My name is Joe. I’m originally from Louisville, but now reside in Southern Indiana. At heart, I’m still very much a Louisvillian! (Go Cards!) I work here, shop here, visit family here, run here, etc….I’m 34 years old and married with 2 wild & crazy little boys.

I started running in late February 2008 after a health scare in November 2007. I’ve lost 65lbs and feel better than I ever have. Looking back, it all started with a challenge from a co-worker to run the 2008 KDF Mini. No way was I prepared for that so I committed to run the 2009 version since I was already exercising and eating healthy. So, off I go….

Last year (2008) I ran 17 races. Distances from 4K to 10K and I enjoyed every minute of it. I plan to do longer distance races in the upcoming year and yes, the KDF Mini Marathon is on that list. My goals are quite different these days and I plan to complete a marathon sometime over the next couple of years with many races between now and then.

Our goal with RunTheVille is to connect area runners and walkers along with promoting the sport of running.

Hello, my name is Tom. I was born in Tulsa, OK, and have moved around a lot over the course of my life. Me and my wife moved to the Louisville area in May of 1999, and have been glad to call it home ever since. I am 38 years old and the IS manager for a heavy construction equipment Dealer in Louisville.

The reason I have joined Joe on this journey is in large part due to my father. I February 2007, I lost my father to a blood clot in his lungs only 5 days after having triple heart bypass surgery. My father had a heart attack and spent a little over a week in the hospital. I got to spend that week with my father in Arkansas, and I made a promise to him to get myself into shape, and to do what I can to ensure that I don’t find myself in the same place. I reached my heaviest at 210 lbs, and have since gotten back down to 200 and shrinking. I hope to get down to around 170.

Running for me is more than just a way to lose weight and get into shape though. It gives me a chance to get outside, and enjoy nature, and to clear my mind. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t easy, but I have truly come to enjoy it in a short period, and actually look forward to getting home, trading the loafers for tennis shoes and hitting the road.

Our current plan is to run several local 5K events in the Kentuckiana area, and an 8 miler in September. Then in 2009 we plan to run the Triple Crown races in Louisville which consists of a 5K, a 10K, and then a 10 Mile run during the month of March, followed by a Kentucky Derby Festival Mini-Marathon. Then In 2010, I plan to run in the Boston Marathon. You have to have goals to achieve.

I hope that our site, and stories, and the stories of others in our forums may inspire you to get off the couch and join us on the road.