Hi! We're Ben & Steph. We've been married since 2008, and are parents to two fur babies named Todd and Toby.
We met when Ben joined the Executive Board of a running organization that I (Steph) was on. It was not love at first sight, but after over a year of being acquaintances and at our second meeting, we got to know each other better. Then sparks flew and things moved pretty naturally and quickly! We got married on 08-08-08 in a small ceremony, and lived on the West side of Indianapolis for two years. In 2010, we sold the Indy house and moved to Bloomington so we could be closer to his work and family. We love our current home, this town, the running here, and the people in it!
We're busybodies -- there's always something going on around here, but when we have free time, we're out playing in the park with the puppy, traveling (we take annual trips to Colorado), or stand-up paddleboarding out on Monroe Lake.
We started this blog in 2010. Since running is a big part of our lives, we named it Bartleys Run... that's what we do! But, you won't all find running-related chatter on here. BartleysRun is a glimpse of our adventures, life, travel, and everyday happenings. Oh, and occasionally dumb stuff.
About Steph
I work at an insurance company helping big companies make their workplaces safe for their employees. My degree is a B.S. in Industrial Engineering, and while I only occasionally use my "college knowledge," I never thought I'd have a job I get so excited about! Every day is like an episode of the show "How It's Made," and I never get tired of learning and seeing new things. Work varies daily and I travel all around Indiana, which fits myshort attention span on-the-go personality. I see construction sites, hospitals, office buildings, farms, truckers, factories... and it's fun.
When I'm not working, I love taking on projects around the house - anything from building furniture, painting my own artwork, sewing new pillow covers, or just rearranging the furniture. (Ben would tell you I leave no lamp, chair, or rug un-purchased!) I'm also learning to use a DSLR camera in conjunction with my house endeavors. It's only going so-so.
What else? I'm a huge Ohio State fan - I grew up just outside of Cleveland and went to OSU (of course I had football season tickets!). I've never lived outside of the Midwest but love everything about Colorado. I live/run for food. I'm a busy-body, and I am not good at resisting impulse purchases (or Sour Patch Kids). I have a black thumb and have killed every plant I've ever owned. I love the no-pressure attitude of signing up for races last-minute. I'm a borderline Pinterest addict when it comes to clothes, food, and interior design. I'm a huge nerd when it comes to computers. And then there's lists. I love lists.
On the running front, I first ran in elementary/middle school for the Presidential Physical Fitness Challenge, the mile run (7th grade mile run PR ~12 minutes). I hated it. Running was terrible. Later, I joined track my freshman year of high school - it was one of the few sports you didn't have to be good at to be on the team! I accidentally went with the distance girls, and after trying - gasp - throwing, I went back to distance. I was mostly a mid-pack runner, but I had enough success with my first season in the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m runs that I kept running through summer and joined the cross country team fall of my sophomore year. It turns out running consistently is a good thing: I eventually got fast enough to be one of the top 7 varsity runners by the end of the season sophomore year. By senior year, I ran fast enough to make varsity every week, earned MVP, and placed Second Team All-Conference (and was close, but never made it out of Districts). Cue embarrassing high school photo.
Freshman year of college, running took a backseat and I was mostly a recreational runner. That summer, I ran my first half marathon, the State to State in Oxford, OH. I joined the Running Club at Ohio State my sophomore year and couldn't believe I hadn't sooner. Practices were casual - just three times a week, and I ran a few other half marathons in college (Cleveland Half Marathon, Capital City Half) and a handful of small 5Ks. I made some great friends in the club who I still visit (as often as I can) today... while still vowing I'd never do anything longer than a half marathon.
Now, I run with the Bloomington Area Runners Association (BARA) - a pack of runners of all paces and backgrounds. It's great to be a part of a running group! I try to run with other community running groups and store groups when I'm on the road and traveling... it's always a new and unique experience running with other "packs."
What's next?
I'm not really sure what's next, but I take things day by day, and give every race my best performance. I'll admit that I still consider myself more of a "road runner" and love flat courses (which you'll never find in B-Town). While I'm not dead-set on a particular distance, I'm enjoying trying my hand at whatever challenge you have to throw out, and ultras have been really fun. I'm now in uncharted territory and experimenting with food and training methods, so you'll see more of that on the blog in the future.
My running philosophies are unique compared to most. I say...
Don't have a plan - just run. Don't run because you feel like you have to. Be around people who inspire and motivate you... and be like them. If you're having a bad running day, call it a day. Try things you've never done before (trails, mountains, loops, distances). Signing up for a race hours/days in advance means no pressure. Smile - you'll run faster and feel better. Eating: garbage in, garbage out. Say hello when you pass another runner, because they're part of the club too. Don't follow me - I'll get us lost. And when you're racing, have fun. Always have fun.
We're busybodies -- there's always something going on around here, but when we have free time, we're out playing in the park with the puppy, traveling (we take annual trips to Colorado), or stand-up paddleboarding out on Monroe Lake.
So, we hope you're both entertained and inspired each time you visit BartleysRun.
Enjoy and stop back soon!
About Steph
I work at an insurance company helping big companies make their workplaces safe for their employees. My degree is a B.S. in Industrial Engineering, and while I only occasionally use my "college knowledge," I never thought I'd have a job I get so excited about! Every day is like an episode of the show "How It's Made," and I never get tired of learning and seeing new things. Work varies daily and I travel all around Indiana, which fits my
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| Make the look work for you! Hair nets? Safety vest? Steel toes? No prob. |
What else? I'm a huge Ohio State fan - I grew up just outside of Cleveland and went to OSU (of course I had football season tickets!). I've never lived outside of the Midwest but love everything about Colorado. I live/run for food. I'm a busy-body, and I am not good at resisting impulse purchases (or Sour Patch Kids). I have a black thumb and have killed every plant I've ever owned. I love the no-pressure attitude of signing up for races last-minute. I'm a borderline Pinterest addict when it comes to clothes, food, and interior design. I'm a huge nerd when it comes to computers. And then there's lists. I love lists.
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| Always and forever: an Ohio State BUCKEYE |
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| The Running Club at OSU - before a club cross country meet at Ball State. It was the only team competition opportunity all year! |
After college, I lived/worked in a Chicago suburb and ran on a treadmill daily, unintentionally training for my first marathon. That marathon was my first BQ! Right after that, we got married and moved to Indianapolis. Then I learned you should never say never. See, Ben constantly inspires and pushes me farther than I ever imagine. Since then, I've:
- Completed a half iron triathlon, the Rev3 Cedar Point Half.
- Run some more marathons, including three Boston Marathons, Chicago, NYC. My favorite - Bayshore and NYC tie.
- Finished my first trail race, the Dances With Dirt Gnawbone 50k, in May 2012.
- Ran my first 50-mile at Rocky Raccoon in February 2013.
- Completed a 12-hour race at the Hawthorn Half Day in June 2013.
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| Me, Erin, and our new buddy after my first ultra, DWD 50k. |
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| To this day I still have no idea what was going on here. |
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| Group rides with runners! |
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| Beginning the uphill climb on the Mesa Trail in Boulder, CO. |
My running philosophies are unique compared to most. I say...
Don't have a plan - just run. Don't run because you feel like you have to. Be around people who inspire and motivate you... and be like them. If you're having a bad running day, call it a day. Try things you've never done before (trails, mountains, loops, distances). Signing up for a race hours/days in advance means no pressure. Smile - you'll run faster and feel better. Eating: garbage in, garbage out. Say hello when you pass another runner, because they're part of the club too. Don't follow me - I'll get us lost. And when you're racing, have fun. Always have fun.
About Ben
Under construction... check back!
Under construction... check back!
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