had our fair share of struggles. Even the most seasoned runners have had to take extra water breaks, adjust our paces, and … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/john.jpg\" "\\"john\\"")
<\/a>John Thompson<\/strong> was featured in a true weight loss story here at DietsInReview.com<\/a><\/strong> in January. At that time he’d lost 155 pounds; today he stands two pounds shy of a 200 pound total loss in the last two years! He saw the opportunity of the half marathon as another challenge to take on as he continues to grow healthier. John has hit nearly every workout prescribed for him and said that as of today, \u201cI am doing pretty well, still losing weight, still getting faster and farther.\u201d John also comments how his weekends are littered with workouts, something he never imagined just a few years ago.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/jennifer.jpg\" "\\"jennifer\\"")
<\/a>Jennifer White<\/strong> can be seen many weekends right by John\u2019s side as they meet up for long runs together. She always encourages her teammates and admitted that she likes how the running is changing her shape. Recently, she\u2019s definitely struggled with finding the time for her runs as she hosted a very successful inaugural 5K for the organization she created, ICT SOS<\/a><\/strong>, to help stop human trafficking. The race was this weekend and Jennifer said, \u201cMy training has come to a screeching halt the last week and a half as we prepare for Race for Freedom but I plan to be back out there running again Sunday!”<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/cassandra.jpg\" "\\"cassandra\\"")
<\/a>Cassandra Schwartz<\/strong> has been a fun Joe to watch from the beginning. She took on the challenge knowing it would be hard and she’s never been shy about stating how hard it really is. Admitting that she had no prior athletic experiences, she was truly starting from scratch. The coolest thing about this non-athlete? The girl has become a runner<\/a><\/strong>. She completed a 10K in July with two other Joes. Best yet, a few weeks ago she even muttered the words, \u201cI\u2019d like to try for the full marathon next year.\u201d Her biggest hurdle today is her busyness, too. But thankfully she\u2019s found running to be a good thing. \u201cIt’s been difficult fitting in trainings due to schedule and conflicts. I’m actually really looking forward to my long run Saturday. The alone time is much needed,\u201d said Schwartz.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/nathan.jpg\" "\\"nathan\\"")
<\/a>Nathan Carr<\/strong>, our big, tall, football player, will stand high above most other runners come race day. His stature does not make you think runner, but he\u2019s getting the job done and proving that anyone can do it with proper training. Having watched Carr run his first mile back in the spring, it\u2019s been really exciting to see him keep with it. He, Schwartz, and White wore their 10K medals proudly this July and I\u2019m sure Carr never thought he\u2019d get that far when he started. He\u2019s definitely had his share of time struggles this summer. Just this week he updated us on his latest status.<\/p>\n
\nPhotos by Justin Ochs <\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"