Jared Earley: Winning The Race Of Life

It is often said the decisions we make five years ago are the result of how we are living now. Local runner Jared Earley can certainly attest to this.

In 2011, Earley was at work at The Robert Allen Group, where I met and worked with him. He had suffered a minor heart episode that kept him out a few days and could have killed him.

He decided at that time he was too young to be a statistic and needed to make some life changes. The 30 something fun loving, Gaffney Indian, South Carolina Gamecock and New York Jets fan had to get more active. He won a bet with some friends and began running. Now not only is he running, he is sprinting. Earley went from hardly exercising to winning and placing in road races across the Carolinas, including winning the 2014 Peach Festival 10K with a time of 45 minutes.

The bet was actually for $20 to see who could lose the first 20 pounds. The feeling Jared got after he began running was indescribable, and he wanted to kept getting that feeling.

Fast forward to June 2016. Jared has ran over 20 half marathons (his fastest time being 1 hour, 30 minutes), 1 full marathon and he's far from done. He would like to qualify for Boston and run an ultramarathon before the end of the year.

Jared's love for speed, health and running has definitely grown. He said he plans to continue running until he can only crawl.

Earley has got fitted to a neutral shoe. He likes all brands but specifically for 5ks, Jared goes with the lightest shoe possible with little cushion. For halfs and up he goes with more cushion. Nike peg and the Vomero really fits his foot right and compliment his running style.

Jared has gotten faster by doing intervals and a lot of hills. He likes hills better than flat surfaces because they give different muscles rest, while flat surfaces use the same muscles and it gets more tiring. Also, in Cherokee County, there isn't a lot of flat ground. Most of the time it's either you run hills, or you travel somewhere with flatter grounds.

Jared not only does intervals to stay fit, he has become involved with mixed martial arts. It's hard to balance MMA with running.  Therefore, on the days he trains MMA, he has a short running day of no more than four miles at a easy pace.

Earley's most difficult race to date was the Assault on Black Rock, it really took a lot for him to finish. The race is only a seven mile run but it hurts the body more than a full marathon as it is three and a half miles uphill and three and a half miles down, not to mention an elevation of 3500 feet. Wow, just a couple of thousand shy of a mile!

Jared runs alone most of the time, and has never been apart of a running. group. His musical playlist consist a lot of Atmosphere, Kid Cudi, Macklemore and Lil Wayne. Earley's advice to someone who is just starting out is don't get down on yourself when you can't run as far as someone else or as fast  He states that will come with time. Also, brace yourself as the pain is only temporary so start off slow and you will get better.

It's been a pleasure knowing this person and watching his journey. This is only the beginning for Jared Earley. He continues to run, and will scorch any finish line there is.

Signs You're A Runner

Warm weather is now upon us, especially now that July is here. Nearly everyone is doing some sort of outdoor fitness. One of the most popular ones is running.

I have gotten back into running over the past year, previously writing about "runner's high." You see folks out and about early in the morning to late at night running, walking, and/or jogging. It's that season.

Also, for my fellow runners out there, here's a sign that you are a runner or have become a runner.

1. You have purchased merchandise such as bright T-shirts, shorter shorts, headbands, bright vests, and watches like Garmin and the newly famous FitBit.

2. You buy new tennis shoes every few months, and have them specially fitted for your foot.

3. You know what runner's knot is.

4. You have a set day (for most , the end of the week) to do your long runs.

5. You have at least three running routes.

6. You have raced in or are already registered for at least three races this year.

7. You go to bed and arise early so you can get early morning runs in. Got to beat the heat and humidity!

8.  You have a steady supply of Band-Aids and possibly nipple guards.

9. You have found wireless earphones can be your friend on your runs.

10.  You're in a running club (shout-out to RTR!)

11.  You keep a steady supply of running gels, water, hand towels, and bananas.

12. You know and like to avoid the hilly roads and trails.

13. You pay more attention to the weather forecast and take full advantage on days when it's between 60-75 degrees.

14. You have actually ran in light rain.

15. You have a favorite race that you run annually.

16. You schedule everything (work, vacations, social outings) around running.

17. You have apps on your phone such as Nike running and RunKeeper.

What are some other ways you can define yourself as a runner? Do you relate to all or some of the above?