Runner Spotlight

Name:  Kim Plummer
Nickname: Kim, (some still call me Coach Kim) Grandma, and mom (as I tend to get a little bossy at times)
Age:  ​​59 years young, yep new age group next year finally!

What’s your running story?
I took up the sport of running in middle school as a means of cross training for roller speed skating. I was active in roller speed skating as a competitor (a few state/regional titles) and coaching (named 1988 Michigan Coach of the Year) until retiring in 1989. In the 1980s I did a bit of coaching track and cross country at the High School level and loved it. When my youngest daughter started running cross country in the 90s I decided I really missed it, it was time to get myself and my health back together, I stopped smoking and my not so healthy life style, and took up running again. I ran my first marathon (Chicago) in 1999 and have finished 9 to date and have added my first Ultra and Tri to my calendar. My late husband used to tell me I was sadistic, not crazy just sadistic because I liked to run forever and create pain….. Only runners understand that. 
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What is your favorite post race food/drink? 
Bloody Mary or Red Wine and any salty food. My Family on more than one occasion has been at the finish line of my marathons with a glass of Red Wine. 
 
What is your most embarrassing running story? 
That is a tossup. Last year on a training run having to go potty and deciding to not step of the trail to far because we knew there was no one else out there, WRONG…he came running right up behind me, You all know how hard it is to pull those sweaty shorts back up? My sister in-law, Patty says “don’t worry you will never see him again” Wrong again, guess who walked up to me in the parking lot.
The other most embarrassing was finishing the Grand Rapids marathon in 2005 totally dehydrated and having the course marshals trying to convince me to drop out. That did not end up so pretty, I finished but I was in bad shape from being seriously dehydrated. A lesson was learned in these embarrassing moments 1. Always know your surroundings 2. Listen to your body.

What’s your favorite running distance?
I love the half marathon. 

What is your favorite city to run in? 
Well I prefer trails but if I have to go with a city I would say home town Muskegon, we have so many great places to run. 

 
What is your best running memory? 
One that I flash back to often is while running my first Marathon, Chicago in 1999, seeing my late husband and family at the 18 mile marker. My husband had just been released from the hospital two days before after being diagnosed with a serious form of leukemia and being told he only had a few days to live. (they were wrong, he lived another 15 years) He was able to make it to 3 different spots that day to cheer me on and seeing him getting around gave me the inspiration to keep on pushing through to the end. (He would go on to tell others years later that he ran a marathon that day also.)

Favorite Places to Run? 
Manistee Trail Head of the North Country Trial, there is also a stretch along M37 by my place in Baldwin that has great hills I love to run, and I enjoy a good run on the bike trails through down town Muskegon.

Favorite Music to run to?
I don’t play music while I run but I do like it when Becki Mueller shares the Michigan Fight Song with me while we are on long runs or races. GO BLUE

Best PR: 
Well that depends, I held the Muskegon Big Red High School record for many years in the 880,  2:28:48 but other than that I am proud of the 4:32 marathon I ran and my 5k best since 2005 was 25:30 and this year finally being under 1:00:00 for a 10k was a thrill for me.

Did you run before joining Run Muskegon? 
Yes for many years some with other clubs that fell apart but mostly on my own with family. 

Why did you join Run Muskegon?  
Because I wanted the challenge of improving and getting to know other runners and what the heck Becki, Jack, Eric and Mike were there so it had to be fun. (we used to hike together before running)

If you had to nominate a runner for us to feature next week, who should we talk to?
I would like to hear every ones story but from the start of getting this honor myself (thank you Ryno) I really have wanted you all to hear Mike Thaler’s story. He will inspire us all.


What would you say to anyone looking to run with Run Muskegon? 
Join us you will find it a great group of people and have lots of fun. Run or walk it is a great group of people to inspire you.  
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