Runner Spotlight - March 2024

​Julie Brennan
Julie grew up all over the Midwest but mostly in Kansas City. (Go Chiefs!)  She graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, KS and then did a year as a missionary teacher in Belize while she figured out what she wanted to do with her life. Julie moved to Muskegon in 2012 to be with her now husband who is also from Kansas. She has been married for 8 years and has 2 bonus kids, 14 and 13, and a 2 year old daughter. She now works for MOKA in Human Resources and has been with them almost 7 years. 

1. How long have you been running?
I played lots of different sports growing up and then ran for a few years in college but then life got busy and I stopped. I have now been consistently running since 2017 minus a gap during later pregnancy and having a newborn.

2. Do you race? If so, what is your most memorable race experience?
I do race. I like having a goal that I am working towards. My most memorable race is probably doing my first Ragnar this past September. 

3. Ever run in a costume? If so, what?
I have run in funny socks but that's about it. I'm not opposed to wearing a costume. 

4. Only running shoes for me are...
I have had many pairs of Asics Gel Venture 8 in just about every color. 

5. What is your worst running-related injury?
Nothing major. Just a few tweaked muscles and blisters on my toes. I have also lost a couple toenails. 

6. Hot or cold weather runner?
Definitely, cold weather. 

7. What is your motivation for running?
I started running in 2017 to lose weight, which I did. I lost about 70 pounds! But I found that running has not only improved my physical health but it has improved my mental health as well. 

8. If I didn't run I....
​would have more time for another hobby. 

9. I can't run without...
I really only need my shoes, workout clothes and my garmin. I don't listen to music or anything. It's just me and the road.

10. What's the farthest you have run at one time?
26.2 back in college in 2004.
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11. What brought you to Run Muskegon and why have you stayed?
I found Run Muskegon on Facebook during the winter of 2022/2023 and decided to go to a Wednesday run to try and meet more people in the Muskegon area.

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