Runner Spotlight

Name:  Colin Eden
Nickname:  "The Brit"
Age:  47

​What’s your running story?
I was always interested and involved in sports growing up in England.  I always thought of myself as being in good shape, even after college with 15 years of no exercise at all!!  Then my 9 year old asked me to run with her on the finale run of Girl’s on the Run.  Of course I said yes and so began that 5K …… first of any type of exercise in about 15 years.  Needless to say, when Ciara wanted to stop for a water break, I was only too happy to accommodate.  That was a great day for me.  I was a proud father, but also it woke me up.  If I was to hang with my girls, I had to go the extra mile and set a good example. 
 
Well that was about 5 years ago.  I’m still running but with my other family….  
I.E. Run Muskegon... 


What is your favorite post race food/drink? 
Well, if I’m with Alana - Chocolate milk and donuts of course.

If I’m with Jeff Church – Bloody Mary’s and Sport’s Pages’ “The Mess”

And with Ryno – PBR.

Jeff and Ryno, Bloody Mary’s and PBR.  Ha!!

What is your most embarrassing running story? 
Not so much embarrassing stories but definitely funny. My wife Pam introduced me to Run Muskegon.  Back them it was called For the Run Of It – Muskegon.  Attendance was spotty at best.  Sometimes only a couple of runners showed up.  Sometimes only about half dozen showed.  I was the only guy for months, literally.  Pam affectionately called Wednesday nights, “Girls Night Out”.  Still makes me laugh thinking back.
 
Next story is about a young man that came to a Saturday run.  He was not an experienced runner that was clear.  So there was me and about 5 or 6 young ladies running through North Muskegon and this guy says, “Wow, these Chicks are hard core!”.  Well I love my girls, and just so you know, I’m possessive.  Like I said, the poor guy wasn’t an experienced runner and so it was too bad his first 6 mile ever run was with me.  I’m positive he was sore for the next couple of days.  Don’t believe I ever saw him again……  oh well.
 
What’s your favorite running distance?
 Easy is better – 5k’s are rewarding but right now I am try for HM’s so my overall average pace this year has dropped by about a minute or 2.  More 5K’s next year….
 
What is your favorite city to run in? 
Muskegon of course.  Wednesday night, by the lake, sail boats on the Muskegon Lake.  Can’t beat it or running by Lake Michigan.  We live in such a great place.
 
 
What is your best running memory? 
There’s a few….
 

• For the Run Of It – Muskegon.  First night meeting Alana, she brought her dogs, just in case I was a wierdo or something Ha!!.  I brought Pam and the girls were on their bikes.  Wow it was so windy, I had to push the girls in the wind.  Great memories.
• Ciara – GOTR
• Kalamazoo Marathon, mile 20 seeing Jenn Vanderstelt and a host of Run Muskegon friends.  Very uplifting for sure.
• Ryno’s first 10K.
• Jenn Vanderstelt – Post Saturday morning run - eating cupcakes in the snow in the parking lot of the Nature Preserve.  Wow she could bake!!
• And finally, Ragnar -  Michigan 2016.  We did Muskegon proud!!

 
Favorite Places to Run:
 I love trail runs.  By far.  Trails are awesome.
 
Best PR: 
5k: 24:23
Half Marathon  1:55:00 ish - 2013 Octoberfest Old Boy’s my first HM, trained with Alana.  Good times, I learned so much that year.
 
Did you run before joining Run Muskegon? 
 Nope.  Only to the car.
 

Why did you join Run Muskegon?  
 Why?!   I didn’t have a choice,.  Have you met Alana?  (I love her so much.  She’s family now).
 
 
 
If you had to nominate a runner for us to feature next week, who should we talk to?
Has to be Shawn Church!!
 
 
What would you say to anyone looking to run with Run Muskegon? 
If you are looking to start from scratch, say Couch to 5K, we can help. 
If you are bored of running alone, looking for some company, we have a great fun team.
If you are looking for a challenge or for knowledgeable leaders with experience, we have that too.
For me, it was the friends who became my family that kept me coming back.  Run Muskegon changed everything.