Tonya Thayer, 34
Executive Director, Rockford Habitat for Humanity

I've been running for...

20 years this August.

I started running because...

I got cut from the Freeport High School Freshman Volleyball team.  To get a waiver out of gym class, I needed a fall sport. Cross Country was the only one I didn't have to try out for.

If I could no longer run I...

Would join the YMCA crew team.

My favorite run...

Was around the lake in Lake Delavan. About 8 of us played hooky from work on a Friday last year for a training run up there.  After we cleaned up, we stopped at a wine store and Taco Bell before heading home.

My favorite thing to do after a hard workout is...

Drink chocolate milk.  In the winter, take a long, hot shower, then eat a huge breakfast. In the summer, the shower is barely warm.

I like to run with...

Stacy Krueger, but he is too fast. Occasionally, he will offer me a Charity Run, and jog with me for a while.

The strangest place I've ever run is...

In a large corporation's parking lot in Greenville, SC. I was traveling for my last job, but the roads near my hotel were too busy.  The path I was directed to went into a huge parking lot.  I covered 6 miles circling that lot. Fortunately, the parking lot was well landscaped with ponds, ducks, trees, and flowers, unlike the path which was in an open field with no shade from the sun.  At one point, two guys in a pick-up truck asked if I was looking for something.  I wonder if the company had security cameras in that lot?

When I'm not running I like to...

Swim and bike.  When I'm not exercising, I like to hang out at the Habitat for Humanity construction site. I pretend like I know how to build a home, but really just shoot the breeze with the future homeowners and volunteers.  Oh yeah, and there's free lunch on Saturdays.

I am inspired by...

Anyone who makes maintaining good health a top priority.

The local runner I most admire is...

Jeff Miller. He trains very hard and is incredibly talented, but always keeps the workouts fun.  When I least expect it, he will say an encouraging word that will make me a better athlete or person.

To push myself on a run I...

Tell myself the discomfort won't be forever.  Suffer a bit now, and the next effort I'll be stronger.

My greatest running accomplishment was...

Not walking during the marathon portion of the Florida Ironman triathlon in 2004 ... except to get fluids and gels at the aid stations. To this day, of my 5 marathons, it's the only one that I didn't walk during.  Previously, I had only completed one open marathon and finished in 4 hours, 21 minutes. The Ironman marathon took 4 hours, 28 minutes...much quicker than my goal of 5 hours.  It was a very weird experience to climb off my bike after over 6 hours of riding and say to myself "yippee, now I ONLY have to run a marathon."  I must have been CRAZY!!!

After 18 triathlons, I had my first flat tire during the Great Illini 1/2 Ironman in Mattoon. I guess I was due. The flat occurred with just 6 miles left in the bike portion. All those people who said to practice changing a flat were right.  It took me 22 minutes. Pathetic, I know.   On the bright side, I had a nice 22 minute rest before I started my 1/2 marathon. Thanks to the rest, I had a great run. In the end, I placed 3rd in my age group. The winner of my age group was only 7 minutes ahead of me.

My next goal is...

To qualify for the Boston Marathon.

My advice to other runners is...

To start slow. Gradually build a solid base, and prepare your body for any type of distance events. There are SO many injuries experienced from increasing distances too quickly.

I plan to run until...

I can't.