Runner Spotlight - December 2023

Lindsey Helsen

Meet Lindsey Helsen! Lindsey is a 27 year old who comes with sass, sarcasm, and kindness in her heart wherever she goes. She has always lived in the Muskegon area - growing up in Ravenna, but graduated from Fruitport High School in 2014. After high school Lindsday continued her education at MCC where she also played softball for two years. Lindsay currently works in Human Resources at a family owned Aerospace Manufacturing business in Muskegon.  Before landing in HR, Lindsay worked in health care for a few years which really opened her eyes to the importance of maintaining a sustainable healthy and balanced lifestyle. Which translates to: she enjoys physical fitness, nutrient-dense foods, along with pizza and brews. ​

When Lindsay is not running or at work you can find her enjoying time at her family cottage (the Sugar Shack) in Fremont, snuggling with her cats (Jeff & Moxie), cozying up at home with a book, watching Schitt’s Creek (on repeat, of course), attending a yoga class at Rootdown, playing cribbage/cards or having an immense amount of fun with friends and family.

As a part of our Runner Spotlight, we also asked Lindsay to answer a few fun questions:

1. How long have you been running? 

• I ran my first 5K in June 2023 at the Seaway Run. Prior to that I was running 1-2 miles before strength training workouts. If we include running between softball bases then I would say…since I was 7.

2. Do you race? If so, what is your most memorable race experience?

• As of 5 months ago, yes! My most memorable race was Ragnar 2023 - I probably cried for the entire last mile of my third leg because I felt proud, supported, capable, celebrated and all of the other good vibey feelings when you’ve accomplished something you thought was unimaginable for yourself. Ok, maybe some tears were shed due to pain, but overall it’s a feeling I will never forget.

3. Ever run in a costume? If so, what?

• Not yet (key word..yet)! 

4. Only running shoes for me are…

• I’m still on my first pair of Hokas…they have treated me well so far, but I’m open to other brands as I continue my running journey.

5. What is your worst running-related injury?

• Thankfully, no injuries so far. 

6. Hot or cold weather runner?

• Hot weather running 100% - BRING ON THE SUNSHINE AND SWEAT! I love it!

7. What is your motivation for running?

• Goodness, there are so many reasons, but the main one is, why not run?  We are only offered this lifetime once (that we know of) so why not run your first 5K?  Why not join the Run Muskegon membership on your first night?  Why not join a Ragnar team your first year “getting into” running?  Why not try, fail, and succeed at things in life even when they seem hard, intimidating, or maybe a little crazy.  As the great rapper Eminem once said, “if you had one shot or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment would you capture it or just let it slip?”.  That song is also a motivator.

8. If I didn't run I....

• I would have missed out on meeting all of the amazing people of Run Muskegon.  

9. I can't run without…

• Music used to be a must-have while running, but that has since changed as I learned to enjoy the sound of my footsteps, birds, nature, and other outdoor noises. I do my best not to depend on anything in order to run(except maybe shoes). I think this mindset shift has helped keep me grounded in the gift and privilege of running.

10. What's the farthest you have run at one time?

• 9 miles…shooting for my first half marathon in 2024.

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