Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Runner Profile - Kelly Devine

Meet Kelly Devine


Born:  York, Pennsylvania   March 22, 1984
High School:  Eastern York High School
College:  York College of Pennsylvania
PBs:
Marathon - 2:55:29       
Half Marathon - 1:23:01       
Ten Miler - 62:29
5k - 18:52





Kelly's Story:

I grew up mostly playing basketball and started running as a freshman in high school.  At that point, running was for fun, a way to be with my friends and be active but I didn't really get into racing or running beyond comfort.  Throughout my high school years, I ran cross country and track and played basketball.

When I went to college I knew I wanted to work with children identified with exceptionalities and began working as an in-home therapist for children with Autism.  This wonderful opportunity meant that running would have to be on my own.  To keep myself motivated, I decided to train for my first marathon in the spring of my junior year of college.  After a few marathons with some huge personal bests (3:36, 3:17, 3:07), I finally broke the 3 hour mark and ran a 2:55:29 in New York City in November of 2006.  It was training for marathons and seeing my efforts pay off ignited the fire within me to love more than just running, I began to love pushing my body's limits.  I ran New York City while student teaching in York, PA and decided to move to teach in DC after graduating and joined the Pacer's Racing Team in the fall of 2007.

For me, the longer the race the better.  My strength is in distance and endurance and my favorite races to compete in are 10 milers to marathons (and maybe one day beyond...)

After an injury in the fall of 2008, I took a break from the marathon, coming back to run Marine Corps this year.  Training for and racing the marathon again reminded me of my love for this distance.  Over the next year, my goals are to race better my times in shorter distances in the spring and come back next fall with a marathon personal best.

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